rough idle
Unsteady engine rhythm
A rough idle is the uneven, shaky running of an engine when a vehicle is stationary and not accelerating.
Instead of purring smoothly, the engine vibrates, surges, or threatens to stall: The mechanic diagnosed a rough idle caused by fouled spark plugs.
Common causes include vacuum leaks, dirty fuel injectors, or ignition problems.
- engineMachine producing motion
- misfireFailure to discharge
- stallEnclosed compartment or delay
- vibrationRapid oscillating movement
- sputterEmit irregular popping sounds
chug · shake · carburetor · spark plug · fuel injection · air filter · fuel pump · timing belt · check engine · check engine light · mechanic · garage · service station · under the hood · throttle · stumble · hesitation · vacuum leak
- car problemsflat tire, dead battery, engine light, check engine, brake failure
- engine behaviorrunning, stalling, starting, revving, accelerating
- fuel problemsfuel leak, fuel pump failure, clogged filter, wrong fuel, empty tank
- car diagnosticsOBD, OBD-II, check engine light, diagnostic tool, code reader
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