Hey guys,

Just noticed today that my whole car shakes like crazy when its on Neutral gear. I'm uncertain of what's causing it (I hope it's nothing serious ), hence I'm here asking you guys...

Does anyone have any clue of why this is happening? Has anyone experienced this before with their TL? Is this a sign of transmission failure/problem?

Any input regarding this will be much appreciated !


PS: I have 2004 TL.

 

It could be your motor mounts.

 

^^ That would be my only guess

 

If its in neutral i would say its something else....

Mounts come in most when your in a gear and driving.....or in "D" at a stop light....

but am not saying it cant be your mounts....I would start with checking your vac lines....

where did you get gas last ? check your air filter/TB as well....

 

+2

 

Thank you all; I'll check the VAC lines and motor mounts when I get time. Will post back

PS: I always get gas from Sunoco (been getting it from them for years now)

 

Alright so I checked the VAC lines; it seems fine to me (I'm not really good at all this mechanical stuff, if needed I might take it to my mechanic and have him check it :/). Nonetheless, I recently started noticing that every time I start the car it kind of moves/goes forward (Hand Brake is ON and it's not really parked on a downhill; the road is pretty flat) Any clue what's causing this?

I told my Dad and he said that my car's getting old and I'm ought to have/experience these kind of problems. Anyways I bought the car used at 90xxxmi and now it has 115xxxmi on it.

PS: I've gotten my T-belt changed along with other things (spark plugs, T-belt idler pully, T-belt hydraulic tensione, Water pump unit with gasket)

 

^^^ my car does that too....i think its normal....jumps a little ahead and the hand brake is ON....

put some HEET in the gas tank, it will get rid of any water in gas and remove this from the list to check....

put half a can of seafoam in the vac lines (slurp) method, this will remove any crud accumulated in the path of air....

when did this start happening ? any other noise/vibrations you feel ?

 

Cool, I'll put some HEET probably tonight, but it started happening last week or that's when I really started noticing it.

Besides that there is no noise; only the gas pedal vibrates a little while driving at 40-55mph (which is pretty common from what I've learned so not really worried about that)

 

^^^ NO...its only normal if you have solid mounts....

also the vibrations that you are describing do come at a stand still ?

Here is how you go about isolating the source:


_________ - At a stop - Could be bad gas/Crud in Air path/Bas Gas/Spark plugs/coils/Mounts
Vibrating-|
_________ - Driving - Tires/Balancing/Alignment/Bent Rim/Axle/etc

Now when at a STOP, does the vibrations go away when you rev it or when you shift to neutral ? - Mounts
If they dont go away its most prolly your spark plugs/etc...

 

Ok so I put HEET in my car lets hope that does something . Anways, It doesn't vibrate while standing still or at a stop sign. It might be my Axle because I just bought the new tires and had them balanced and aligned.

Tires I purchased:

Code:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Continental&tireModel=ExtremeContact+DWS&partnum=345WR7ECDWS&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Acura&autoYear=2004&autoModel=TL&autoModClar=Automatic%20Transmission

Edit: Last time I checked, it vibrated when I shifted to Neutral while at a FULL STOP.

Spark plugs, it doesn't make any sense; I just had the new ones installed probably 3 months ago or less (Do you still think it could be the spark plugs?) Also, can you please tell me what I should tell my mechanic if I were to take this to him. Do I simply tell him to check the motor mounts? Just in case if I were to tell him...

One last thing, how much will it cost me if I were to get my Axle replaced...

Thank you so much for input and your time!

 

By axles you mean your CV driveshaft right? If that's what you mean then no that is probably not the problem. A bad driveshaft will cause a clicking noise when turning in slow speeds and you will probably see axle grease leaking from the CV boot. It could be the motor mount and there is an easy check for this since the front motor mount usually fails first. Bad motor mounts cause vibration and sometimes a thump when sifting and if really bad will cause a thump when going over a bump but if you want a real test for bad motor mounts then remove the harstop for the motor mount (it's the metal cover piece that goes over the front motor mount) and then have someone (preferably someone you trust) shift the car to drive while holding down the brake pedal while giving it some gas. Now while standing on the side of the car (close but at a safe distance) watch the front motor mount and if its bad you will see it separate where it cracked.

 

Here is how to check for the different components....

