SureTrack Real Fix: Not So Good Vibrations

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Real Fixes from the SureTrack® expert information resource are documented issues from actual shop repair records and community discussions. Read on to see how SureTrack can help you correct issues that are not easily diagnosed using OEM information alone. SureTrack is available at no additional cost in our ProDemand product.

Vibrations that only happen when you’re driving can be very hard to diagnose and sometimes can lead you away from the actual cause. SureTrack community member Jeffytune had a Subaru Crosstrek in their shop that had such a vibration and thought it was coming from the engine. They posed the question to the community, and with the help of fellow community member Oimoens and others, they were able to resolve the issue quickly.

The following Community Fix summarizes the interaction between members of the community that led to the solution.

Vehicle
2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek Limited 2.0L

Title
Engine vibration, rebuild transmission.

Complaint
Customer complains of engine vibration when driving.

Diagnostic Steps Performed/Parts Replaced
The customer has complained about a roughness/vibration since he bought it last year. We have checked for codes and found none. I have run the engine with the scan tool on the misfire data stream, no misfires register (0 on all 4 cylinders). We have suggested a set of spark plugs, an intake and throttle cleaning as well as a PCV valve. The engine runs smooth at idle, it’s when you get it to 2000 it has a shake you can feel in the seat and the wheel.

When the vehicle first came in, the 4WD had failed and we removed the transmission to have the transfer case rebuilt by our local transmission shop. The shake was there before the transfer case repair, and is still there. It is mild but annoying. The customer came in for a oil change and talked with the boss about this issue, the vehicle has 140K on it and we do not know if the spark plugs have been done, so the boss sold him all this stuff, I am not sure any of this will help or not. The transmission torque converter instruction do not say it has to be timed, but it was doing this beforehand, so I am discounting this at this time.

Best Answer from Community Member Oimoens
I just had one of these Crosstreks, it ended up getting a transmission replacement under warranty. It had a noise/vibration on it. It was a bit newer, but check that out, I think there was a bulletin about it.

Cause
After redirecting our attention to the transmission as suggested it was found that it was indeed the source of the vibration.

Correction
Transmission is the cause and has been removed and sent out for rebuild.

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About the Author

Nick Taylor

Nick Taylor is the SureTrack Community Administrator and a Senior Applications Specialist at Mitchell 1 with over 25 years of experience with electronic repair data systems. Nick previously worked in the automotive dismantling and engine rebuilding industries.