Having a bad air filter can cause rough idling. Your vehicle may be shaking when turning on the engine, or whilst driving. It can also show inconsistencies with your RPM meter. These are all symptoms of a bad air filter and should be investigated immediately.
Knowing what to look for will help in fixing the problem. Here is more information on rough idling and its causes.
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What exactly is rough idle?
Idling is when you turn on the vehicle’s engine and let it run without putting it in gear or pressing down on the accelerator. Your RPM should then remain in the region of 1,000. If it is inconsistent and is either much lower or much higher than 1,000, you are experiencing a rough idle.
A smooth idle is dependent on having the right mixture of airflow and fuel providing enough power to features such as power steering, electrical system, or cooling system and should therefore be further investigated to avoid damage to any of these. Rough idling may be the cause of many contributing factors that can either be fixed by you or a mechanic.
Can a bad air filter cause rough idle?
Many factors contribute to a rough idle. With a bad air filter being one of them. You are also going to want to look at whether you have dirty fuel injectors, a clogged engine air filter, or bad spark plugs, to name a few.
A vehicle’s air filter is an important mechanism and ensures that clean air, as well as the correct amount of air, is entering the engine. It also stops dust and air from entering the engine. A clogged air filter leads to dirty air entering the engine and can then cause a rough idle. It can even cause reduced fuel consumption.
Cleaning the air filter can be a complicated task, but here are some ways in which you can do it.
How to tell if the air filter is causing rough idle
The air filter essentially purifies the engine and therefore needs to be maintained to prevent any kind of dirt build-up. A dirty air filter can cause a rough idle so looking at the causes is very important in avoiding problems in the long run.
You should change the air filter regularly to ensure that you do not experience idling rough problems. The folded paper element that makes up the air filter is what needs to be changed or, you can get a mechanic to insert a new filter.
Lack of acceleration
A dirty air filter can cause a lack of acceleration as it may be blocking the clean air supply to the engine which may result in decreased performance and a slow start.
Poor performance
Poor engine performance may be another result of a dirty air filter. You will not only experience a rough idle but also engine misfires and a hard start. Clogged air filters can cause unburned fuel to form accumulated dirt and soot residue on the spark plugs. This, therefore, leads to the decreased delivery of the spark needed for the combustion process.
Strange engine noises
If you are experiencing any kind of shaking from your vehicle or if your engine is making unusual engine sounds such as coughing or popping sounds. It may be due to a dirty air filter that is damaging the spark plug.
Is the engine light on?
You must check the engine light, if it is on then this may also be the cause of a dirty air filter. It may be the result of clean air not being able to reach the engine and therefore creating a buildup of carbon deposits.
Other bad air filter problems
Rough idle causes are not only caused by a dirty air filter and could be the cause of other air filter problems. Looking at other parts of the vehicle’s systems is important when trying to figure out what needs to be fixed or replaced.
PCV valve
The PCV valve is responsible for taking unburned gas and moving it into the crankcase and then back to the engine for it to be burned correctly. This too can be prone to a clogged filter, and oil leaks and can ultimately lead to the engine working poorly, a decrease in mileage, and an increase in the vehicle emissions system.
Oxygen sensor
The oxygen sensor is also part of the vehicle’s emissions system and requires a code reader to find its problems. You are going to want to listen for a hissing sound that can result in turning on the Check Engine Light.
A vehicle with a high mileage
If your vehicle has high mileage and is over 100 000 miles, you may want to check the compression of the engine’s cylinders. This is a more serious problem and should be investigated by a mechanic if you are unable to do it yourself.
A failed carburetor
If your vehicle is emitting black smoke from the exhaust you may want to check the carburetor. The carburetor regulates the air and fuel going into the engine which can lead to rough idling. It is a common problem in many older vehicle models. You should remove carbon deposits from the vehicle’s carburetor to prevent this from happening.
If you have a new model you may want to check the distributor cap and the rotor in the vehicle’s ignition system.
Failed spark plugs
You are going to want to remove the spark to see what it looks like. There are different kinds of deposits to look for when checking the spark. This is the easiest way for a car owner to check if there are any problems with the vehicle’s air filter.
- Ash deposits will indicate if your fuel is of poor quality or if you have an oil leak.
- Carbon deposits will indicate if the spark is not strong enough for the too-rich mixture.
- Oil deposits will indicate if the piston rings are in a bad condition and if the valve is leaking.
- There should be a sufficient distance or gap between the electrodes and the feeler gauge.
