2001 Solara V6 shaking at stop light

[jzwu]

Hi,

My 2001 Solara convertible V6 shakes pretty badly and the engine gets pretty noisy when stopped at traffic lights. If I shift it out of D into N or P, it is not as bad.


Any idea what can cause the shaking? The car has almost 110k miles.

Thanks!

[ToyoSolV6]

needs tune up??
anyone correct me if im wrong, but if its doing that the car is idiling pretty rough and with that mileage maybe it does mean you need a tune up.

[jzwu]

I am thinking about a tune-up too. Pretty sure the previous original owner never changed the spark plugs.

Also heard that it is better to change the plug wires as well.

What else needs to be done?

[ToyoSolV6]

yeah man if you do end up doing the tune up take it somewhere you trust, but basically its spark plugs air filter (im assuming if you have a stock intake system), timing belt and im not sure if theres anything else.
Be very careful with who does your timing belt my dad had a bad experience when some dude changed the timing belt on his old honda prelude, after that was changed the car was never the same and we had to sell it , but yeah maybe needs the tune up bro.

[jzwu]

Thanks man!

I did the timing belt/water pump/drive belts at 95k miles at the dealer and paid dearly. At least, no problem with that so far.

Sounds like I need to get the plugs changed. I will do it myself as I have done same for my V6 Nissan Maxima, a real pain in the ass though.

[ToyoSolV6]

^no problem dude.
and yeah i would only trust the dealer with my timing belt.
yeah i need spark plugs too ill do them myself also.

[mightymouse402]

Yeah, changing the spark plugs is a pain in the arse because of the ones in the back. You have too unscrew and unplug alot of hoses and bolts and also remove the intake manifold to get to the back 3 spark plugs. I do second the suggestion that you might need a tune-up.

[lilm]

Yeah, changing the spark plugs is a pain in the arse because of the ones in the back. You have too unscrew and unplug alot of hoses and bolts and also remove the intake manifold to get to the back 3 spark plugs. I do second the suggestion that you might need a tune-up.

you don't have to take the manifold off or unplug anything......

[sydemoid]

any ideas on how much changing the timing belt would cost?

[mac-phisto]

any ideas on how much changing the timing belt would cost?

depends on where you live b/c most of the cost is labor. here in CT (w/ $90/hr average labor rates), you're easily looking at $600 for a timing belt.

[mac-phisto]

Thanks man!

I did the timing belt/water pump/drive belts at 95k miles at the dealer and paid dearly. At least, no problem with that so far.

Sounds like I need to get the plugs changed. I will do it myself as I have done same for my V6 Nissan Maxima, a real pain in the ass though.

make sure you get the right plugs - i think stock on the lara is the double platinum - i just put new NGK DPs in today. when i bought the car, it had 80k & dollar bin champions in it. thing ran rough as hell. the DPs make a BIIIIG difference. i dunno about the V6, but on the I4 the spark plug ports are wicked deep - i need 2 socket extenders to get to the plugs (& 1 set of needlenose pliers to get them out).

anyway, pick up plugs (don't forget the dielectric goo), wires, air filter, PCV, cabin filter (if you feel inclined), fuel filter - that's a real pain...i needed a pipe wrench to complete that job & you have about 2-1/2" of space for rotating your wrench. that's pretty easy stuff.

flush your liquids if you know how or have a mechanic do it. i would also get a tire rotation & balance if you haven't done that lately, check out suspension & check exhaust for leaks.

110k! awww! you're baby's growing up! my 99 just hit 150k & still purrs like a kitten! remember, the more maintenance you do now, the less costly repairs you'll have later.

[jzwu]

I changed the timing belt/water pump/3 drive belts and idler pulley and tensioner (late 2 items needed to be changed per the dealer) for ~$750 like a year ago in Southern CA.

[jzwu]

Anyone knows where is the PCV is located on the Solara V6? I might need to change that out too.

I bought the Denso double platinum plugs and NGK plug wires from www.drivewire.com, plus the air filter. Don't think the 2001 Solara has in-cabin air filter though.

[jzwu]

Well, today I got the spark plugs changed with new Denso double platinum and changed plug wires with NGK blue wires. Also changed the PCV valve.

The car started crisp and running good. However, when I put in R or D it still shook quite a bit, but not in P or N.

So I think it is something with the transmission, since the car only shakes and gets noisy under load. Is it right?

[jzwu]

I did some research online and found out the possible causes could be bad engine mounts or torque converter.

Anyone has any idea which is more likely? Just don't tell me both are....