Q: vy Cruze 1.4 and now the engine has mild idle when at a stop or Parked

asked by on November 29, 2017

Just replaced the valve cover and the spark plugs now experiencing a mild idle when the car is stoped or parked. I’ve tripled checked everything was placed correctly as far as the gasket(valve cover) and the spark plugs. Also noticed multiple oil drops around the oil pan. Could it be the gasket?

My car has 124000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

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


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Ran out of oil and engine knocked, is it broken?
Hello! Thank you for writing in with this question. First off, stop trying to crank the engine. It may have seized up and by continuing to crank it you will likely damage the internal engine components and make it a...
Battery draining
These sound like the symptoms of an alternator failure. The alternator can cause all sorts of weird electrical symptoms if it has gone bad. While the battery is responsible for starting the vehicle, the alternator's job is to charge the...
EPC light
Any number of dozens of sensors, control modules, or computers can be causing your issue. Including the oil pressure switch (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/oil-pressure-sensor-replacement) being disconnected. The only way to know why exactly the light is coming on is to have the system...
What causes an ignition relay to go bad?
Hi, thanks for your question. If the relay is not making a good contact inside the relay socket, I suggest inspecting the old relays that came out and see if one or more of the pins look like they got...
Car cranks but won't start.
Hello. I would need to know what kind of Ford this is to know for sure what may be going on. Most of the time on these older Ford models the issue is fuel-related. It may be a result of...
When I turn the key the lights come on fine, but sometimes it is hard to crank up. It makes a fast ticking noise
Hello, thanks for writing in. It sounds like either your battery voltage is low, or you have a corroded battery terminal, or both. Check the battery posts for corrosion, if you find a blob of blue green fuzzy stuff there,...
Car makes a medium pitched whine or growl in sync with rpms.
If you are hearing the noise at idle when the car is not moving, generally the noise you are describing originates in the engine, the transmission (torque converter runs even at idle), and/or the accessory drives. However, if there is...
Can a bad mass airflow sensor cause a car to shut off
Hi There, This could potentially cause the car to die when you come to a stop, depending on how bad the problem or signal from the mass air flow sensor is. The mass air flow sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/mass-airflow-sensor-replacement) monitors air intake...
Steering wheel is stiff
Hi there. Typically when your steering wheel feels stiff, it's an indication of two different possible issues. First, that you have a power steering fluid leak and the system is low on fluid or second, that there is an issue...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Ford Mustang
The The Ford Mustang has been an iconic vehicle for half a century, and its latest styling and updates only make it more attractive and more popular with American drivers. While its exterior may not be quite as eye-catching as...
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Mercedes Benz S350 BlueTec
The The 2012 Mercedes Benz S350 BlueTec brings diesel to the S-Class line in an extravagant way. With exceptional luxury, comfort and performance, you’ll have to schedule a test drive just to experience it for yourself. Once you do, you...
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Nissan Murano
The The 2012 Nissan Murano is a sleek crossover SUV that has all the modern amenities. It has ample interior space with a luxurious feel, and a driver oriented suspension. If you need a vehicle that can hold passengers and...