2003 vs 2001 Echo vibration

[dkrivosheyev]

Hi all!

I have 2 Echos - one is 2001 2-door Manual and the other is 2003 4-door automatic (just bought recently). For some reason the automatic one has significantly more vibration while is Park or Drive compared to the manual one. In fact, if you touch the bumper of 2003 echo while idling, you can feel vibration on the bumper, hood, fenders, and 2001 does not do this. I have brand new OEM spark plugs, new air filter, cleaned MAF sensor, replaced ATF - the vibration has improved but still noticable compared to 2001 manual Echo. Any ideas what esle can I check?

Thank you!

[05_Echo]

Maybe check the engine/tranny mounts but my wifes 05 Echo has had a vibration from new and it's an auto so maybe it's just the way the auto is..

[dkrivosheyev]

Originally Posted by 05_Echo

Maybe check the engine/tranny mounts but my wifes 05 Echo has had a vibration from new and it's an auto so maybe it's just the way the auto is..

I already checked the mounts, they are good. Possibly that is the way the automatic is, it's just strange that even in neutral it vibrates more than our 01 manual Echo. I almost want to check another automatic, I just don't know anybody with another Echo in this area. Is there anybody from Pensacola Fl area on this forum?

Thank you

[05_Echo]

Check your local dealer and see if they have one on the lot and act like you want to buy it I'm sure they will start it for you.

[dkrivosheyev]

Originally Posted by 05_Echo

Check your local dealer and see if they have one on the lot and act like you want to buy it I'm sure they will start it for you.

Unfortunately, Echos are very rare in this area. We had to drive 500 miles to buy our 2003 echo couple of months ago.

[new echo owner]

How many miles do you have on the 03'?

N.E.O.

[dkrivosheyev]

Originally Posted by new echo owner

How many miles do you have on the 03'?

N.E.O.

It has 94,000 miles

[new echo owner]

Sometimes, engine or transmission mounts can cause vibration even if they are not torn or look good. A collapsed or compressed insulator on the mounts will transmit vibration.

There is also some thing you can try, which may or may not work for you. Loosening all the mounts and insulators from the frame, not completely off, just enough to allow them shift around. Shift the transmission from drive to reverse a few times. Re-tighten all the nuts and bolts, then check it again if it helps.

N.E.O.

[dkrivosheyev]

Originally Posted by new echo owner

Sometimes, engine or transmission mounts can cause vibration even if they are not torn or look good. A collapsed or compressed insulator on the mounts will transmit vibration.

There also some thing you can try, which may or may not work for you. Loosening all the mounts and insulators from the frame, not completely off, just enough to allow them shift around. Shift the transmission from drive to reverse a few times. Re-tighten all the nuts and bolts, then check it again if it helps.

N.E.O.

Thank you, this is very interesting, I've never heard about this idea before, even when I was a mechanic. I will try it. What is interesting that our 01 manual Echo has 134,000 miles on it, but it vibrates a lot less. Technically those engine mounts should be in a worse shape than the ones on 03 Echo, but apparently they are not. I also noticed that the even the radiator on the 03 Echo vibrates more at idle than on the 01 Echo. So these mounts definitely transfer more vibration. Maybe automatic has stiffer mounts than manual?

[new echo owner]

Not sure if the mounts are made of different materials or not. My 00 with 5 speeds idles great too, can barely feel the engine running at stop lights.

N.E.O.