I Asked SKANYX AI 'Why Does My Car Idle Rough?' - Here's What Happened

My car was idling rough. I didn't know why. Instead of calling a mechanic or researching online, I asked SKANYX AI Chat: "Why does my car idle rough?"

Here's the complete conversation and how it helped me fix the problem in 30 minutes for €15.

The Problem

My Car:

• 2015 Toyota Camry
• 120,000 miles
• Well maintained
• No warning lights

The Symptom:

• Rough idle (engine shaking)
• RPM fluctuating (600-900 RPM)
• Smooth at speed
• Only happens at idle

What I Knew:

• Something was wrong
• Didn't know what
• No check engine light
• Wanted to understand before calling mechanic

The Conversation

My First Question

Me: "Why does my car idle rough?" SKANYX AI: "Based on your vehicle scan, I can see your car is idling rough. Let me analyze the data to identify the cause. Initial findings:

• No active diagnostic codes
• Idle RPM: 600-900 (fluctuating, should be steady 700)
• Fuel trim values: Slightly elevated
• Throttle position: Normal

Most likely causes for rough idle without codes:

1. Dirty throttle body (most common at 120,000 miles)
2. Vacuum leak (small leak may not trigger code)
3. Idle air control valve (if your car has one)
4. Spark plugs (worn but not yet failing)

For your 2015 Toyota Camry with 120,000 miles, I'd start with the throttle body. It's the most common cause and easiest to check.

Would you like me to help you diagnose which one it is?"

My Follow-Up Question

Me: "How do I check if it's the throttle body?"

SKANYX AI: "Great question! Here's how to check your throttle body:

Step 1: Visual Inspection

• Open your hood
• Locate throttle body (between air filter and engine)
• Look for black carbon buildup on throttle plate
• If you see thick black deposits, that's likely the problem

Step 2: Check Throttle Body (Advanced)

• Remove air intake hose (if comfortable)
• Look inside throttle body
• Check for carbon buildup on throttle plate
• Normal: Clean or light deposits
• Problem: Thick black carbon buildup

For your Toyota Camry:

• Throttle body is easy to access
• Usually on top of engine
• Between air filter box and engine intake

If you see carbon buildup, cleaning the throttle body will likely fix your rough idle.

Want me to walk you through cleaning it?"

My Next Question

Me: "Yes, how do I clean it?" SKANYX AI: "Here's how to clean your throttle body: What you'll need:

• Throttle body cleaner (€5-10 at auto parts store)
• Clean cloth or paper towels
• 30-60 minutes
• Basic tools (screwdriver, pliers if needed)

Step-by-step:

1. Locate throttle body (between air filter and engine)
2. Remove air intake hose (usually just clamps, no tools needed)
3. Spray throttle body cleaner on throttle plate (the metal plate inside)
4. Let it soak for 2-3 minutes
5. Wipe clean with cloth (gently, don't force throttle plate)
6. Repeat if needed until clean
7. Reinstall air intake hose

Important warnings:

• DON'T move throttle plate manually - it can damage the motor
• DON'T use harsh chemicals - use throttle body cleaner only
• DON'T force anything - if it doesn't come apart easily, stop

After cleaning:

• Start engine
• Let it idle for 2-3 minutes
• Idle should smooth out
• RPM should stabilize

Cost: €5-10 for cleaner Time: 30-60 minutes Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Need more detailed instructions for any step?"

My Final Question

Me: "What if cleaning doesn't fix it?" SKANYX AI: "If cleaning the throttle body doesn't fix the rough idle, here are the next steps: Next things to check:

1. Vacuum Leak

- Look for cracked or disconnected hoses - Listen for hissing sounds - Check around intake manifold - Cost to fix: €50-150

1. Idle Air Control (IAC) Valve

- Your Camry may have an IAC valve - Can get dirty or fail - Cleaning or replacement - Cost: €50-150 to clean, €150-300 to replace

1. Spark Plugs

- At 120,000 miles, may be due for replacement - Worn plugs can cause rough idle - Check if they've been replaced - Cost: €50-150 for plugs Diagnostic approach:

1. Clean throttle body first (cheapest, most likely)
2. If still rough, check for vacuum leaks
3. If still rough, consider IAC valve or spark plugs
4. If still rough, get professional inspection

I can help you check each of these if cleaning doesn't work. Just ask!

Most likely: Cleaning throttle body will fix it. This is the #1 cause of rough idle on Toyotas with your mileage."

What I Did

Step 1: Followed AI Chat's Instructions

What I Did:

1. Bought throttle body cleaner (€8)
2. Located throttle body (easy to find)
3. Removed air intake hose (just clamps)
4. Saw thick black carbon buildup
5. Sprayed cleaner and wiped clean
6. Reinstalled hose

Time: 45 minutes Cost: €8

Step 2: Tested the Fix

What Happened:

• Started engine
• Let it idle for 3 minutes
• Idle smoothed out immediately
• RPM stabilized at 700
• Rough idle completely gone

Result: Problem fixed!

