B7 2.0T engine vibration at idle

[WewannaB7]

I've read threads about this already, so I know the engine vibration at idle is inherent in the B7 2.0T engine, but has anyone here found any decent fix to this issue? Although my B7 is an 08 model year, it only has 17k miles on it (wife used to only use it to drive our son to school each day), and now I'm driving it 70 miles a day as my new to me daily driver. My old daily driver was a smooth V6 (Infiniti FX35), so I'm not very used to the engine vibrations shaking the whole car at idle.

Do I just have to live with it, or are there things I can do to lessen the massage chair effect at idle? Thx in advance.

[Charles.waite]

Correction, idle vibration is inherent in TIPTRONIC 2.0t b7s.

My manual idles so smoothly you can barely tell its on.

Also, just stop comparing the 2.0t to the VQ. Those VQ engines are fucking glorious, and unfortunately, the 2.0t will only let you down in comparison to those. (previous owner of a g35 and g37 here...)

[WewannaB7]

Yep, mine is a Tip. Oh swell. :)

[Cantalk]

Is the vibration enough that your rear-view mirror vibrates as well?
Could be motor mounts. Also, Tip or manual?

EDIT: Someone else got to this one before me. You get used to it. Kind of like a massage chair after a hard day at work

[Charles.waite]

New engine mounts and snub mount might help. Check to see if your drivers side one has crusty purple/red goo on it. If so its blown and should be replaced. Blown mounts can definitely introduce vibration into the cabin.

[B-Time]

Think some people have raised the idle a bit. There are a ton of threads on this.

[WewannaB7]

Thanks guys, but at only 17k miles, can the motor mounts be bad already?

The massage chair effect can be nice after a long day, but it's embarrassing when I have colleagues in my car at lunch, and the car shakes like a vibrator. Lol

My colleague's Buick Verano's 4 banger is smoother than the 2.0T!

[B7Joe]

Mine is also auto and low mileage and has been vibrating like mad, but only in reverse. I need to take a look at my motor mounts I guess. It will never, ever, ever be buttery smooth though. Not even close. :)

[Jake@JHM]

Check the alignment of the snub mount. If it is resting against the cage with the engine off it will cause vibrations.

[Cantalk]

Check the alignment of the snub mount. If it is resting against the cage with the engine off it will cause vibrations.

How would you go about fixing the alignment? IIRC, there's only two or three screws holding the bracket, and doesn't give you much room to mess with it, if at all.

Wewanna, these engines have been compared to diesels at idle. Although my friend's TDI seems to be smoother sometimes.

[WewannaB7]

Thanks all. Will check the mounts and probably get myself used to rolling around in a massage chair. :)

[WewannaB7]

I just figured that since I read that Audi fixed the issue in the B8 version of this engine, that there was a fix that can be applied. Oh well.

[Cantalk]

The B8 is a different engine. I think they changed the placement of the injectors to help with carbon build up. In any case, we've got the EA113, while the B8 has the EA888.

Did some more research, they also switched to chain drive with that engine.

[Audibot]

As an owner of a B7 Tiptronic A4, I can attest to the vibrations. I've done the replacement of the engine mounts (within the last 10k), transmission mounts (last week), and snub mount (2 years ago). I've also increased the idle revs. Thing still vibrates like a mofo. It varies at times, but can sometimes be much smoother (not unpleasant), while other times it will shakes my mirrors (all of them) and my headlights both vibe (used to only be the passenger side).

I've also noticed it tends to idle rougher on first turn on, and then if I come to stop after really using the throttle. If I stop after some relaxing [massaging] highway driving, it usually idles smoother.


I'll check out Jake's suggestion of checking the snub.


There is a thread somewhere on here where a guy deduced that the torque converter in the transmission is the culprit.

[WewannaB7]

Thanks for that feedback! I'm not gonna waste my time replacing all those items on my low mile engine given that info, cause it sounds like it will still vibrate no matter what. I'll just get used to this as a "feature". Thanks fellas!

[Jake@JHM]

How would you go about fixing the alignment? IIRC, there's only two or three screws holding the bracket, and doesn't give you much room to mess with it, if at all.

Wewanna, these engines have been compared to diesels at idle. Although my friend's TDI seems to be smoother sometimes.

You adjust the cage that the snub sits in, not the bracket that the snub slides onto. The cage has slotted holes and you can move it up or down so the snub is not touching.

As an owner of a B7 Tiptronic A4, I can attest to the vibrations. I've done the replacement of the engine mounts (within the last 10k), transmission mounts (last week), and snub mount (2 years ago). I've also increased the idle revs. Thing still vibrates like a mofo. It varies at times, but can sometimes be much smoother (not unpleasant), while other times it will shakes my mirrors (all of them) and my headlights both vibe (used to only be the passenger side).

