I have a 96 3.2 TL with 153k miles and it runs great in all respects, except for one odd thing.

When I start it in the morning (I always keep it in the garage at night) sometimes it rocks after the engine is first started - maybe once a week.

I had the engine mounts checked and one was broke - I had it replaced 2 months ago. The rocking is still going on the same as before the mount was replaced.

I bought this car from another person in August, 2004 with 119k miles, so no telling what happened before, but this rocking thing has been going on for about 4 months now, but doesn't seem to be getting worse.

Does this sound like a starter that is slowly on its way out?

 

Hrm a starter wouldn't cause that. And you are positive it can't be any of the engine mounts? They can just suddenly go bad, maybe you should have them rechecked?

 

My mechanic said he checked all the mounts - just found one bad one. I've been seeing this guy for 6 years and he always gives me the straight story.

Forgot to mention the rocking only happens when the engine is cold. Once the engine is warmed up I never get the rocking thing upon starting.

 

Oh I thought you meant it had been 2 months since you had them checked

 

A cold engine that misses will cause rocking of the engine and car. Missing is noted in the exhaust sound as regular "putt-putt-..." sound. Usual fix is new spark plugs and new wires,...if it's missing.

good luck

 

Texas,

I thought about the missing thing, but I get 27-28 mpg (I do 90% highway) and it runs nice and smooth, so if it was plugs and/or wires I would get lower mpg and would notice the missing even after it warms up wouldn't I?

 

it might be your transmission mount.. i am not sure if you have 3.2 or 2.5.
but i get the same rocking on my 2.5, on start and when i shut off.

i looked at the mount today and its really loose. its not rigid at all..

i am considering filling it in with something.. not sure what though..

 

i have the same problem well i dont think its really a problem. yeah cant be plugs or anything like that cause everything is new.. something has to do with the tranny.. i notice a clicking nose after the rocking like the tranny just locked up.

 

This has happened only once in my car, after going down a long list of other possibilities in my case, I am going to assume it was bad gas.

 

I changed the plugs and the starts are much smoother now.

Loved how easy it was to change the plugs - no way can I do the same thing on my '96 Chevy Blazer.