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Engine vibrating at idle

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Old Sep 15, 2018 | 08:50 PM
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Default Engine vibrating at idle

Hi guys

I have an STI v3 and particularly when cold the car tends to have a slight vibration/judder on idle. This can be felt through the car when sitting at lights.
Car honestly drives great and is defo worst when cold.

Here are my findings so far

*The revs remain constant on idle - no major fluctuations
*The car has all the power expected - keeps up with my brothers 335i and 335d on spirited runs
*No smoke out of exhaust to be concerned out
*Spark plugs changed and properly gapped recently
*Timing belt changed before I got car (car has always idled this way since I got it)
*No engine management light or codes being displayed
* I will double check but does not happen every time the car is started


Any ideas on what I should target first as "quick wins"? Was thinking of replacing HT leads as they looks old - is there a way to test for faulty HT leads?

Last edited by mellinator2k; Sep 15, 2018 at 09:17 PM.
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Old Sep 15, 2018 | 10:25 PM
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Originally Posted by mellinator2k
Hi guys

I have an STI v3 and particularly when cold the car tends to have a slight vibration/judder on idle. This can be felt through the car when sitting at lights.
Car honestly drives great and is defo worst when cold.

Here are my findings so far

*The revs remain constant on idle - no major fluctuations
*The car has all the power expected - keeps up with my brothers 335i and 335d on spirited runs
*No smoke out of exhaust to be concerned out
*Spark plugs changed and properly gapped recently
*Timing belt changed before I got car (car has always idled this way since I got it)
*No engine management light or codes being displayed
* I will double check but does not happen every time the car is started


Any ideas on what I should target first as "quick wins"? Was thinking of replacing HT leads as they looks old - is there a way to test for faulty HT leads?
exhaust hangers ? It might be bouncing about just.
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Old Sep 15, 2018 | 10:36 PM
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Old spray bottle from under the sink, fill full of water and in the dark spray HT leads etc. If you do change them oem is the best but sort of expensive.

Last edited by 1509joe; Sep 15, 2018 at 10:38 PM.
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Old Sep 16, 2018 | 11:06 AM
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Thnks mate. What would I be looking for when I spray the stuff on?
Thanks
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Old Sep 16, 2018 | 04:57 PM
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Sparks
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Old Sep 16, 2018 | 05:50 PM
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Ha ha thanks
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Old Sep 16, 2018 | 10:42 PM
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My v3 sti had the same symptoms, predominantly a lumpy idle when hot or cold. This was even after a new short block had been fitted!

I have just replaced my lambda/o2 sensor and it has removed these symptoms completely, the car also doesn't fall flat on it's face between gears any more! The sensor was approx £200 from subaru.

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Old Sep 18, 2018 | 07:07 PM
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Thanks mate, will consider this if required
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Old Sep 18, 2018 | 07:29 PM
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Originally Posted by mellinator2k
Thanks mate, will consider this if required
same sort of problem I just had with mine , checked the ecu and it read code 32 (lambda sensor ) , I think the sensor has a heater in it which can fail which makes it worse when engine is cold , got a genuine one off the shelf from a s performance for a nice price
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Old Sep 18, 2018 | 08:32 PM
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Thanks guys, weird thing is I had no engine management light come on at all. Did you guys have an engine management light come on?
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Old Sep 18, 2018 | 08:55 PM
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Originally Posted by mellinator2k
Thanks guys, weird thing is I had no engine management light come on at all. Did you guys have an engine management light come on?
no engine management light for me only found out when I read the code
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Old Sep 18, 2018 | 09:08 PM
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What is easiest way to read codes on a 1997 v3 sti ?
This ? http://www.scoobypedia.co.uk/index.p...eadingECUCodes
Thanks

Last edited by mellinator2k; Sep 18, 2018 at 09:16 PM.
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Old Sep 18, 2018 | 09:47 PM
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Originally Posted by mellinator2k
What is easiest way to read codes on a 1997 v3 sti ?
This ? http://www.scoobypedia.co.uk/index.p...eadingECUCodes
Thanks
that’s what I did , mines a v4
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Old Sep 18, 2018 | 09:54 PM
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top man thanks!
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Old Sep 18, 2018 | 10:02 PM
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Originally Posted by mellinator2k
Thanks guys, weird thing is I had no engine management light come on at all. Did you guys have an engine management light come on?
Yes I had a check engine light after about 12 months of ownership but it had done the vibrating thing from the start. code 32 for me too once the CEL started appearing
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