Vibration In Steering Wheel Only - 2006GT

[rvsailormm1]

Test drove a 2006, GT, convertible, automatic, 58,300miles today. Committed to buy as is Wednesday, 20Jun 2012, late PM CDT.

When stopped, in gear or park, the steering wheel and only the steering wheel had vibration. Was not felt through floor or seats, the car itself did not vibrate, just the steering wheel.

Mostly went away at low speed (20mph) and above but possible was still present but at a higher vibration frequency than when at idle.

Would mostly go away at idle in park, when engine mildly reved a few thousand rpm, but came back as revs increased and decreased when passing through specific rpms (but exact rpm not noted).

Owner said she was told by dealer/mechanic that vibration caused by turbo, they all do it. I'm not so sure about that but that's why I posted here.

Any thoughts about what may be the issue greatly appreciated.

Jim
MM1(SS)

[Busted_PT]

More than likley in the moter mounts. Ether need replaced or if been replaced top mount could be out of adjustment. If solid or performance mounts were installed, could cause this also.

[niel]

yeah... sounds like energy suspensions engine mount inserts... maybe the red ones vibrate more than the black ones... if it has the inserts you are lucky... just look at the inserts and search for screws that traspass all the mounts in the rubber section... if they are black look for it... if they are red forget it... you are way more lucky and you need to forgot about the mounts for life xD

[rvsailormm1]

Busted_PT and neil, thank you for your replies. I have additional info and some follow up questions:

Did a vin check (Autocheck) last night (Tue), was a fleet/rental car for 38k miles then current owner bought. No known issues listed but doubt it has new motor mounts.

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Besides motor mounts, are there any other possible causes?

If it is the motor mounts, how soon do they need to be fixed/replaced? (Money will be an issue for a while.)

Motor mounts seems to be an issue with the PT Cruiser. Is there a defect with the mounts?
(I have never owned a car that needed a motor mount replaced, including a 30 year old Olds 98 with 200,000+ miles on it.)

Is this something a shade-tree mechanic can do?

neil, could you give me some more details on your post or point to a place where I can learn more about what you wrote and PT motor mounts in general?

Pick up the car this afternoon.

Going to use it as my summer car and my RV toad - Colorado in August where the ragtop will always be down!

Thanks again guys, very much appreciated,

Jim

[Busted_PT]

Some vibrate when the ac is on. If motor is not thrashing around in the engine bay when you put it in gear, I wouldn't worry about it.

[rvsailormm1]

Got it, got temp tags, put top down, short, 10 mile drive, like it! Turbo is nice!

Turning A/C on doubles what I feel through the steering wheel, sounf level also goes up. At 40+ very smooth and smooth when accelerating in a almost petal-to-the-metal test.

Will check out how much engine thrashing there is.

Thanks a bunch guys,

Jim MM1(SS)

[Busted_PT]

Enjoy!