Van shaking at stop lights

2005 FORD FREESTAR
128,840 MILES • AUTOMATIC
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LORI ANN STOCKS
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Whenever I pull up to a stop sign or stop light it shakes and feels like it is going shut off. Also, when I first start up my van thick white smoke comes from the exhaust pipe.
Feb 7, 2017 at 3:17 PM
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CARADIODOC
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 34,321 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
The shaking is typical of a misfire, most commonly due to worn spark plugs or lack of scheduled tune-ups. White smoke is a sign of burning engine coolant due to a leaking cylinder head gasket. The clue is the level will be dropping in the coolant reservoir. That leakage can also cause a misfire if it is bad enough.
Feb 7, 2017 at 3:50 PM
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LORI ANN STOCKS
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  • 2 POSTS
So I basically need new spark plugs and a tune up?
Feb 7, 2017 at 4:17 PM
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STEVE W.
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 15,200 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Not if it is burning coolant as the smoke suggests. Have the cooling system pressure tested. If it does not hold pressure it could be bad head gasket(s) or a crack in a head or block.
Feb 8, 2017 at 5:00 AM
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