My engine is vibrating and shaking van, only happens on Motorways (1 Viewer)

Robert Small

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Oct 1, 2014
5
1
Winchcombe
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33,639
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Autotrail Scout
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2008
I have an Fiat Autotrail 2.8 D, W reg. Over last few years I have been getting a vibration that appears to be coming from the engine but shakes the whole Van. It only occurs on Motorways and used to happen rarely and not for very long, this summer we did 3,000 miles but had no trouble until we hit the M20 around Ashford and lasted 20 miles then stopped. The last three times I've used it it has lasted longer until it lasted almost all the time from Exeter to Tewksbury but stopped as soon as I got off the motorway and even at the same speeds 50/55 did not start again. At first ,in Germany, I thought it was the road surface and again in England but I asked my mechanic when he put a new gearbox in to check the engine mountings, fine. Any ideas, is it the drive shaft? is it just an old van, my mechanic doesn't seem to know except he feels the Van has years left in her. Please help.
 

cronkle

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Apr 18, 2008
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You've probably already thought of this but are the wheel nuts tightened up?
 
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Robert Small

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Oct 1, 2014
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Thanks for the reply but they are okay, checked during the last MOT

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Frentchy

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It could be Wheel Balance coupled with weak shockers, Is it more prominent on one side?
 

TheBig1

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Thanks for the reply but they are okay, checked during the last MOT
i seriously hope youre not implying you dont regularly check road wheels and tyres, leaving it to a yearly MOT

sounds like distorted tyres to me.....gets worse as tyres heat up on the motorway. tyres need replacing every 5-7 years regardless of tread
 

icantremember

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no trouble until we hit the M20 around Ashford
Some of the M20 in that area is old concrete instead of tarmac and I think everyones vehicle vibrates along there .. I know mine does!

Another possibility is worn engine mounts.

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Robert Small

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Oct 1, 2014
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Not as I have noticed. But I can get someone to look at them. Thanks
i seriously hope youre not implying you dont regularly check road wheels and tyres, leaving it to a yearly MOT

sounds like distorted tyres to me.....gets worse as tyres heat up on the motorway. tyres need replacing every 5-7 years regardless of tread
Had a recent MOT. But will get the tyres checked Thanks.
 
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Robert Small

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Oct 1, 2014
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Some of the M20 in that area is old concrete instead of tarmac and I think everyones vehicle vibrates along there .. I know mine does!

Another possibility is worn engine mounts.
According a mechanic they were okay when he replaced the gear box.

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Nov 6, 2013
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Had the same on a car once. Was moisture inside one of the tyres. Took it back to the tyre fitters - removed tyre, cleaned and refitted. Sorted the problem.
 

Billy23

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According a mechanic they were okay when he replaced the gear box.

I am not a mechanic but I seem to remember, way back, like 40 years that you would get a similar problem if the prop shaft or drive shaft from the gear box was running out of balance. I notice that the gear box has been changed, did he put it back in the same position? I seem to remember if you turned it just one hole it was not running "true".

As I say, that is.....way back thinking, so forgive me if it is wrong.(y)
 

RS_rob

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Is it on accelerating only ?
If so it's the n/s drive shaft
I have the same problem but can't find the correct drive shaft.

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Mar 29, 2011
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A while ago I had a problem with a Vito, the tyre place told me it was a vehicle problem took it to the merc dealer and he said straight way it was a distorted tyre, back to the tyre place and it was, new tyre and problem solved, a couple of years ago it happened on our VW T5 as well, they say that Michelins & Continentals are the worst for it and yes I have had one of each, Michelin contributed half the cost on to new ones on the VW.
Dave
 

MikeD

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If you have had a new gear box I would check either prop shaft or drive shafts. (y)
 

Bobby22

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In some vehicles there may be a "balance" fitted to the drive shaft to the wheels.........one side usually longer than the other.......check that this "balance" isn't free and is clamped in the correct position.

Hope you find a solution soon.

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TerryL

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I'd go with the distorted tyre - had this happen to me twice on 2 different cars. Replaced tyres, problem went away.

You probably only notice it on motorways as they are generally much smoother than ordinary roads and any vibration is more apparent.
 

Bobby22

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Would be interested in the diagnosis when you find out what the problem was. I had a works Citroen Relay that used to have similar symptoms it would vibrate violently with the feeling of something to do with driveshafts.....we would stop...... then carry on with no problems. It only happened two or three times in a 139,000 miles.
 

pappajohn

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Would be interested in the diagnosis when you find out what the problem was. I had a works Citroen Relay that used to have similar symptoms it would vibrate violently with the feeling of something to do with driveshafts.....we would stop...... then carry on with no problems. It only happened two or three times in a 139,000 miles.

you'll be lucky......the op became a read only member at 3.26pm yesterday......no more free posts.

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Badknee

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I would get the front wheels balanced. That would show up a distorted tyre, damaged wheel or just out of balance.
 

TheBig1

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far too many people just presume that if a vehicle passes an MOT once a year it cant have any mechanical defects. loads of things can easily slip through the MOT inspection and to be blunt the driver is responsible for the roadworthiness of the vehicle on all journeys. I know some people rarely even check tyre pressures and fluid levels if ever. then they are surprised when they break down
 
Apr 28, 2013
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A while ago I had a problem with a Vito, the tyre place told me it was a vehicle problem took it to the merc dealer and he said straight way it was a distorted tyre, back to the tyre place and it was, new tyre and problem solved, a couple of years ago it happened on our VW T5 as well, they say that Michelins & Continentals are the worst for it and yes I have had one of each, Michelin contributed half the cost on to new ones on the VW.
Dave
Quite right,I was in my local garage here and in trundled the Michelin truck,the boss who unloaded it took one one and threw it to one side and said to me "take a look" I was amazed to see it was nowhere near round!!
Must be a quality control problem but this one was miles out.
I have put Conti's on the back of mine recently and luckily at the moment they seem fine.

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iceni

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if it comes and goes it sounds like the drive shafts

For good prices on drive shafts try JR driveshafts in brum 0121 242 820
i think they will post out
 
Dec 12, 2010
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If you put the palms of your hands flat against the tread then the sidewalls of the tyres and slide them lightly over the surfaces, you can often feel flat spots or out of rounds on your tyres that your eye doesnt see.
 

Geo

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Jul 29, 2007
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far too many people just presume that if a vehicle passes an MOT once a year it cant have any mechanical defects. loads of things can easily slip through the MOT inspection and to be blunt the driver is responsible for the roadworthiness of the vehicle on all journeys. I know some people rarely even check tyre pressures and fluid levels if ever. then they are surprised when they break down
You are quite right.
The MoT test does not include wheel nut tightness checks other than a wiggle to see if the wheels fall off, and a visual for loose nuts.
G

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Popeye

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Thanks for the reply but they are okay, checked during the last MOT

If you asked for the wheel nuts to be checked then yes, but they won't be checked as part of the MOT........

.......sorry Geo, should have read on further.........Griff
 

Tootles

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The big problem with all the Fiat engine configurations was the engine mounts. They are made using the 'metalastic' process, where the steel is bonded to the rubber. This can become 'unbonded' after time, or quicker if there is any oil contamination, causing the engine itself to drop slightly. This can become a source of vibration, only noticed at constant speed and over a distance.
Open the bonnet with the vehicle on a flat(ish) surface. Does the engine block look 'canted' to one side or the other?? Hold the rocker cover with both hands. Can you 'rock' the engine back and forwards?? If 'yes' to one or both tests, get your mountings checked/changed.
 
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best way to check engine mounts is to have someone lift the clutch while you look at the engine

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