Why is My Car Idling Rough 7 Reason You Don’t Know

If you have a vehicle that is idling rough you might be asking “why is my car idling rough”. Well there are several reasons why your car, truck or van is idling rough which we are going to address in this article.

Idling refers to running a vehicle’s engine when the vehicle is not in motion. This commonly occurs when drivers are stopped at a red light, waiting while parked outside a business or residence, or otherwise stationary with the engine running.

A rough idle is usually characterized by a shaking and bouncing sensation in the vehicle. You may also notice odd sounds, as well as inconsistent RPM counts whether the idling is sever or little. Continue reading to find out why you reason why your vehicle could be idling rough

Common causes of rough idle

Like i said before rough idles could be caused by a lot of reasons. However rough idle is related to the engine’s air intake, plugs spark and fuel flow.

Rough idle is a sign that could even cause the check engine light to come up since it affects the overall engine performance. Rough idling could increase your car or vehicle’s fuel economy and overall engine performance.

If you continue reading you will learn more about common causes of rough idling and some quick fix solutions to them.

• Bad or failing spark plugs

In most cases spark plugs are the most common cuprite behind a rough idling car. Continue reading to fine our as this could be the answer to your question why is my car idling rough.

The function of the spark plug in the engine is to create spark that ignites the air/fuel mixture, creating the explosion which makes your engine produce power. Don’t get things twisted just yet, spark plugs are electrical devices.

When spark plugs are not giving enough sparks to burn the air mixed with fuel in the combustion chamber, rough idling will kick in. Signs of a bad spark plug itself includes engine misfire, rough idling, poor acceleration, bad fuel economy and difficulty in starting.

• Dirty fuel injector

If you have checked the spark plugs and they are all fine, the next step is to check the fuel injected if it is what your vehicle is using. A dirty fuel injector can be in the fore front of a rough idling car.

Fuel injection is the introduction of fuel into the internal combustion engine, this is done by the injector. The fuel injector is responsible for spraying fuel into the vehicles engine via the means of special valves capable of opening and closing many times a second.

This valves can get clogged and dirty over time as a result of tiny carbon files present in the fuel. When they get clogged, there would not enough fuel supply with much oxygen to burn, which will cause the engine to start rough idling.

If you are the type that usually run your fuel thank empty before refueling your fuel injector might just be at risk. the best precautionary action to this is to never run you fuel tank empty before refueling.

• Dirty Air filter

Just like most engine parts some get old and worn out over time and would need to be replaced at some point. Well the air filter is not left out on the list, air filters get dirty and would need to be replace in your car.

The engine need air to burn fuel in the combustion chamber, this air is sucked in through the air filter. The primary function of air filter in the engine is to clean the air that the engine breaths.

When air filter becomes dirty it can cause your car to start rough idling. If you have check your spark plugs and fuel injector to be working fine then air filter might be the answer to your question why is my car idling rough.

If you found out that the air filter is dirty, please your engine a favour and get it cleaned or replace it with a new air filter. Replacing a new air filter will as well help to increase the over all engine performance.

• Clogged fuel filter

A clogged fuel filter can as well be the cause of rough idling in you vehicle. Fuel filters become clogged by dirt and debris just like in the case of the injector.

Fuel filter is found in a vehicles fuel line, the primary function of fuel injector is to clean fuel delivered to the injector or carburetor. Fuel filters are usually situated inside the fuel tank of beside it.

Signs of a bad or failing fuel filter includes misfiring engine, stalling, difficulty ins starting and rough idling it self. If you notice any of this symptoms please visit the mechanic as quick as possible to avoid disappointment on the day you least expect.

• Dirty carburetor

The carburetor is another form of the injector, the function of the carburetor is to deliver fuel into the combustion chamber. Basically the carburetor is a device that mixes air and fuel for internal combustion engines in an appropriate air–fuel ratio for combustion.

The carburetor can become dirty over time as result of dirt and debris accumulated over time. When the carburetor become dirty, t fails to deliver the right amount of fuel and air required by the combustion chamber.

