Engine shakes at idle?

Tiny
YAVASMESUT
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 BMW X5
  • V8
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 78,000 MILES
Car shakes when I stop at stop light while break is applied and in gear. Shake is louder when ac is on. When I turn ac off it used to go away, but now it get less but does not go away. It is also louder in the morning. It gets little louder when I turn the wheel a little to the right and it keeps shaking when I keep the wheel at that position.
rpm at idle is at 500. Every now and then it goes under 500 when I am stopping at stop signs and stuff ( happens rarely). I had bmw to change the valve cover gaskets 3 times cause they could not get it done right at first. I thought this might have been because of the old spark plugs. I was planning on changing the plugs, but coil #4 failed before. So I changed the coil and the plugs at the same time. When I pulled the plug #8, bottom part( where it sparks) was covered with oil, but none on top part that coil connector plugs in. Took it to bmw again and asked them if they might have done something while changing the gasket, but I was told that valve gasket was good. 3 days later. I got a engine code p0300 which is random misfire. So I took it back to bmw again and asked them to see if there were still oil on the plug and if it causes a short. They came back and told me it was #8 coil needed to be changed. I changed the coil as well, but the shaking and the all I mentioned above still there. Would that be because there is a vacuum leak or vanos seal or fuel filter or exhaust or engine mounts? I just cant think of anything that I can go to dealer and ask them to look for. I know if I take it to bmw they will want to change so many things and none of them will fix the problem unless I change everything possible.
thanks a lot.
Saturday, October 23rd, 2010 AT 1:12 AM

1 Reply

Tiny
SQM
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,383 POSTS
Hello,

It does sounds like a vacuum leak.
With a vacuum leak when there is extra load on the engine it tends to run rougher. Which is one of the symptom you are experiencing with the A/C on.
Do a visual inspection of the engine bay and look for any cracked /broken or unhooked vacuum hoses.
You can also test if the intake manifold gasket is leaking by using carb cleaner.
Start the engine and spry the carb cleaner around the intake manifold gasket, if there is a leak the engine will run different, it will likely increase RPM and when the cleaner burns off it will go back down.

Here is a helpful guide:

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

Is your check engine light illuminated? If it a issue with misfiring it typically triggers the engine light.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Please let me know of any questions.
Thank you.
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Wednesday, September 8th, 2021 AT 7:54 AM

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