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My wife's Camry went in to the shop 2 months ago for a rough idle. We bought the car used in February with 72K miles. We've put on 10K and decided to have a mechanic look it over and tell us what it needed. The shop noted the engine left and right engine mounts were broken and suggested we change them (for $600). I decided I could do this job and save a few bucks.

So, yesterday I replaced the three mounts underneath the engine with toyota factory parts from the dealer. Also replaced the dogbone up top. Four mounts replaced. The problem now is that the vibration has changed. The car used to have a pretty steady vibration, most notable at idle in gear. It would also lurch when accelerating from a stop. Now the lurch is gone and the car feels smoother while driving and the lurching from a stop is gone.

But, I only have vibration when at a stop and the car is in drive. Putting it in reverse, neutral or park and no vibration. I can also kind of feel the same frequency vibration when I turn the car to the left. It makes no sense to me. Tonight I cleaned the throttle body as detailed here: DIY 2AZFE Throttle Cleaning Gen 5, Gen 5.5, Gen 6 - no change on the idle.

I pulled the wheels off and jacked it up and got under it and looked everywhere while having my wife put it in drive and hold the brake. Engine is vibrating a good bit, but the mounts look fine.

I can't figure out if it has anything to do with the engine mounts now... Did I do something wrong or is something making the engine run rough at low speed? Did I get a defective mount? How can I troubleshoot this? I'm scared to take it to the mechanic and go on an expensive goose chase after already spending $400 on mounts alone. Any suggestions are welcome!

caddymob
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4 Answers4

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Most likely, one of the engine mounts are 'torqued'. You can try and neutralize the mounts. Loosen the through bolts of all mounts several (4-5) turns. Then start the car, and drive back and forth several feet (using quick taps on the gas and not just idling) over and over, and let it rest at idle a few seconds before turning off the engine. Now tighten all mounts being careful not to rock the motor, and don't pry or push anything to reach the bolts! (This is where swivels come in handy)

Drake Clarris
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I fixed the vibration problem I had for 1 year on my 2007 toyota camry after I cleaned the throttle body and air control valve (iac) the car is driving perfect. I can not believe it was so easy to fix...

Mario cepeds
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I read that one man said his problem was the exhaust hanger grauments. you can get them online really cheap. but he said the dealer will charge you an arm and leg to change them. Im going to try this first. he said he changed all motor mounts and it was the same then he changed the exhaust hangers and the vib was 100% gone. let me know.

Frank
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My 2010 Corolla had a similar issue with the idle. Most noticeably when I would come to stop signs or stop lights, the idle would dip way down, it would stutter for a second or two, then raise back up. I replaced my spark plugs with factory Toyota plugs and it resolved the issue COMPLETELY! The idle no longer dips, and it stays running smooth every time I come to a stop.

Jeremy
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