If you car uses a carburetor, and it has not being cleaned in a while, you should consider having it checked. Carburetors can be very complex to fix sometimes so it is advisable that you should visit and auto repair shop for proper checks.

• Incorrect timing

An incorrect timing is another reason why your car could be idling rough, but this case is not common unless it you have recently have it replaced. The timing belt or chain function as the link between the crankshaft and the camshaft.

Timing belt or chain synchronizes the movement of this two most important engine parts so that the engine’s valves open and close at the proper times during each cylinder’s intake and exhaust strokes. Here is a simpler explanation, timing belt is rubber belt that connects the camshaft and the crankshaft to make the engine work in harmony all through each cylinder’s intake and exhaust strokes.

A wrongly installed timing chain or belt can cause a car to be idling rough too. When timing is installed incorrectly, it affect the overall engine performance and expensive damage to the engine.

• Incorrect ignition timing

While cam timing is mechanically controlled by a timing belt or chain, ignition timing is controlled by the ECU and the distributor. Some vehicles have a crank or cam angle sensor instead of a distributor that can be manually adjusted to advance ignition timing in much the same way.

If ignition timing is incorrect, the car could run rough and often try to stall. You should be able to check your own ignition timing using a timing light. The procedure is different for every vehicle, so check a repair manual if you’re not sure how to do this yourself.

What does it mean when your car is idling rough?

Dirty air filter, failing spark plug and a worn-out engine seat are factors that can cause a car to be idling rough. When spark plugs become too sooty they loose their ability to spark and ignite fuel and air in the combustion chamber.

A dirty filter can also be the culprit, as dirty air filter decreases the amount of clean air that is reaching the engine. Air filters should be cleaned or even replaced between intervals if found dirty.

Motor mounts or engine seat can also be the reason why your car is idling rough. Engine mounts, also known as motor mounts, are designed to secure your vehicle’s engine and transmission to the subframe.

What causes rough idle and stalling?

The fuel pump, which is responsible for pulling fuel from the gas tank to the fuel injectors, can become clogged or defective. If this happens the engine will not get enough fuel, which can cause a rough idle, sputtering, stalling and even slow acceleration.

A rough idle is one symptom of a clogged fuel filter. Fuel filter can get clogged even blocked over time due to presence of dirt and debris in the fuel or fuel line.

People who run there fuel empty tanks stand a greater height of danger when it comes to clogging of fuel filter. Do not wait until the fuel tank is empty before refueling, this practice will increase your fuel filters lifespan.

How to Adjust Your Car Idle Speed

Car engines need air to take in and burn fuel. But too much air will cause the engine to run too hot and damage it. There’s a small needle valve on your carburetor that controls how much air gets into the engine. When you turn the key on, the needle valve closes off until you give it gas; then it opens up to let in more air.

1. Remove the Engine Air Filter. The air cleaner and filter assembly must be removed for you to access the carburetor.

2. Locate Adjustment Screws. Before beginning, you should familiarize yourself with the location of the idle mixture and idle speed screws.

3. (Optional): Hook up Vacuum Gauge. If you are using a vacuum gauge for this process, you should find and connect it to a manifold vacuum port before starting the engine.

4. (Optional): Set Baseline. If the carburetor is new or has been rebuilt, you should set it to “factory” adjustment. You can do so by adjusting the idle mixture screws to 1.5-2 turns out, and the idle speed screw to 1-1.5 turns in.

5. Warm the Engine Up. The engine’s running temperature directly correlates with proper air and fuel mixtures. So, be sure to let the engine run and reach normal operating temperatures before proceeding.

6. (Optional): Adjust Idle Speed Screw. If you set a baseline in step 4, chances are idle is a little high. Be sure to adjust it so that you start with the engine’s normal running speed. You may need to perform this during warm up if the idle speed is too high after reverting to “factory” spec.

7. Adjust the Air-Fuel Mixture. Begin by adjusting the idle mixture screws by 1/8 turn increments in or out. Be sure to adjust each in direct relation to the other as you proceed if you have more than one idle screw (most two and four-barrel carburetors do).