1994 850 shakes

ChadLee · Post by **ChadLee** » 09 Sep 2016, 13:39

There is a local posting for a 850 with clean title that suddenly started shaking. She said it leaked a little oil, nothing major. Had regular oil changes. Suddenly the car started shaking and she parked it and did not look back. Selling it for parts. Is there anything that I can look for when I go see the car? Maybe something that went really wrong or something that can be tweaked easily and roll it on out of there. Or, should I just never approach the project? Thank you for any words of advice.

Post by **tryingbe** » 09 Sep 2016, 14:39

If you're not willing to potentially replace the engine, look for another car.

Post by **kahl** » 09 Sep 2016, 14:56

Check the oil level or how many quarts of oil does it take to show on the dipstick. If the car experienced oil starvation walk away.

Post by **rspi** » 09 Sep 2016, 23:26

Shaking is usually a misfire.

ashitaka695 · Post by **ashitaka695** » 09 Sep 2016, 23:44

Is the "shake" something that happens while it's being driven or just while it is running? I have a 94 850 and while it sits and idles it will give a little vibration or shake. Mine is from the motor mounts needing to be replaced. Also while driving it starts to shake going over 70 I'm pretty sure its the bushings and tie rods. These are a few things on mine that causes the little quirks.

Cees Klumper · Post by **Cees Klumper** » 11 Sep 2016, 00:28

My money is on misfire.

Sommerfeldt · Post by **Sommerfeldt** » 11 Sep 2016, 05:40

Cees Klumper wrote:My money is on misfire.

+1. Or someone switched the ignition cables around.

- S

Post by **tryingbe** » 11 Sep 2016, 08:16

ashitaka695 wrote:Is the "shake" something that happens while it's being driven or just while it is running? I have a 94 850 and while it sits and idles it will give a little vibration or shake. Mine is from the motor mounts needing to be replaced. Also while driving it starts to shake going over 70 I'm pretty sure its the bushings and tie rods. These are a few things on mine that causes the little quirks.

ChadLee wrote:Suddenly the car started shaking and she parked it and did not look back.

If the engine shakes enough for someone to park it and not to drive it, you know it's super serious shake. Could be misfire, could be bad plug(s), could be no/low compression, could be at lot of things. Would "I" go look at the car and do some testing? Sure. I can put engine/transmission/whatever in. Would I suggest someone wanting a project to look at the car? Sure, if they are capable and willing to change an engine for worst case situation. Anyone less than that, no.

PS, you should really change those mounts and fix whatever else is wrong with your car.

Sommerfeldt wrote:Or someone switched the ignition cables around.

ChadLee wrote:Suddenly the car started shaking and she parked it and did not look back.

Someone "suddenly" switched the ignition cables? I don' think so.

Sommerfeldt · Post by **Sommerfeldt** » 11 Sep 2016, 14:41

tryingbe wrote:Someone "suddenly" switched the ignition cables? I don' think so.

None of us have seen the car. Or felt the shake. So just how "super serious" it is, is guesswork for all of us. Same goes for how "suddenly" this happened, and what led up to it. Fact is, it can be a couple of bad plugs. Or someone switched the cables around because of whatever. Or, it could be a lot of other things.

- S

Post by **tryingbe** » 11 Sep 2016, 16:28

Every thread on every car forum is a guess work for everyone who can't touch the car.

I hate repeating so I'll just leave this here, I'm out.

tryingbe wrote:Could be misfire, could be bad plug(s), could be no/low compression, could be at lot of things. Would "I" go look at the car and do some testing? Sure. I can put engine/transmission/whatever in. Would I suggest someone wanting a project to look at the car? Sure, if they are capable and willing to change an engine for worst case situation. Anyone less than that, no.