Van shaking at stop lights

2005 FORD FREESTAR
128,840 MILES • AUTOMATIC
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LORI ANN STOCKS
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Whenever I pull up to a stop sign or stop light it shakes and feels like it is going shut off. Also, when I first start up my van thick white smoke comes from the exhaust pipe.
Feb 7, 2017 at 3:17 PM
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CARADIODOC
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The shaking is typical of a misfire, most commonly due to worn spark plugs or lack of scheduled tune-ups. White smoke is a sign of burning engine coolant due to a leaking cylinder head gasket. The clue is the level will be dropping in the coolant reservoir. That leakage can also cause a misfire if it is bad enough.
Feb 7, 2017 at 3:50 PM
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LORI ANN STOCKS
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So I basically need new spark plugs and a tune up?
Feb 7, 2017 at 4:17 PM
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STEVE W.
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Not if it is burning coolant as the smoke suggests. Have the cooling system pressure tested. If it does not hold pressure it could be bad head gasket(s) or a crack in a head or block.
Feb 8, 2017 at 5:00 AM