I have a 02 maxima with a 146000 on it and I noticed that the motor shakes a little while it's just idling. What is causing this motor mounts?

 

misfire?

 

I don't think so not pulling any codes

 

possible small vacuum leak that hasn't triggered a code yet? Check clamps around MAF tubing and throttle body.

 

more detail.....
cold or hot engine? all the time? vibration or chugging? only in "p" or gear? and change in pitch from the motor sound when idleing and vibrating? standard or auto? does it happen only when idle or when cruising at low rpm too? does changing gears feel mooshy or to firm? whats your idle at when its vibrating? ( tell us if its in gear or in "p" because there is obviously a difference in idle if its in gear or not) it could be iacv, a torn mount(s) there made of rubber obviously, they wear and need to be changed just like your tires do did any work get done prior to this, any really hard driving done befor you noticed this?

 

When the car has been warmed up and it is in gear. Kinda shakes while idling every 3 seconds.

 

Car idles at about 500 rpm, how can you check to see if your motor mounts are bad

 

it depends.... if you own a standard max( i can tell you do because its idleing at 500 rpms) then your mounts are the basic ureathane mounts, a visual inspection to assure there are no cracks... for the driver side mount you may have to take the wheel and fender liner out to get a good look... the front mount.... you should be able to see clearly from the top engine bay in between the rad and block, a good way to inspect them ( some people recommend using a prybar placed on the subframe under the mount and pushing up on the mount where it mounts to the engine. if it has more than a half inch play it should be replaced... i dont recommend doing it that way.... the best way for a standard car is to find a flat surface like a parking lot somewhere with the vehicle off, in gear, and ebrake down, you and a friend hold on to the rad support and start swaying the car back and forth and you will be able to see how much play is in the mounts. if the motor is kicked back hard when it hits the gear you know a mount(s) is bad. there will obviously be play with the motor regardless of good mounts or not. but if the motor is moving a substantial amount you can determine one or more mounts are weathered or cracked.....

good luck i hope this makes sense!!!! it hard to explain on the computer....

 

I usually use fuel system cleaner every 4 to 5K miles. Helps the idling. Do not know if this will help you.

 

Just did the seafoam a couple of days ago, no improvement.