Why does my car shake when it idles?

Question

I drive a 2000 Ford Contour. I got my timing belt replaced last week. The guy ended up having to replace all of the pulleys as well. Now, my "Check Engine" light is on, and it shakes terribly when it idles. Also, my brakes have to "warm up". The first couple of times I press them, they don't respond very well, then they are fine.

Answer 1

My old one used to do that, and I was told that the reason being was that the motor mount was loose. But since you had it repaired for something, and it turned out to be that way, I would take it to someone else and see if the other people messed something up.

Answer 2

Sounds like you may have a vacuum line that is loose or broken. Take it back to the mechanic who did the work, and have him check it out.  

Answer 3

sounds like ur brakes lines might have air in them and also try having him or whoever change the plugs and plug wires.

Answer 4

You have a misfire which is when fuel is burned prematurely. My guess is the guy who did your timing belt did a sloppy job and the car's timing has been screwed up.

Edit: I didn't really think about vacuum but if your brakes are having problems that could be a vacuum leak (since the brakes are mostly powered by the brake booster which runs on engine vacuum and if you have a vacuum leak unmetered air would end up in the engine which would make your car run lean which would result in a misfire. Why it doesn't do it at higher RPMs is the fact that there is less resistance to the throttle body and more metered air getting past the mass air flow sensor which is keeping your engine running at a decent air fuel ratio.

Answer 5

Sounds like either vaccum leak issues, or they didn't line up the pullies correctly, resulting in poor vaccum (brake issues) and the rough idling and your check engine light.

Answer 6

take the car back to the garage maybe he didn't plug something back in and it is possible wrong pulley, and could be out of time

Answer 7

sounds like he did,nt get the belt on right.

Answer 8

the shake can be a misfire, a incorrectly installed timing belt, bad motor mounts etc. the person who did the timing belt job should be able to scan for the check engine light or perhaps you should go to someone else to see it may be something he did  

Answer 9

The timing belt was probably installed wrong. Get the check engine code scanned and see what it says. Sounds like a misfire. If you had brake pads replaced semi metallic pads were probably used. These should never be used on cars. They are to be used on vehicles that usually carry loads. Your brakes will not work correctly as the pads must reach a high temp. before they work properly.