Questions and Answers
Smoking And Vibrating
Q. Was wondering if changing spark plugs would help? Have an 1985 Buick that does need engine work (smokes) but was wondering what causes the steering wheel to vibrate when slowing down to stop at a light. Another car did that & it was the spark plugs.
Some of the tires are old just got one new one recently. Could it be the steering column? (It does that going from higher speeds, (50-65 then slowing down not on slow speeds in the city.)
Thanks,
ElaineA. If the engine is running rich, blowing black smoke and fouling the plugs, then replacing the spark plugs will clear the smoke up. However the smoke will return when the plugs foul again. This is a case of curing the symptom and not the disease. The cause of the rich condition must be found and corrected to permanently fix the problem.
If it is blue or white smoke, replacing the plugs will not help. Blue smoke is oil burning and white smoke is coolant.
As far as the vibration goes, it's possible that the bad tires are the cause of it. Worn out or mis-matched tires will cause a vibration such as you describe. Since you need new tires anyway, I would recommend replacing them all with the proper tire for your car. After you replace them, have the front end checked and a wheel alignment done. This will insure that there no problems and the tires will last much longer.
Additional Information provided courtesy of ALLDATA
