Need help to troubleshoot KIA GT engine vibration

[alex2jz]

Hello everybody,

 

I really wanted to ask this question on the main forum, as it really seems like a very competent place, full of knowledgeable and helpful people.

 

I am encountering a very strange idle issue with a recently bought KIA GT model with the 1.6 T-GDi engine, manual (European spec). The car currently has 16,000 miles and it's 4 years old.

 

When the engine is fully warmed up, sometimes (intermittently) there is a vibration from the engine that can be felt through the entire car. There are days when this doesn't happen at all, but what i noticed and think it's important, when it happens the car's idle speed remains constant, the needle doesn't move at all.

 

Other important notes are that i can reproduce this vibration by for example using the power windows or rear defroster as well, so it seems somewhat connected to the electrical part. Also when the shake occurs, the headlights seem to flicker a bit.

 

There is also a workaround, when the shake is present, you just have to raise the rpm a bit, either by pressing the clutch, or turning on the AC and everything is fine.

 

NO CODES, car starts and drives fine. Plugs have been changed, everything is well maintained.

 

Does anybody have a clue what this could be related to ?

 

Thank you !

Alex

[Beehive3783]

Sounds like alternator pulley is giving up soon. Get that checked.

[Apple-Tree]

Check engine mount dampener.

 

 

Hello everybody,

 

I really wanted to ask this question on the main forum, as it really seems like a very competent place, full of knowledgeable and helpful people.

 

I am encountering a very strange idle issue with a recently bought KIA GT model with the 1.6 T-GDi engine, manual (European spec). The car currently has 16,000 miles and it's 4 years old.

 

When the engine is fully warmed up, sometimes (intermittently) there is a vibration from the engine that can be felt through the entire car. There are days when this doesn't happen at all, but what i noticed and think it's important, when it happens the car's idle speed remains constant, the needle doesn't move at all.

 

Other important notes are that i can reproduce this vibration by for example using the power windows or rear defroster as well, so it seems somewhat connected to the electrical part. Also when the shake occurs, the headlights seem to flicker a bit.

 

There is also a workaround, when the shake is present, you just have to raise the rpm a bit, either by pressing the clutch, or turning on the AC and everything is fine.

 

NO CODES, car starts and drives fine. Plugs have been changed, everything is well maintained.

 

Does anybody have a clue what this could be related to ?

 

Thank you !

Alex

 

[Kb27]

Check the belt.

Maybe it's slipping on the alternator.

[Soundphile]

Battery?

[QQDreamer]

check your alternator and tensioner if you car has one. are there any noticeable noise like grinding sound etc?

[alex2jz]

Hey everyone. Thanks for all the suggestions, some of these things i was thinking as well.

 

@ StreamRSZ The car sounds perfectly normal, no abnormal sounds whatsoever.

 

@ Soundphile Could it be the culprit without any other symptoms ? Car starts excellently, no issues with interior lights or anything. I will check the connections themselves, maybe something is loose i guess.

 

@ Kb27 Will do.

 

 @ Apple-Tree i will have a look if it's easily accessible. Any signs i should be looking for ?

 

@ Beehive3783 Good idea, maybe have a professional check the values coming from it, although there are absolutely no other symptoms that would indicate issues with it.

 

Also, before i bought the car, it went through an inspection at the dealership (mechanical+electrical) and everything come out fine. No codes stored in the ECU. I mean it doesn't happen that often TBH, but it's just puzzling. 

 

Keep you posted.

Cheers,

Alex

Edited July 25, 2019 by alex2jz