How to fix engine vibration

Tiny
PRINGLE
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 NISSAN X-TRAIL
  • 42,000 MILES
My vehicle's engine is vibrating only when I put it in drive or reverse or 1 an 2 etc and it vibrates more when I turn on the AC, but it does not vibrate when in park or neutral it idles great. I cleaned the throttle body I also service it change all the mounts. When you look at the engine when in gear you can see the top part of engine shaking. I was wondering if it was a vacuum line of that sort but it does not lose power or anything of that sort. It still drives great and accelerates great also, it is just the vibration when in drive or any gear accept neutral or park. Help me please the engine is 2500 cc auto.
Wednesday, November 16th, 2011 AT 5:53 PM

14 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Yes, a vacuum leak would do it. I would also re-check the mounts and make sure nothing is rubbing or touching metal or the body to cause the vibration.

Roy
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Wednesday, November 16th, 2011 AT 5:58 PM
Tiny
PRINGLE
  • MEMBER
  • 20 POSTS
The mounts are new and good, it is the engine itself that is shaking. Can you tell me which vacuum hose you think will cause this problem so I can go straight to that hose and check? Just name of the part that the hose go to. Thanks.
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Wednesday, November 16th, 2011 AT 9:51 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
Hey PRINGLE,

An engine vibration at idle can only be caused by a few things. Here are a couple of guides that should help you find the problem:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-engine-vacuum-gauge

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-vibration-at-idle

Please let us know happens so it will help others.

Best, Ken
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Wednesday, December 14th, 2016 AT 4:06 PM
Tiny
DANIEL52
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Hi PRINGLE,
Was your problem solved? What was it? I have the same issue in my Xtrail?
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Monday, October 23rd, 2017 AT 5:25 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
We are sorry this person never got back to us, can you shoot a quick video of the engine running so I can see what is going on? Upload it here to the site.

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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Wednesday, October 25th, 2017 AT 3:45 PM
Tiny
JONQUERO
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Hope Pringle share how his problem got fixed as I have the same exact problem with my vehicle.
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Monday, May 14th, 2018 AT 5:43 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
When you say the same problem can you tell if the engine is vibrating but running okay or is it not running right? Can you shoot a quick video so I can see whats going on? You can upload it here in your reply.
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Monday, May 14th, 2018 AT 10:09 AM
Tiny
JONQUERO
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
The engine is running okay. The problem or vibration only happens when IRS in D or R and vibration comes out when A/C is on headlight is on and hazard or signal is on. It does not vibrate when in park or neutral.

Hope this help.

I will go to a technician later to help diagnose.
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Tuesday, May 15th, 2018 AT 2:12 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,574 POSTS
So you have the vibration in gear only and with the AC on and headlights? Does it stop vibrating if you lightly step on the throttle? If it only does it in idle then I would suspect that the idle air system is partly plugged and the rpm's are not rising to match the increased load from the accessories. The first step would be to clean the throttle body, they build up with carbon and dirt, that blocks the air just enough to cause a lower idle speed and the engine struggles. This would not show up under normal driving but only under higher loads at very low throttle.
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Tuesday, May 15th, 2018 AT 9:02 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Does the engine move excessively when switching it from drive to reverse It could be engine mounts they are causing the engine vibration to be transferred to the car. Lift the hood and watch the engine to confirm the issue.
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Tuesday, May 15th, 2018 AT 11:28 AM
Tiny
ISKO KO CRUZ
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Hi, same in my car Xtrail t30 vibration in inside while in park or neutral. Engine mount, spark plug, clean throttle body all those things are already I'm do it.
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Wednesday, March 2nd, 2022 AT 7:01 AM
Tiny
ISKO KO CRUZ
  • MEMBER
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Also, while A/C is on more vibration come in the car.
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Wednesday, March 2nd, 2022 AT 7:02 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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Good morning,

Check all your motor mounts for any worn or broken. That will cause a vibration in gear.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-motor-mounts

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/vibration-noise

Roy
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Wednesday, March 2nd, 2022 AT 8:43 AM
Tiny
SQM
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,383 POSTS
I have attached the diagrams showing the engine mount locations as well as the torque specifications.

Please let us know of any questions.
Thank you.
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Saturday, March 5th, 2022 AT 5:38 PM

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