Quick car question

[LostinVA]

The SO just called me -- when she started her car this morning, it, and I quote, "made a shuddering noise." When she opened the hood, she said the "whole" engine was shuddering and there was a load noise. I think she's exaggerating, because I've never seen that in my whole life. She's taking it in around 830, but does anyone have an inkling what it may be? The car is old enough that it's no longer under warranty.

[ScreamingMeemie]

1. The engine mounts may need to be replaced.

and Hey! Us wives NEVER exaggerate. Repeat that to yourself 20 times. An engine with loose mounts really is a shaking site to behold.

Thank you Mr P and 2 years of Auto shop. It's gotten me through a lot. :hi:

[LostinVA]

2. I'm female too, and she does spazz out about stuff

I was thinking either mounts or a screwed up idle?

I should take a 101 Auto class.

[ScreamingMeemie]

3. It could be misfiring...or running on a few less cylinders than it should.

The best thing I ever did was take auto shop in high school. I highly recommend it. Us women tend to get "screwed" by auto mechanics when they think we don't know anything. :hi: I know we can get them through our local adult ed here.

[LostinVA]

4. We can, too -- I've been thinking about doing it

I was just hoping it's a $2-@300 job, not a 2k transmission problem....

[ScreamingMeemie]

5. I'll keep my fingers crossed for ya!

:hi: Best of luck. Car trouble sucks. :hug:

[LostinVA]

6. Thanks! My Dad agrees with you, btw

That it's missing and probably needs a tune-up.

[AllegroRondo]

7. I've heard some wild stories of mechanics screwing people

usually young women that they think dont know anything about cars. Yes, a basic auto class is a wonderful thing. It may not teach you how to fix anything yourself, but it will teach you what is and is not plausible.

for example - one person was told that their turn signals were not working because they were out of 'blinker fluid', and needed to be refilled.

one person was told that their tire was slowly losing air because of 'air mites' inside, the tire would have to be replaced.

one person was told that because they hadn't changed their oil for 5,000 miles instead of the recommended 3,000 that their head gasket had to be replaced.

[ET Awful]

9. That was my first guess too. If it's missing on one cylinder, the engine

will sound like it's getting ready to jump out of the bay :P

Could be as simple as a fouled plug, yank the plug, scrub it off, re-gap it, put it back in and you're good to go :)

[catmandu57]

8. Initially I'd say a tune up, but

with the noise it sounds like you may have a busted motor mount.

[mdmc]

10. knocking?

something might be firing wrong...