Engine quivers after replacing head gaskets

[johnsmellsalot]

I replaced my head gaskets back in September. Now whenever im idling, I can feel my engine quiver. What might cause this?

Could it be a bad pcv valve? There's still some antifreeze/oil mixture on it. I took the cylinder heads and other stuff to get cleaned before reinstalling them but there's still stuff on the pcv valve.

 

[Papa Bear]

Geez, John, at least tell us what kind of vehicle it is ......

 

[91344George]

My first thought is that a vacuum leak is occurring somewhere check to make sure all vacuum hoses and related items are properly installed and connections are tight.

 

[johnsmellsalot]

It's a 1999 Buick Century with a 3.1 liter engine.

 

[oilmaven]

My sister has a 2000 Buick Century. The original owner replaced the intake gasket and we've replaced everything else. At 120,000 miles she just spent a ton on a new steering rack, CV shafts, front wheel bearings, several suspension bushings and a new set of tires. The drivetrain is still great...engine and trans are smooth and the car uses no oil...gas mileage is decent too. The interior is another story...door moldings hanging loose, faded dash and seats (was a Florida car that obviously sat in the sun) and at least 3 window regulator replacements. The good news is the rockers haven't rotted out yet due to not being exposed to salt until last year...figure they'll hold a couple more years until they start to rust (ALL the Buick Centurys of that vintage around here have rusted-out rockers...and a lot of the LeSabres too...kudos to GM for that great design achievement).

 

[edwardh1]

Originally Posted By: oilmaven
My sister has a 2000 Buick Century. The original owner replaced the intake gasket and we've replaced everything else. At 120,000 miles she just spent a ton on a new steering rack, CV shafts, front wheel bearings, several suspension bushings and a new set of tires. The drivetrain is still great...engine and trans are smooth and the car uses no oil...gas mileage is decent too. The interior is another story...door moldings hanging loose, faded dash and seats (was a Florida car that obviously sat in the sun) and at least 3 window regulator replacements. The good news is the rockers haven't rotted out yet due to not being exposed to salt until last year...figure they'll hold a couple more years until they start to rust (ALL the Buick Centurys of that
vintage around here have rusted-out rockers...and a lot of the LeSabres too...kudos to GM for that great design achievement).


my 84 olds steering rack failed, gm did recall them all but only after 6 or 8 years, and only paid if your car had less than 50000 miles on it. recall was worthless, caused by them using aluminum in the rack piston area

 

[PF52]

Originally Posted By: edwardh1
Originally Posted By: oilmaven
My sister has a 2000 Buick Century. The original owner replaced the intake gasket and we've replaced everything else. At 120,000 miles she just spent a ton on a new steering rack, CV shafts, front wheel bearings, several suspension bushings and a new set of tires. The drivetrain is still great...engine and trans are smooth and the car uses no oil...gas mileage is decent too. The interior is another story...door moldings hanging loose, faded dash and seats (was a Florida car that obviously sat in the sun) and at least 3 window regulator replacements. The good news is the rockers haven't rotted out yet due to not being exposed to salt until last year...figure they'll hold a couple more years until they start to rust (ALL the Buick Centurys of that
vintage around here have rusted-out rockers...and a lot of the LeSabres too...kudos to GM for that great design achievement).


my 84 olds steering rack failed, gm did recall them all but only after 6 or 8 years, and only paid if your car had less than 50000 miles on it. recall was worthless, caused by them using aluminum in the rack piston area


I had a red bike when I was a kid.

 

[QuadDriver]

aha.....3.1 he says.....

1) you DID replace the headbolts with new right? the TTY (torque to yield) bolts on the original should not be used over

2) there is a coolant xfer port in the intake which leaks into the crank if you split that gasket.

hint: rtv black on the intake ports, blue on the water, red on anything else and torque down both 'side' (front and rear) at the same time, i.e. 1 and 2, 3 and 4 etc in the torque sequence.

 

[johnsmellsalot]

Yes, I did all of that.
Originally Posted By: QuadDriver
aha.....3.1 he says.....

1) you DID replace the headbolts with new right? the TTY (torque to yield) bolts on the original should not be used over

2) there is a coolant xfer port in the intake which leaks into the crank if you split that gasket.

hint: rtv black on the intake ports, blue on the water, red on anything else and torque down both 'side' (front and rear) at the same time, i.e. 1 and 2, 3 and 4 etc in the torque sequence.