Reduce vibration of a 3 cylinder engine

BLV · 12-11-2023 6:52pm #1

A brand new Seat Arona vibrates significantly when RPM drops below 1K. In traffic it is very uncomfortable and the engine start/stop function does not make it any better as itself it is quite violent and the car shakes a lot when the engine starts/stops.

Is there anything can be done mechanically to reduce vibration or is it possible to increase idle RPM to above 1K?

FintanMcluskey · 12-11-2023 6:54pm

Sounds like there may be an issue with engine mounts imo

BLV · 12-11-2023 6:55pm

I went to the dealer but they could not help, they showed me another brand new Arona and its engine was shaking as much.

tabby aspreme · 12-11-2023 7:02pm

Some of the 3 cylinder engine's run on 2 cylinder's when not under load, to increase fuel economy, is this what is happening with your car

BLV · 12-11-2023 7:04pm

I don’t know, but I would assume an even number of cylinders would run smoother?

warrior00 · 12-11-2023 7:12pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121359437#Comment_121359437

The lowest cylinder I would go for is 6, preferably straight 6. I'm currently in a V8 but I owned a number of straight 6 BMW engine cars. A 325Ci and a e46 M3 for a fair few years.

djan · 12-11-2023 9:38pm

Small 3 cylinder engines are quite rough due to their mechanical design. This is exaggerated when mounted in lower end cars with little sound and vibration proofing. Given that another vehicle has the same issue I'd wager it's just the way they are.

Only thing I can think of is the engine mounts asentioned above but unless it's nothing such as that there is nothing you can do that would make sense financially. Best bet is to stick to the 4 cylinders or hybrids which can set off using battery only.

I was surprised when I rented a 3 cylinder VW and it honestly sounded like something was wrong with it. This was coming from a rattly old 2L 4cyl diesel at the time.

tabby aspreme · 12-11-2023 11:37pm

The 1 litre VW engine no longer has a balance shaft fitted which has probably added to the vibration issues

Del2005 · 13-11-2023 7:47am

Is there anyway to get it to idle above 1k? It'll use slightly more fuel but it won't feel as rough.

Nigzcurran · 13-11-2023 7:53am

My 1 litre puma is a 3 cylinder engine I think. Noisey oul yoke when idling

pauly58 · 13-11-2023 7:57am

As Jeremy Clarkson said, a cylinder short of an engine.

PukkaStukka · 13-11-2023 10:26am

I have a 3 cyl Arona and it is more refined than the 4 cylinder it replaced!! Yes 3 pots do vibrate thanks to an unbalanced crankshaft. OP, can you drive and compare another Arona to see if it's a genuine problem you have or just a characteristic?