car engine seems to rattle / shake

neonjuice · 06-15-2009, 05:40 PM

Guys,
I know 100% nothing about cars. Here is my problem.

So,OK. As most people may know, I know 100% nothing about cars or how to fix them. Infact , my wife taught me how to check the oil and knows more than I do. We had the oil changed and new filter and even fuel injection ( what ever that is ) changed / fixed / cleaned today. All is fine. Service check shows we need to buy a new battery. So, searching for prices on those. Any auto part websites that are cheap / good??.

Now, onwards to my problem.

For the past few months, when we are driving. When you accelerate and have your foot off the gas, all is fine. However, If I try to maintain a steady speed, say sit at 30mph, the car gets a sort of shake / vibration from the engine. If I accelerate, it goes away. Only happens when staying at a constant steady speed. I have searched online, and some / most articles say, it could be a catalytic convertor issue. No idea what that is.
We plan to get new tires / battery very soon and I want to get the engine serviced, but do not want to be scammed, as I know nothing at all about cars. Just looking around for general costs for getting it serviced.

Thought, some of you guys, who are into cars, might have a suggestion as to way it shakes / vibrates when at a steady speed?.

Thankful for all and any help.

**octaneman** · 06-15-2009, 06:00 PM

Hi neonjuice

Can you please tell us the make,the model, and the year of of the car including the engine size. To get all that information open your driver's side door there is a sticker that provides all relavent information. To check for the engine size, open the hood and there is a sticker either on the hood or on the radiator shroud that has a fine number on the lower end of the sticker. Example(1): 2.0L If its a foreign car it may be written in cubic centimeters. Example(2): 198cc.

**bruiser** · 06-15-2009, 06:22 PM

Is the Check Engine light on?

neonjuice · 06-15-2009, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by octaneman

Hi neonjuice

Can you please tell us the make,the model, and the year of of the car including the engine size. To get all that information open your driver's side door there is a sticker that provides all relavent information. To check for the engine size, open the hood and there is a sticker either on the hood or on the radiator shroud that has a fine number on the lower end of the sticker. Example(1): 2.0L If its a foreign car it may be written in cubic centimeters. Example(2): 198cc.

The wife is just away out in the car. It is however, A 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport. It is a mini van lol. Wife wanted one for taking kids about.
Will get all full info, hopefully 2morrow morning. I gotta go to bed soon to be back up at 4.45am for work.

neonjuice · 06-15-2009, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruiser

Is the Check Engine light on?

Yes it is, but however, that light has been on since we bought it from the dealer. Even had car technicians look at the light and they said it stays on due to some circuit problem. Which they could not fix. So it has technically been on, for several years now, even after being serviced.

**bruiser** · 06-16-2009, 06:37 AM

Just for the "L" of it, go by Autozone and have them pull the code. Be sure to write the code(s) down. Be sure to post the codes.

06-15-2009, 05:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
neonjuice Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 114 OS: Vista Ultimate 64 bit SP1. Linux Ubuntu, XP Pro	car engine seems to rattle / shake Guys, I know 100% nothing about cars. Here is my problem. So,OK. As most people may know, I know 100% nothing about cars or how to fix them. Infact , my wife taught me how to check the oil and knows more than I do. We had the oil changed and new filter and even fuel injection ( what ever that is ) changed / fixed / cleaned today. All is fine. Service check shows we need to buy a new battery. So, searching for prices on those. Any auto part websites that are cheap / good??. Now, onwards to my problem. For the past few months, when we are driving. When you accelerate and have your foot off the gas, all is fine. However, If I try to maintain a steady speed, say sit at 30mph, the car gets a sort of shake / vibration from the engine. If I accelerate, it goes away. Only happens when staying at a constant steady speed. I have searched online, and some / most articles say, it could be a catalytic convertor issue. No idea what that is. We plan to get new tires / battery very soon and I want to get the engine serviced, but do not want to be scammed, as I know nothing at all about cars. Just looking around for general costs for getting it serviced. Thought, some of you guys, who are into cars, might have a suggestion as to way it shakes / vibrates when at a steady speed?. Thankful for all and any help.

06-15-2009, 06:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
octaneman Mentor Home Support, Gearhead Automotive Center Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 548 OS: WINXP	Re: car engine seems to rattle / shake Hi neonjuice Can you please tell us the make,the model, and the year of of the car including the engine size. To get all that information open your driver's side door there is a sticker that provides all relavent information. To check for the engine size, open the hood and there is a sticker either on the hood or on the radiator shroud that has a fine number on the lower end of the sticker. Example(1): 2.0L If its a foreign car it may be written in cubic centimeters. Example(2): 198cc.

06-15-2009, 06:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
bruiser TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,973 OS: xp	Re: car engine seems to rattle / shake Is the Check Engine light on?

06-16-2009, 06:37 AM	#6 (permalink)
bruiser TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,973 OS: xp	Re: car engine seems to rattle / shake Just for the "L" of it, go by Autozone and have them pull the code. Be sure to write the code(s) down. Be sure to post the codes.