I need help!!

[gracie01]

I've got a few questions and I hope somebody can tell me what is wrong with my car. I have a 1993 Chevy Cavalier z24. It has over 125,000 miles. I've only had it for a couple of months and whenever I put it in reverse it starts shaking really bad. The shaking is only in the seat and steering wheel. What causes this? Also, when I accelerate it makes a funny sound. It sounds like it is coming from the dash. It only does this when I first start it up. After driving around for a while, it stops and runs really good. Could I have just gotten bad gas or did I tear something up when I drug bottom? Somebody said that it might be my motor mount, what is that? Somebody also said that since it is an older model car it might just be cold natured, had anybody else heard that before?

[richtazz]

Check the "dog bone" motor mount on the bottom front of the engine. They are a common problem on V-6 J-bodies, and will allow the engine to rock back and forth too much. When the engine moves, it can bind the drivetrain causing the vibration in reverse. If the funny sound in the dash is similar to when you run over rumble strips on the X-way (only quieter), it's just because the car is old. My 91 RS convertible, and my dad's 93 Z-24 convertible make the same noise, and we've found nothing wrong with either car. the guage cluster is the culprit and the odometers get noisy.

[public]

Ditto the "dog bone" motor mount.

[gracie01]

Thanks for your help, but what does a motor mount look like and how much will it cost to get fixed?

[Classicrocjunkie]

for someone who dosn't know car parts... 2 mounts near front of the car that look like dog bones.. I am assuming you have the 3.1 right? If so then that them.

[gracie01]

I went and had my car looked at and the guy said it wasn't my motor mount or my alignment. But he did say that it was misfiring somewhere. That's all he told me. What exactly does that mean? Do I just need a tune up? Also, is it safe to drive?

[public]

3.1 liters are known for plugged fuel injectors. Try some good cleaner. A tune up (plugs and wires) may also cure this issue. I don't think it is anything serious. Plugs, wires, and cleaning the injectors has probabily a better than 90% chance of solving your problem. Good Luck.

[richtazz]

make sure he checked the motor mount on the bottom, driver's side. Unlike most GM cars, the "dog bone" is on the bottom, not the top.

[gracie01]

What brand of cleaner do you suggest I get? So, I should still get a tune up and use a cleaner or just one? Also, he would have checked to bottom of the car when he raised it up. Right?

[pennypicher]

any type of carb or injector cleaner. double the dose and drive for a while to push it thru thre engine. put it in and fill your tank.

[public]

I have had good luck with STP in the black bottle. I have an old 89 chevy that has used the stuff since 1990 or so and it still runs great at 300,000 miles. I guess it must be an okay product.

Hopefully he would have checked the dogbone insert when he looked under the car.