finding the problem with a car that doesn't always start

When you are idling your car, you might notice that it idles very roughly. Your car might shake in a very uneven manner. This is typically referred to as a rough idle. This is something you will want to look into because it can be a sign that there is something very wrong with your car.

How Idling Works

Idling is when your car is running but is not in motion. Newer cars sometimes turn off the engine when it is not in motion and start the car automatically when your car is not parked and you are not pressing down on the brakes. However, older cars will continue to idle.

How to Identify Rough Idling

There is a consistent idle speed your car should be able to achieve that is based on the type of car you are driving. However, if your car begins to experience a much lower idle speed, this is a sign that something is wrong. Your vehicle might also be bouncing or shaking. Even worse is if it begins to stall or backfire. If your car is in motion while it is stalling, you might end up in an accident.

Because rough idling can be a sign that there is something wrong with your ignition or your car might be struggling to deliver fuel to the engine, your car might begin to have problems with acceleration and your car might not even start.

Common Causes

Unfortunately, there is a long list of reasons why your car might be rough idling. Therefore, you will want your car to be inspected by an auto repair technician so that you can find out exactly what's going on.

A broken PCV valve is one of the most common causes of rough idling. It can become clogged and can also leak. This will alter the fuel/air mixture and cause rough idling.

Don't Assume the Repairs Will Be Expensive

The good news is that the problem causing your car to experience rough idling might be inexpensive. For example, if you have a defective spark plug, this can be very cheap to replace. However, you will want to inspect the spark plug because it can be a sign of another problem. For example, if oil has leaked onto your spark plug and has caused it to fail, the technician will need to identify the source of the leak and fix it.

There are numerous other reasons why your car is shaking so much when idling. The best way to identify and fix the issue is to take your car to an auto repair technician. 

Reach out to a car repair shop to learn more.