2.0 non-turbo engine shaking

hey i got a '97 eclipse with a 2.0L non turbo, it runs great but when im stoped at a light it feels like the engine is shaking a lil too much and shakes the whole car and it idles at around 800 rpms.....i cleaned out the throttle body a lil with some carb cleaner and changed one of the O2 sensors before the cat and that seemed to help some but it still does it...am i mis-fireing on a cylinder or need a sensor somewhere? im changing the spark plugs and wires tomarrow maybe that will help Can anybody help?

most likely a cylinder isnt firing. just chance the plugs and check back

hmm..a 97..do you have a check engine light on? are you on stock mounts?

i know may be a noobie car question..but since my car is lowered is it normal for the check engine light to come on?

The 2.0L non turbo engine is well noted to leak oil down the spark plug tubes through the valve cover tube seals. This can cause a very erratic idle and and misfire under load/no load conditions. Since you're changing your plugs and wires- take a good look down the spark plug tube to see if there is oil down there. I've seen them filled to the top with oil! If this is the case, you'll need to replace your valve cover gasket including the tube seals. Good Luck!

Joel, CA

quote:

ORIGINAL: Joel_CA

If this is the case, you'll need to replace your valve cover gasket including the tube seals.

Joel, CA

And as candle wires

well i changed out the spark plugs and wires....no luck....but ill try the valve cover gasket and the tube seals. Thank for the help guys!!

if i would buy a valve cover gasket... it would have the tube seals too right?

They don't come together as a kit if that's what you're asking. If you DON"T have any oil leaking into the spark plug tubes- then you don't need to replace them.

Joel, CA

quote:

ORIGINAL: RSEclipse

i know may be a noobie car question..but since my car is lowered is it normal for the check engine light to come on?

no it should not be on.

For the shaking is it auto? it may be a bad torque converter. My dads car has only 80k on it and its doing the same thing. If a cyl was misfiring you would know. The car would bearly run and the check engine light would flash. It could also be the motor mounts like pat said. Those tend to go bad b/c their made from a really crappy rubber.

quote:

ORIGINAL: slow420a


If a cyl was misfiring you would know. The car would bearly run and the check engine light would flash.

The check engine light would definately come on if a cylinder was misfiring...

yea the torque converter sounds like thats whats wrong with it, it goes away soon as i hit the gas and on the freeways it has a slight jerk as a drive along, nothing like its missing as i drive down the road.

Did you check the motor mounts as Patrick suggested? alot of that sounds like it could be bad mounts. I'd hate to see you undertake a torque converter change when it could be something much more simple and inexpensive.

Another thought. Just to make sure you know what you are looking for, the stock mounts are made of rubber with a metal bushing in the center where the bolts run through. It is not uncommon for these monts to dryrot, or tear loose at the bushing. Push on the rubber all over the mount because the tear is not always obvious. When you get on the throttle under a load (in gear) the torque effect from the engine will cause the engine to roll towards the front or rear(depending on your engine's rotation, usually towards the rear) causing a thump or a jerk during acceleration. As for the missing, I think you guys are on the right track.