Step 3: Verified with SKANYX

Follow-Up Scan:

• Rescanned with SKANYX
• Idle RPM: Steady 700 (perfect)
• Fuel trim: Normal
• No issues detected
• Health score: Improved from 72 to 78

The Outcome

Problem Solved

Before:

• Rough idle
• RPM fluctuating
• Annoying shaking
• Concerned about problem

After:

• Smooth idle
• Steady RPM
• No shaking
• Problem fixed

Cost Comparison

If I Had Gone to Mechanic:

• Diagnostic fee: €80-150
• Throttle body cleaning: €100-200
• Total: €180-350

What I Actually Paid:

• Throttle body cleaner: €8
• Total: €8

Savings: €172-342

Time Comparison

If I Had Gone to Mechanic:

• Call for appointment: 10 minutes
• Drive to shop: 30 minutes
• Wait for service: 1-2 hours
• Drive home: 30 minutes
• Total: 2.5-3.5 hours

What I Actually Spent:

• AI Chat conversation: 5 minutes
• Cleaning throttle body: 45 minutes
• Total: 50 minutes

Time Saved: 1.5-2.5 hours

What I Learned

Lesson 1: AI Chat Makes Diagnostics Accessible

Key Insight:

• I could ask questions naturally
• Got clear, helpful answers
• No technical knowledge needed
• Felt confident to DIY

What I Do Now:

• Use AI Chat for all car questions
• Get explanations I understand
• Make informed decisions

Lesson 2: Plain English Is Powerful

Key Insight:

• AI Chat explained things clearly
• No confusing jargon
• Understood what to do
• Could follow instructions

What I Do Now:

• Always use AI Chat first
• Get plain English explanations
• Understand before acting

Lesson 3: AI Chat Saves Money

Key Insight:

• Saved €172-342
• Fixed problem myself
• Learned something new
• Gained confidence

What I Do Now:

• Try AI Chat before mechanic
• DIY when possible
• Save money on simple fixes

Why This Worked

AI Chat's Advantages

1. Natural Conversation:

• Asked questions naturally
• Got helpful answers
• Could ask follow-ups
• Felt like talking to expert

2. Vehicle-Specific:

• AI knew my car (2015 Camry)
• Considered mileage (120,000)
• Provided specific guidance
• Tailored recommendations

3. Step-by-Step Guidance:

• Clear instructions
• Warnings included
• Safety considerations
• What to do next

4. Cost Awareness:

• Provided cost estimates
• Helped me save money
• Showed DIY option
• Compared to mechanic

The Complete Conversation Flow

Question 1: "Why does my car idle rough?"

• Answer: Identified likely causes, recommended throttle body

Question 2: "How do I check if it's the throttle body?"

• Answer: Step-by-step inspection guide

Question 3: "Yes, how do I clean it?"

• Answer: Complete cleaning instructions with warnings

Question 4: "What if cleaning doesn't fix it?"

• Answer: Next steps and alternatives

Result: Problem fixed, money saved, confidence gained

FAQ: AI Chat Questions

Q: Is AI Chat as good as talking to a mechanic? A: For understanding problems and getting guidance, yes. For complex repairs, mechanics are still needed.

Q: Can AI Chat diagnose without codes? A: Yes! AI Chat analyzes all vehicle data, not just codes. It can identify problems before codes appear.

Q: How accurate is AI Chat? A: Very accurate. AI analyzes 40+ modules and compares to millions of vehicles. In my case, diagnosis was spot-on.

Q: Can I trust AI Chat for safety questions? A: Yes, but always use common sense. For critical safety issues, get professional inspection.

Q: Does AI Chat work for all cars? A: Yes, works with all OBD2-compatible vehicles (1996+).

The Bottom Line

What Happened:

• Asked SKANYX AI Chat: "Why does my car idle rough?"
• Got clear, helpful answers
• Fixed problem in 45 minutes for €8
• Saved €172-342 vs. mechanic

Key Takeaways:

• AI Chat makes diagnostics accessible
• Plain English explanations work
• DIY is possible with good guidance
• AI Chat saves time and money

Best Practice:

• Use AI Chat for car questions
• Get plain English explanations
• Try DIY when safe
• Save money on simple fixes

Try AI Chat for Your Car Questions

Don't struggle with car problems alone. SKANYX AI Chat answers your questions in plain English and helps you fix problems yourself.

Why SKANYX AI Chat:

• Ask questions naturally
• Get plain English answers
• Vehicle-specific guidance
• Step-by-step instructions
• Saves time and money

Ask SKANYX AI Chat your car questions | See SKANYX pricing | Learn about SKANYX features

Don't pay €200 for a simple fix.** Ask SKANYX AI Chat and fix it yourself for €8.