[Niko!]

Hello forum!
I have a 2011 with around 145k miles, and when the engine starts, it shakes/surges back and forth slightly. It's not violent or even moderate, but it's enough for me to notice. It hasn't effected my mileage or power, just noticeable during startup and idle. I've seen other posts and videos about cleaning the EGR pipe and the intake manifold, does this work to remove the shake effectively? I'd like to catch this early before anything worse develops eventually. Just replaced the spark plugs. Thanks!!

 

[Rick Lafford]

Can be an indicator of poor fuel, leaking head gasket or fowled spark plugs due to the EGR valve passing oil vapor back to the intake. To check for a leaky head gasket, mark the level of coolant in the header tank, drive for at least a tankfull of fuel and then check the level again. If it hasn't changed than your head gasket is probably OK. Is the vehicle using any oil?

 

[Niko!]

Great, I really appreciate the tips you gave me. I checked the oil, and it's halfway, and no leaky head gasket or leaks. The coolant is at a normal level. I notice that the engine only shakes slightly on cold start, or when I first start the engine after a night. Operating temp/sitting after running already that day, it doesn't seem to shake. I just replaced the spark plugs, and I'll have to send a picture in here of the old ones, but they were pretty dirty and had some corona stains I believe? I'm thinking I could benefit from cleaning the EGR pipe, and intake manifold. Car is actually at 127k miles, not 145k. Thank you! Will update.

 

[Rick Lafford]

If it's only happening on a cold start then it was probably due to a weak spark on one or more cylinders. Mine did same (lots of clatter from the hybrid transmission drive coupling) until I changed plugs. As for coolant, I recommend that you mark the coolant tank level and watch it over some span of time. The head gasket problem is well known and worth catching earlier rather than later. There is a service bulliten and updated EGR valve (with programming) available. Cleaning the intake manifold is difficult but a new part isn't prohibitively expensive, nor is the EGR valve.

 

[Niko!]

Okay thank you very much! Actually, a couple of my plugs have some, what looks to be, surface rust on the top of the metal stem, and had a little bit of brown dust near the bottom. Would that effect the function? I figured it was just cosmetic, and due to possible slight condensation on the outside of the plugs. I will have to mark the coolant and keep tabs 👍🏽

 

[Mhanley]

Hello forum!
I have a 2011 with around 145k miles, and when the engine starts, it shakes/surges back and forth slightly. It's not violent or even moderate, but it's enough for me to notice. It hasn't effected my mileage or power, just noticeable during startup and idle. I've seen other posts and videos about cleaning the EGR pipe and the intake manifold, does this work to remove the shake effectively? I'd like to catch this early before anything worse develops eventually. Just replaced the spark plugs. Thanks!!

Change the Head gasket and water pump....this is the only fix. I just changed mine and no issues now....

 

[Niko!]

Yeah... I'm dreading the inevitability of that. I'm at 127,000 miles, so I'm getting there.

 

[Niko!]

Update: Coolant isn't lowering at all and oil is normal. I'm thinking it may be the EGR cooler and pipe. It's probably not clogged enough to trip the check engine light, but it's enough to cause a minor shake here and there. Debating whether or not I want to take the pipe out and do a preventative cleaning. Also possibly the intake manifold. Thoughts?

 

[TobiasSing]

Well it couldn't hurt to do it preventatively. If it's not too late.