[scrub]

Hi there,

I am owner of a recently bought 2011 CR-V with 120 k miles on it. While test driving I unfortunately did not realise it, but after driving in daily commuting, I pretty quick noticed a shuttering in the car.

To narrow it further down, I was watching it for a while now, but I still cannot figure out the exact source, this is why I'm hoping on some help from the experts here.

Here is the issue: As soon as I get to around 1.400 rpm in second gear and till around 1.800 to 1.900 rpm there is a shaking/trembling/shuddering coming from the engine (?), that is going through the whole car. Mostly it shows up when the engine is forced to work a little more, e.g. on slopes or steep hills, not so much in the flats.
As soon as I hit the gas and the rpm goes up, the shaking is gone. Same when the car is idling, for example when driving down a hill at that rpm. It is also not noticeable in first or in third gear (but it may be there nevertheless).

I've been searching the internet now a while for solutions, but so far unfortunately I did not find the right hint. The old owner showed me the maintenance record though, so I can tell pretty exactly what has been done with the car. Here is the list with the most recent repairs:

• 118 k: Replaced transmission fluid, decarbon, flash injectors, clean throttle body, replace serpentine drive belt
• 107 k: engine air intake tube replaced

I changed the engine mounts just last weekend, hoping that this would solve the issue. They were completely rocked down, unfortunately it changed nothing with the shaking.

Does anybody here have had the same issue or has a clue what the problem might be?

Thanks for any advice in advance!

 

[chidog]

Hi there,

• 118 k: Replaced transmission fluid, decarbon, flash injectors, clean throttle body, replace serpentine drive belt
• 107 k: engine air intake tube replaced

Thanks for any advice in advance!

Questions:

What was decarboned ?
What is FLASH injectors?

When throttle body is cleaned was it relearned?

Where the spark plugs changed and the valves set? Normal 100K service stuff !

What fluid used in the transmission?

Sounds like a miss your describing. Spark plugs and valve set may fix it.

Is the check engine light on? Need a good high end scan tool type scan.

Our 2011 had the whole timing chain set replaced at 120K miles 1 month before we got it. Depending on the oil change interval the previous owner did you could have similar.

 

[scrub]

I just sorted out the maintenance protocol. It says, word by word:

Decarbon, Flush injectors, clean throttle body decarb due flush injectors, decarbon, clean throttle body includes:

• flush fuel injectors
• clean injector nozzles of carbon deposits
• decreases rough idle
• increases performance
• throttle body service
• cleans throttle plate and carbon from throttle body
• engine decarb
• designed to remove carbon from valves and piston

About the drive belt it says:

Replace serpentine drive belt
Drive belt cracking.
Replaced outer drive belt(s)

There is no engine check light running. It doesn't say anything specific about the transmission oil, service was made at an authorised dealer, though. Everything has Honda part numbers on it, so I assume they use(d) the recommended transmission oil.

No records about spark plugs and valve set.

 

[Wes Kootenay]

I agree, it does sound like a misfire, though that should throw a code? Do you have an OBD scanner?
Checking the plugs and valve clearance would be a good start.
I guess 'decarbonizing' means throwing in a can of SeaFoam?
Not sure what engine mounts were 'rocked down' means? Did you also change the transmission mount?

 

[lsc9901]

Interesting ..... I seem to be having a very similar issue. I have about 125K on my 2011 CRV. Inbetween 40 and 50 if the engine is working, such as going up a small grade, it will shudder. As soon as I step on the gas and make it downshift it seems like the prblem goes away. That being said mine seems like a transmission issue. Any one have thoughts or possible solutions ?

 

[Wes Kootenay]

That does sound like a transmission issue. Triggers the usual questions, when was the transmission fluid last changed, was genuine Honda fluid used, how is the current level and colour on the dipstick?
Cheers!

 

[scrub]

I agree, it does sound like a misfire, though that should throw a code? Do you have an OBD scanner?
Checking the plugs and valve clearance would be a good start.
I guess 'decarbonizing' means throwing in a can of SeaFoam?
Not sure what engine mounts were 'rocked down' means? Did you also change the transmission mount?

Hi Wes,
What I don't get in that case is why it only would occur when the engine is under a specific load (and especially NOT when the rpm is really high!)?
As I said, no error code. I don't have an OBD scanner.

The 'decarbonizing' happened before I owned the car, so I cannot tell you. But I assume that it was not very much more than that.

'Rocked down' engine mounts means that every single replaced part had cracks in the rubber part. Yes, I also changed the transmission mount.

 

[DashingDaryl]

Does it shudder at a specific speed, or just at a specific RPM?

My thinking is if it is an RPM, then it is probably a tranny issue.

If it is a specific speed, I think it is a CV shaft.

 

[chimobile]

I agree, it does sound like a misfire, though that should throw a code? Do you have an OBD scanner?
Checking the plugs and valve clearance would be a good start.
I guess 'decarbonizing' means throwing in a can of SeaFoam?
Not sure what engine mounts were 'rocked down' means? Did you also change the transmission mount?

Checking long term fuel trims to see if they're high would be good to check too. There could be a vacuum leak and unfortunately those can be a real nightmare to track down.

 

[scrub]

Does it shudder at a specific speed, or just at a specific RPM?

My thinking is if it is an RPM, then it is probably a tranny issue.

If it is a specific speed, I think it is a CV shaft.

Hi Daryl,

In second gear speed almost necessarily comes along with rpm, but I figure it comes along with rpm.

 

[mtnbikeracer76]

Interesting ..... I seem to be having a very similar issue. I have about 125K on my 2011 CRV. Inbetween 40 and 50 if the engine is working, such as going up a small grade, it will shudder. As soon as I step on the gas and make it downshift it seems like the prblem goes away. That being said mine seems like a transmission issue. Any one have thoughts or possible solutions ?

You have a torque converter shudder. Flush the trans. Buy 9 qts of Honda DW-1 transmission fluid. Drain transmission. Approx 3 qts of fluid will come out. Add 3 qts of new fluid, with the vehicle running and foot on the brake, cycle through the gears, (park, reverse, neutral, and drive 3 or 4 times. Repeat this step one more time. When you drain the transmission for the 2nd time, add 3 more quarts, check fluid level, add if needed, the drive your car.

This trans flush method removes approx 85-90% of the old trans fluid. Also, don't forget to replace the in-line trans filter near the bottom f the radiator.

 

[lsc9901]

It may have been as simple as being a bit low of transmission fluid. I added a quart and the issue seems (knock on wood) to be gone for now. I'll likely do a transmission flush although the color looks fine.

 

[mtnbikeracer76]

When was the last time the transmission was serviced? If you're going to do a flush, you'll need 9 qts of DW-1 transmission fluid and if your V has one, there's a small inline filter directly behind the radiator. Replace that as well.