I've also noticed it tends to idle rougher on first turn on, and then if I come to stop after really using the throttle. If I stop after some relaxing [massaging] highway driving, it usually idles smoother.


I'll check out Jake's suggestion of checking the snub.


There is a thread somewhere on here where a guy deduced that the torque converter in the transmission is the culprit.

If you want to easily diag the snub, just take the three bolts out of the snub bracket and pull snub completely out. Drive the car around with no snub and if the vibration is gone you know that was the issue. However, torque converters can cause an issue too of load is being built up (IE Holding the brake while stopped in drive) and they are failing.

[Alucard136]

Coils, plugs and snub mount are a cheap change and you should give it a try. Should go under 150 usd

[Jake@JHM]

Coils, plugs and snub mount are a cheap change and you should give it a try. Should go under 150 usd

We got everything for a great price too

https://jhmotorsports.com/shop/catal...-21_62_65.html

[Cantalk]

Now that you mention it, I do remember that being the case. Now I have something to do over Xmas break. For like an hour, at least. It may even take two, depending on the amount of breaks I take.

[Alucard136]

We got everything for a great price too

https://jhmotorsports.com/shop/catal...-21_62_65.html

You got everything at a great price ;)

[Charles.waite]

If you want to easily diag the snub, just take the three bolts out of the snub bracket and pull snub completely out. Drive the car around with no snub and if the vibration is gone you know that was the issue. However, torque converters can cause an issue too of load is being built up (IE Holding the brake while stopped in drive) and they are failing.

This. All this.

[Silveravant]

If it really bothers you shift in to neutral when stopped at lights, etc. Mine vibrates, but much less after replacing/adjusting the snub mount. Also check that the wire is connected to the driver's side mount. It is disconnected when changing the oil and sometimes people forget to reconnect.

[esandes]

italian tune up should fix that.

[Aim high]

You adjust the cage that the snub sits in, not the bracket that the snub slides onto. The cage has slotted holes and you can move it up or down so the snub is not touching.




If you want to easily diag the snub, just take the three bolts out of the snub bracket and pull snub completely out. Drive the car around with no snub and if the vibration is gone you know that was the issue. However, torque converters can cause an issue too of load is being built up (IE Holding the brake while stopped in drive) and they are failing.

That's an interesting idea.. What exactly is the purpose of a snub mount on a tiptronic if you don't mind me asking.. Is it some sort of transmission mount or shift cushion? What would be the effect of moving it and potential negative effects? Thanks jake

[Jake@JHM]

It controls the forward and backward tilting movement of the engine

[Sales@DriveAuto]

I would agree, the 2.0T's have some inherent vibration - if yours is really bad, there's probably something else going on. Motor mounts, snub mount, trans mount, even the down pipe being out of whack could cause excess vibrations. Visually inspect the mounts for wear, adjust the snub if necessary (Jake's procedure is on the money). If you want to bring it by one of our locations we can take a look as well.

[WewannaB7]

Thanks for the help guys. I am actually really doubting that there's anything wrong with the mounts as I've owned this car since new, and have barely used it over the years, so I gotta think it's just inherent in the design, and is a "feature" of this engine.

I'm actually starting to get used to the vibrator mode, and whenever I bring it to the stealership, they never mention it either so I will just live with it. Lol.

[Jake@JHM]

Thanks for the help guys. I am actually really doubting that there's anything wrong with the mounts as I've owned this car since new, and have barely used it over the years, so I gotta think it's just inherent in the design, and is a "feature" of this engine.

I'm actually starting to get used to the vibrator mode, and whenever I bring it to the stealership, they never mention it either so I will just live with it. Lol.

Takes 5 minutes to inspect the snub, doesn't hurt to check it out.

[Audibot]

Really wanted to today but stupid rain is cold haha

[WewannaB7]

Ok, sorry for resurrecting this thread, but there's good news!... I never entertained the thought that a motor mount could be bad on my car at as little mileage as 17k, so I just kept driving the car thinking that that annoying vibration at idle was inherent in the design of the b7 with tip tranny. Well, it got so bad that I could feel the vibration even from outside the car when adding air to the front tires (the wheel even vibrated). Now at 30k miles, at my dealer when they did an oil change, they noticed the passenger side motor mount was cracked and leaking. Replaced the mount, and now, 90% of the vibration is gone. It feels almost as smooth at idle as the newer b8 cars. Amazing! No more massage chair effect at stoplights!