When I Start My Car the Engine Shakes

If your car engine shakes when you start it, it can be a sign of a number of different problems. Some of the most common causes include:

Spark plugs: Worn or fouled spark plugs can cause the engine to misfire, which can lead to shaking.
Ignition coils: Faulty ignition coils can also cause misfires, which can lead to shaking.
Fuel injectors: Clogged or dirty fuel injectors can cause the engine to run lean, which can lead to shaking.
Vacuum leaks: A vacuum leak can cause the engine to run rough, which can lead to shaking.
EGR valve: A faulty EGR valve can cause the engine to run rich, which can lead to shaking.
Timing belt or chain: A stretched or worn timing belt or chain can cause the engine to run out of time, which can lead to shaking.
Engine mounts: Worn or damaged engine mounts can allow the engine to move around excessively, which can lead to shaking.

If you’re experiencing engine shaking when you start your car, it’s important to have it diagnosed by a qualified mechanic as soon as possible. The sooner you get the problem fixed, the less likely it is to cause further damage to your engine.

How to Diagnose Engine Shaking

There are a few things you can do to help diagnose engine shaking:

Check the spark plugs: Remove the spark plugs and inspect them for wear or fouling. If the spark plugs are worn or fouled, they will need to be replaced.
Check the ignition coils: Use a multimeter to test the ignition coils for resistance. If the ignition coils are faulty, they will need to be replaced.
Check the fuel injectors: Remove the fuel injectors and inspect them for clogging or dirt. If the fuel injectors are clogged or dirty, they will need to be cleaned or replaced.
Check for vacuum leaks: Use a vacuum gauge to check for vacuum leaks. If you find any vacuum leaks, they will need to be repaired.
Check the EGR valve: Remove the EGR valve and inspect it for carbon buildup. If the EGR valve is clogged with carbon, it will need to be cleaned or replaced.
Check the timing belt or chain: Inspect the timing belt or chain for wear or stretching. If the timing belt or chain is worn or stretched, it will need to be replaced.
Check the engine mounts: Inspect the engine mounts for wear or damage. If the engine mounts are worn or damaged, they will need to be replaced.

Once you have diagnosed the cause of the engine shaking, you can begin to fix the problem. If you’re not comfortable working on your car yourself, it’s best to take it to a qualified mechanic.

How to Fix Engine Shaking

The best way to fix engine shaking is to address the underlying cause. Once you have diagnosed the cause of the shaking, you can begin to repair or replace the faulty component.

Spark plugs: If the spark plugs are worn or fouled, they will need to be replaced.
Ignition coils: If the ignition coils are faulty, they will need to be replaced.
Fuel injectors: If the fuel injectors are clogged or dirty, they will need to be cleaned or replaced.
Vacuum leaks: If you find any vacuum leaks, they will need to be repaired.
EGR valve: If the EGR valve is clogged with carbon, it will need to be cleaned or replaced.
Timing belt or chain: If the timing belt or chain is worn or stretched, it will need to be replaced.
Engine mounts: If the engine mounts are worn or damaged, they will need to be replaced.

Once you have repaired or replaced the faulty component, the engine shaking should go away. If the shaking persists, it’s possible that there is another underlying problem that needs to be addressed.