My 03 Corolla runs rough at idle

[desertbluesman]

What could be the reason that my engine shakes roughly when it is idling when warmed up? It has been that way for some time. It is not shaking the car apart but it shakes the car a bit when idling in gear, Is this common?

 

[05corolla]

Have you changed intake gaskets?

 

[desertbluesman]

No I have not changed intake Gaskets, it shakes worse when it is in reverse for some reason. And it shakes very little when the car is idling in neutral.

 

[05corolla]

any codes? CEL on? Miles?

 

[desertbluesman]

No codes, no CEL, 97000+ miles Went through Inspection which checks the codes with flying colors. It has been running rough for years truthfully.

 

[desertbluesman]

Went through Arizona inspection that is.

 

[05corolla]

Checked vacuum lines or pcm?

 

[desertbluesman]

Thanks.

 

[Tami]

Engine light is on but nobody knows why.

 

[salcuta88]

Check vacuum hose behind the intake manifold. If that slides out a bit, it will be very rough. If not, change your intake gasket. A $5 part that makes a bid difference.

 

[jamestrenda]

Mine used to do this, too. Finally the check engine light came on and I took it in for service. This was earlier this year. Don't remember exactly what they said was the cause, but they did end up fixing several major things, including a new water pump, intake manifold gasket, thermostat, and timing chain tensioner. It doesn't shake or feel like it's going to die anymore while idling. FYI, the intake manifold gasket cost $90 plus $160 in labor.

 

[05corolla]

It's definitely the intake gasket

 

[jamestrenda]

It's definitely the intake gasket

Yeah, I can't be certain, but I'm pretty sure that's what they said it was, too, when I first called to set up my service appointment. It's not a good feeling when your baby sounds like it's going to crap out on you at a stop light on your way to work.

 

[05corolla]

Mine did a similar thing once I changed it to the orange gasket it ran awesome.

 

[jamestrenda]

Mine did a similar thing once I changed it to the orange gasket it ran awesome.

You make it sound like it was an easy fix. Maybe you should post a tutorial for others?

 

[salcuta88]

Mine used to do this, too. Finally the check engine light came on and I took it in for service. This was earlier this year. Don't remember exactly what they said was the cause, but they did end up fixing several major things, including a new water pump, intake manifold gasket, thermostat, and timing chain tensioner. It doesn't shake or feel like it's going to die anymore while idling. FYI, the intake manifold gasket cost $90 plus $160 in labor.

Go away. The gasket is $5 at autozone! You got ripped off.

 

[05corolla]

$12 at dealer my brother is a ASE tech at a Toyota dealer sorry

 

[05corolla]

$12 at dealer my brother is a ASE tech at a Toyota dealer sorry

 

[jamestrenda]

Go away. The gasket is $5 at autozone! You got ripped off.

I'm not sure why I need to "go away". I'm just sharing my experience. The cost of the repair seemed accurate based on my research. I found the $5 part you referred to, but I don't know what to tell you other than thats what they charged me and they have a good reputation in my town. I also asked a co-worker of mine who used to be a mechanic and he thought it seemed fair too. Maybe it wasn't exactly the same part/repair that you all are thinking it is.

 

[desertbluesman]

Thanks for your replies. Next time in to service I will ask for an intake manifold gasket inspection/change.