My van shakes and shimmys

18,600 MILES • 6 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
CHRISANDTOMS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Last night i was driving my van and it started shimming and shakes when i first started out but once it got up to speed it would hardly shake why would it shake and shimmy when i am going slow and not when I'm going faster?
Nov 21, 2008 at 6:26 AM
Avatar
SQM
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 6,383 POSTS
Hello,

You might have a vacuum leak. Many times, a vacuum leak would be more noticeable a low engine speed but less noticeable as the vehicle drives and has higher engine speed.
It could be due to cracked hoses, it can also be due to leaking intake gasket.
Inspect for any loose or damaged hose. The intake gasket leak can be tested by spraying carb cleaner at the base of the manifold with the engine running. If there is a leak the engine will react to it and idle high. Then it will go back down.

Take a look at this guide, it covers the typical issues and how to check them:

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

Run through this and let me know what you find.
Thank you.
Nov 11, 2021 at 2:41 PM
Add a reply
Join 2CarPros for free, one of the most advanced car repair communities on the internet. From first-time drivers to seasoned mechanics, everyone is welcome to reply, share details, and get better answers. You can add a temporary image or video first; uploads are limited to 20 MB.

Frequently Asked Problems for This Vehicle