Engine Shaking Like Michael J. Fox(too soon?)

Mustang_Sally · Jan 7, 2013

The 5.0 is idling pretty rough (i.e. shaking the entire car, hearing the door panels rattle, etc...) , and when I push on the gas lightly as if to move up in heavy traffic, it shudders until I get to about 1500 RPM, then smooths out...kinda. Still not a super smooth ride. It's throwing a CEL in the morning, about 30 seconds into my voyage, and quickly blinks off until I get on the highway, then it stays on until I exit. Nobody in Santa Fe does OBD-1 testing that I can find. I've tried the jump wire method but I must not be hooking into the terminals properly, KOEO never starts.

Here's what I have planned for the weekend to solve the problem:

Clean the MAF
Clean the IAC
Clean the Throttle Body
Replace Spark Plugs/Wires
Replace Fuel Filter
Replace Air Filter
Purchase OBD-1 Scanner if (I don't run out of money)

Let me know if I'm missing anything!

Thanks Fellas,

Mustang Sally

belber095 · Jan 7, 2013

I was gonna suggest plugs and wires and the MAF and IAC but looks like you got that covered already. keep us updated!

TanTop94 · Jan 7, 2013

I say harmonic balancer....that's the only time your car should ever shake that bad, unless your motor or transmission mounts are messed up too.

Mustang_Sally · Jan 7, 2013

TanTop94 said:
I say harmonic balancer....that's the only time your car should ever shake that bad, unless your motor or transmission mounts are messed up too.

That crossed my mind, but it doesn't wobble when I look at it. I hope to God it's not an HB, I don't have the tools for that kind of job, nor the trust to have a local mechanic do it. How many hours am I looking at if I do take it to a shop?

whiplash473 · Jan 7, 2013

1hr if hes a good tech....probably get charged for 2 tho

TanTop94 · Jan 7, 2013

Mustang_Sally said:
That crossed my mind, but it doesn't wobble when I look at it. I hope to God it's not an HB, I don't have the tools for that kind of job, nor the trust to have a local mechanic do it. How many hours am I looking at if I do take it to a shop?

Do you have any rubber popping out of it? Is it really rusted? Have you ever had to replaced it before? I say harmonic balancer because my car did the same thing when it went up, shaking to the point i could see my door panels about to rattle off lol! I replaced mine in my garage it didnt take to long, take the belt off, remove the fan, jack the front up, there are 4 bolts on the crank pulley, then youll knock that off and then the balancer has one main bolt holding it on, very hard to get off, I used an extension from a jack to break it loose, soo once you have that out youll have to rent a puller to get it off and back on, i got one from autozone but then had to use a spacer to get it back on there, thing wasn't long enough for reinstall thats why i used a spacer. But taking it too a shop might be alittle easier lmao!

CC'S95GT · Jan 7, 2013

I vote for the HB too.

Mustang_Sally · Jan 7, 2013

Thanks for the write up Tan. Nope no rubber or rust, that is what is perplexing me. Might as well swap it anyway, if only I had the tools to do this! Looks like a mechanic is going to make a cool $150 off me...shucks.

I'm still going to follow through with the rest of the list, no sense in not, but, I've got a finite amount of cash this week, should I spend it all on the HB or do the list?

TanTop94 · Jan 7, 2013

I'd say it is your HB, but Im just going off by what you said...you should try to see if you can come get a mechanic to inspect it, but idk what kind of BS they might try to feed you, or if they will even be able to figure it out. I only trust one mechanic, and he is my Uncle lol!!

Mustang_Sally · Jan 7, 2013

I just found these on RockAuto great price. Quality parts?

DORMAN Part # 594024

ATP Part # 102014

TanTop94 · Jan 7, 2013

Both seem to be fine, I can't remeber what brand mine is...I bought it from AAP

Mustang_Sally · Jan 8, 2013

Put the HB in, what a difference!!! It rides like a brand new car, I am soooo damn excited. Performance improved, shifting in the AODE improved, We did 115 on the way home from the shop, glided like it was on ice.

THANK YOU, I LOVE YOU GUYS and THIS FORUM!

Mustang Sally