Engine shaking on 1998 ek1 civic? Question of concern

**Honda** · 18-07-2012 03:34 PM

For some reason the engine on my ek1 civic was shaking as i was flushing the coolant... and also it shakes even more when i turn the air conditioner on hot. would anyone know the cause? and if this is normal?

The shaking only started happening after i had flushed the coolant, the engine was shaking so much that it could be felt while sitting in the car. The brake, power steering fluids were also rapidly moving back and forth.

After i replaced the coolent with the new, it happened again. I then took it for a drive around the block (around 7mins) and the shaking stopped and the car is fine. I think the possible cause was that the coolant didn't circulate properly or the timming belt was out of place as the car was on a jack (one side only)

Even though the car is fine now, just wanted to know your thoughts on it.

**senna** · 18-07-2012 03:57 PM

Was the car running when you drained the coolant?

**Honda** · 18-07-2012 04:00 PM

Originally Posted by senna

Was the car running when you drained the coolant?

Yes that is correct

**impossi13le** · 18-07-2012 05:46 PM

could be the water pump, when you drained the coolant it was spinning without anything to pump. not 100% sure but

**Mikecivic78** · 18-07-2012 06:11 PM

WTH? when u drain it, the engine should be off

**Lukey** · 18-07-2012 06:19 PM

Originally Posted by Mikecivic78

WTH? when u drain it, the engine should be off

this,

**impossi13le** · 18-07-2012 11:37 PM

Originally Posted by Mikecivic78

WTH? when u drain it, the engine should be off

+1

Excessive heat from the running engine not being cooled by the coolant could have caused the whole system to pressurise quite a lot, could have ****ed something up.

You'd only need to turn on the heater to hasten up the coolant circulation through the system AFTER you have put in new coolant, not whilst draining the old. Timing belt won't be out of place because the car is on jack stands.

**SLOBRO** · 18-07-2012 11:50 PM

your idle control runs off coolant so if there is no water the computer wont know what temp the car is at to adjust the idle

**senna** · 19-07-2012 11:30 AM

problems.....

**Mikecivic78** · 19-07-2012 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by SLOBRO

your idle control runs off coolant so if there is no water the computer wont know what temp the car is at to adjust the idle

hence the shaking.

OP - Do some research on home mechanics if you are going to DIY. Either that or take it to a professional - you are damn lucky you didn't overheat the car and blow a head gasket... I know it sounds extreme but it could of happened.

**Honda** · 19-07-2012 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by Mikecivic78

hence the shaking.

OP - Do some research on home mechanics if you are going to DIY. Either that or take it to a professional - you are damn lucky you didn't overheat the car and blow a head gasket... I know it sounds extreme but it could of happened.

we followed many videos on youtube.. but it wasnt as expected. part of the video was to have the water running down the radiator while the engine was turned on.. as soon as we figured the engine started shaking we stopped as it didnt seem right

i guess this a lesson to be learnt!