is it normal to actually see the 4-cylinder engine vibrate in the 2007 Camry?

[ToyotaLexus]

I have a 2007 Camry, 4-cylinder model, with 13000 miles.

When I open the hood and look at the engine, I can clearly see that it's
vibrating. The vibration is stronger than the handheld massager that
my 80-year-old grandfather uses for his back.

I had two different Toyota dealers check it out. Both said the vibration
is normal, so I just took their words and ignored the issue.

However, I noticed that my new co-worker also drivers a 2007 Camry with
the same 4-cylinder engine, with 25000 miles on it.(almost double the mileage
of my '07 Camry) His 4-cylinder engine doesn't have the same vibration as
mine. I asked him to drive with me to the Toyota dealer this afternoon.
I got the same mechanic to come out and take a look. With both Camrys
parked next to each other and the hood open, I showed the mechanic how
much difference there was. He admitted that my engine vibrates a lot, while
my co-worker's barely vibrates at all. Still, he claims there's nothing wrong.

I think there's gotta be something wrong... the 4-cylinder engine in my
co-worker's Camry is so smooth, I tried putting a can of soda on the engine
cover with the engine running... it stayed there and never moved. Tried the
same with my Camry's engine... the can fell off in less than 1 second.

any advice appreciate!

[liquidi3ladz]

Is it possible that oil weight could effect it?

[2k4CamThrilla]

could be...but do they use the same oil if they both get there car serviced at the same dealer

[EvoFire]

Take a video.

Generally a engine would vibrate more if the engine mounts are worn, but you only have 13000 miles, its hard for that to happen.

[danorthface]

could it be the gas you use..? causing engine knock?

[gdanaher]

There are other things to consider before getting exciting. First, did you use a tachometer to verify that both engines were idling at exactly the same speed? I'd guess off the top that your friend's engine was idling a little faster, right? Speed yours up a little, perhaps 50 rpm, and see if the vibration goes away.

[GT-R]

Was your A/C on?

[gdanaher]

Also remember that no two engines are identical. They are manufactured by robots. The crankshaft is balanced to within a specific tolerance. They can all be off a little, plus or minus. and some can be just dead on. The rods are balanced to within a couple grams as are the pistons, and are used in matched sets, but the valve timing is also a factor. The timing could be advanced or retarded a little due to octane differences in the fuel being used, and this is going to affect vibration at idle. And yes, the load on the engine at any particular time from the a/c compressor which pulls a few horsepower, the alternator which might be pulling to replenish a weak battery, all affect possible engine vibration. Check the vacuum and see if you have a leaky valve. It's not likely but possible. Certainly this would cause vibration at idle. In any event, if all of this is checked and no anomalies discovered, the engine is warrantied for 5 years or 60 thousand miles, so don't get all worked up about this.

[ToyotaLexus]

I just found out that the dealer had alreayd replaced the engine mounts, which didn't make any difference...(since I never detected any reduction in vibration) They just didn't tell me about it because it was covered with warranty.

the service manager at the Toyota dealer contacted the Toyota district office... they asked me to bring my car in again next Tuesday, so someone from Toyota can check it out. Not sure what, if anything different, a Toyota corporate technician will say.... (but the dealer is still saying there's nothing wrong with my car, so far, despite the very noticeble vibrations)

right now I'm not too worried... the case is being documented by both the local Toyota dealer, as well as the Toyota district office... I do have the 7-year 100k-mile Toyota extended warranty... if something goes wrong with the engine down the road, I assume I'll be covered. I'll just have to learn to live with the vibrations...

[TRD VVTi]

So your complaint is that you don't like looking at your engine while it's running because it vibrates more than someone else's...

There are production variations. Some engines are smoother than others, and some make more power than others. It's normal. I suggest that stop opening your hood and looking at your engine while it's running.

If it was miss-firing in any way (even without you feeling it), the MIL would be on.

Your username may be part of the problem.

[ToyotaLexus]

Originally Posted by TRD VVTi

So your complaint is that you don't like looking at your engine while it's running because it vibrates more than someone else's...

.......

Your username may be part of the problem.

well... I also feel the strong vibration with the engine running, gear in "P" , while sitting inside the passenger cabin. (the AC, stereo, lights, and all accessories are completely off) For example, the steering wheel vibrates, and the front passenger seat(unoccupied) vibrates, and drinks in the cupholder shake like crazy...

my user name? I guess you may be right... it may be the part of the problem... my other car is a 10-year-old Lexus SUV with 150,000 miles on the original engine... it's still as smooth as the day I bought it, which means I bare feel the engine running at idle.

[TRD VVTi]

Can you post a vid of all the things that you're experiencing?

[Zembonez]

Feeling the vibration inside the car might be a legit complaint but you are being more than a little nutty anal by "watching for vibrations" from under the hood... You must have a lot of free time to spend trying to find something wrong with your vehicle.

All cars have some sort of vibration when running. They are an assembly of parts and all of those parts have tolerances. Each therefore becomes an individual. Certainly no two are alike.

Unless there is a vibration that is way beyond "normal" there is little the dealer can do to re-engineer your car. It seems like it has become more of an obsession than an actual issue.