Idle Talk about Engines (Causes of Rough Engine Idling)
April 17, 2022
When you slow down at stoplight, your vehicle's idle should be smooth as silk. But what happens when the engine is missing or idling roughly? That's your engine's way of telling you, "Hey, I've got something wrong with me and if you don't get someone to find out what it is, I may not start the next time you turn the key."
You can help your service facility if you can describe the problem in detail. Here's a list of things to make a note of:
- When is the problem happening, when the engine is cold or when it's been running for a while?
- Does the rough idling occur when I'm accelerating or when I'm going at a steady speed?
- Does it happen at high speeds? Does it happen low speeds? Does it happen at both?
Make sure you describe the problem in as much detail because it will help a technician diagnose the problem.
One of the first things they'll check is how the spark plugs are firing. Modern iridium plugs are supposed to last a long, long time. But they CAN eventually wear out. Inspecting the firing end can help the technician figure out the root of the problem. Corroded or worn out spark plug wires, too, can contribute to an idling irregularity.
There are other potential problem spots, too. The technician may check the ignition coil, timing piston rings, valves and cylinder walls.
If the mixture of air and fuel isn't correct, that may affect how smooth your vehicle is running. Your service facility is equipped with diagnostic equipment that helps them pinpoint the problem. Once that idle is smoothed out to the way it used to be, you'll be the smoothest operator on the road.
South Side Garage
9117 S WALKER AVE
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma 73139
405-308-1514
http://www.thesouthsidegarage.com
More articles from Southside Garage

The Light Nobody Wants to See (Check Engine Light)
June 29, 2025
You've probably had your Check Engine Light go on. Then it goes off and you figure, hey, whatever the problem was, it's gone now and I don't have to worry about it. Well, the problem may have gone away and it may not have. Your vehicle likely has one of these warning lights on the instrument pa... More

Hold the Oil! (Oil Pan Gasket Replacement)
June 23, 2025
You've likely heard how important oil is to your vehicle's engine. Did you know that there's one part that's responsible for holding that oil so you can use it every day? It's called the oil pan, and it sits at the bottom of the engine. The oil pan is a vital, though simple, part of your engine's... More

Muffler: Victim of Winter (Muffler Repair)
June 16, 2025
So you almost got through the winter until, one day, your muffler started sounding like a dragster, loud and obnoxious. It's not surprising. All that road salt and brine can cause rust to punch holes in a muffler, and that should raise a big, red warning flag about the safety of your vehicle. O... More