Q: Loud sound punching vibration
When I start my car from a cold start or warm start the engine makes a loud automated sound that stops almost immediately. It doesn't sound like screeching but it’s not normal. When I lightly hold the brake pedal with my hands I can feel the engine's pistons firing or punching through the pedal – no specific pattern only a vibration or punch that’s not normal. Could it be the intake gasket or engine bearing? What do you think?
The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our
terms of service
for more details
Get an instant quote for your car
Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing
What others are asking
How do I adjust the pedals?
Each of your pedals (two if you have an automatic transmission, three if you have a manual) can adjust so that they sit at the ideal level for your feet. Adjusting your pedals requires a few simple steps. Locate the...
Tire has micro leak
Hi there. All tires will leak some air over time, but if it loses all of its air by the next day, then there is a problem. A tire shop should remove the tire from the wheel and inspect the...
After replacing battery, fuse box, & starter, the battery is still drained
Hello. If the battery is draining, then you typically have a failing body control module to the ignition switch. These commonly cause this on your vehicle. I usually start by testing the ignition switch first to see if there are...
Battery & airbag lights come on and SUV won't start
If you said the Check Engine Light (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/check-engine-light-is-on-inspection) came on, I would recommend starting there. Have a qualified mechanic pull the codes from your Chevrolet Tracker using an OBD2 scanner. Any codes found will lead the mechanic in the right...
Transmission has trouble changing out of 2nd and 3rd gear
Hi there. It is possible that the sensors have failed again (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/transmission-position-sensor-switch-replacement), but most of the time this is the result of a failure in the valve body itself. These valve bodies have a tendency to hold a lot of...
What does Cal mean
Hi there. Without knowing the make, model and year of your vehicle, it's hard to tell you what this particular error message means or how it might be related to the car not starting. In general, the CAL message on...
The car vibrates when engine running (idling).
Hi there. The engine and transmission mounts need to be replaced. The mounts keep the vehicle from vibrating when the engine is running and is most likely felt at idle. The shocks will no contribute to the vibration as the...
Does my transmission fluid need to be changed?
The color of used transmission fluid is not particularly relevant in judging the remaining life of the fluid. If the fluid is visibly contaminated with particulate matter and/or the fluid has a burnt odor, as a consequence of overheating, those...
Transfer case
Hello and thanks for writing in. As you may know, there are a number of things that can cause a transfer case to fail, such as failing U-joints, a bad transfer case output shaft seal (resulting in trans fluid leaking...
Related articles
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK
It’s It’s not a sedan and it’s not quite a sports car, but chances are that brand-loyal fans desiring that luxury-class hard-top convertible with some oomph under the hood won’t care. The SLK roadster boasts three attractive engine options, and...
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid
The The 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid is Mercedes' first hybrid SUV. It can perform light off-roading tasks while still being able to tow a good amount of weight. It has excellent fuel economy and drives just like the Mercedes-Benz M-Class...
How to Buy a Good Quality Gasket
There There are a wide variety of gasket types on a typical vehicle, from head gaskets which are installed between the cylinder head and the engine block to engine gaskets which seal out harmful elements and keep the engine safe...
Browse other content
Maintenance
Estimates
Services