1> Axles: with the car in the air (both front wheels atleast) tug on the wheels to see if you have any play, you shudnt....
2> Lug nuts: Check if all the lugs are tightened to spec (80 ft/lbs for 3G models)
3> Mounts: Check if the mounts and torn/damaged (visual inspection)
4> Spark plugs: you will have to pop each one out and check for condition....if they are loose/over tight, fit it....
5> Check if your Throttle Body cable/other electrical cables are connected

Also clearly tell me this:
When driving you feel vibration (Yes/NO) ?
When at a stop in GEAR, do you feel vibrations (Yes/NO) ?
When at a stop in NEAUTRAL, do you feel vibrations (Yes/NO) ?

 

Are you MT or AT OP?

I don't think this is a mount issue unfortunately. Does the vibration change based on RPM in neutral? How about engine temp?

 

I apologize if I was being vague :/

1. No and Yes I guess [I ONLY feel vibration (gas pedal) while I'm going at 45-60 MPH; past 60 and below 40 there is no vibration]
2. NO
3. Yes

 

Automatic and no it doesn't change.

Engine temp is normal.

 

Nah I just wanted to be sure...

1> Alignment...this will be solved
2> Your mounts are fine
3> I suspect vac lines to the mount/some crud in your air path....run some seafoam in the vac port or spray some deep creep in your TB/etc

 

I'll do an alignment when I go for an oil change. Meanwhile, I'll run seafoam and hope for the best (still skeptical but I hope it works )

I'm going to follow instructions on this thread for walk through.

 

^^^ nice....that thread has all the info....

i would just recommend using a transparent plastic cup with a transparent hose for the slurping....and 1/2 can in vac port, 1/2 can in gas tank...make sure the gas tank is 1/8th full....max cleaning

let it sit for 15 minutes and then take it for a spin....make sure to hit vtec couple times....will clean off those injectors as well

 

^ awesome

do you think it'll be wise to put some sea foam in my engine?

 

^^^ only if your planning on doing an oil change within 100 odd miles....

 

Sorry took me awhile to get back.

So I Seafoam'd my car and it runs much better now, but it didn't fix my issue/problem. It seems like it might be my mounts or spark plugs so I'm gonna drop it off at the mechanic towards the end of this month. Hopefully, it's nothing major and he's able to fix it! :/

Anyways, does anyone know the best place to get an alignment? ( I live in Fairfax, Virginia) I usually go to Sear's but I was wondering if there is someone else that does a better job

Thank Swoosh for all the help again

 

Cool, I still have 30% left so I'll wait!

 

^^^ sure....

about alignment....go to a neighboring Firestone...

 

^^^ sure....

about alignment....go to a neighboring Firestone...

 

Firestone.. that's a joke.

 

^^^ care to explain....also all Firestone are not created equal LOL....

i love my local firestone <3

 

Hopefully they are better than Sears AUTO haha.

Just getting an alignment and an oil change. Gonna give them a shot!

Edit: Perhaps I spoke too soon haha! check this out!

Code:

http://maps.google.com/maps/place?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=ruY&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&prmd=imvns&resnum=6&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1920&bih=1023&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=firestone&fb=1&gl=us&hq=firestone&hnear=0x89b64de885e53a9d:0x67e76f2416faa504,Springfield,+VA&cid=4166239557687760280&ei=4G4OT43bOeb40gHuzoSNAw&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=placepage-link&resnum=1&ved=0CDkQ4gkwAA

Lucky you swoosh!

 

^^^ yup....as i said all Firestone are not equal....

i would recommend find yourself a decent shop with a decent mechanic (i prefer asians LOL) and stick to the shop....

i have been visiting the same firestone for 3 years and going to the same mechanic....i buy him lunch couple times and my car is always very very very very well take care off

 

Hey I'm back

Anyways I guess Seafoam did something after all! It doesn't shake in Neutral anymore; I've been checking it on regular basis and there is no more VIBRATION!

Also, I wanted to ask you a question regarding wiper blades. I've had mine replaced no so long ago ago and they are already making that squeaking noise (SO PESKY!). I was hoping if you'd recommend something!

I was looking at these and would like to know what ya think

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Code:

http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-4826-Evolution-All-Season-Bracketless/dp/B0016ZU3AU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327196505&sr=8-1

Code:

http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-4826-Evolution-All-Season-Bracketless/dp/B0016ZU3AU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327196505&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-4826-Evolution-All-Season-Bracketless/dp/B0016ZU3AU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327196505&sr=8-1