I just got my car running again after an opti/wp/fp/otvc wires/spark plug install.

I noticed that the car vibrates a decent amount at idle, enough to shake the steering wheel and headrest a little, however the rpms hold constant on the tach. I see absolutely no movement of the tach at idle, and the engine seems to be running fine.

The only thing I can think of it being is maybe the balancer? I noticed when I took it off there was a little weight in one of the holes. I didn't mark the location before I took the balancer off, but I noticed there was a little white line on the hub, so when I reinstalled it, I aligned the arrow on the balancer with the white mark on the hub.

Is there a proper way to know if the balancer is lined up correctly/ and has anyone had an excessive vibration problem at idle?

 

I have it. I removed the balancer and found TDC and installed it according to the service manual. Didnt make a difference. Other thing I changed at the time was the opti as well, and replaced the trans mount. .

 

Actually, I tried to remove it and turn it, but it seems that the balancer only goes on one way. if I try to install it in any other way, the bolt holes won't line up.

 

My car vibrates at idle too. But I have the mods in my sig with solid tranny and motor mounts!

Seriously how bad is this vibration you having?

 

what you are calling a balancer is not actually a balancer. its a neutrally weighted piece, which means any way you install it, it will not change the weight or balance of the motor. your vibration could just be in the natural harmonics of the motor, probably nothing to be alarmed about. the new trans mount is probably a little stiffer than the old worn out one and is passing through the harmonics to the rest of the cabin more than what you would have noticed before.

 

I'm starting to wonder if my plug gap could affect idle vibrations. However, like I said earlier, when I look at the tach, it doesn't move at all.

My plugs are NGK TR-55 Iridiums gapped at .045-.05.

 

If you have a stock motor I believe the gap is supposed to be at .035 I think its on the sticker on your radiator support.

 

Stock gap is .050"