horrible acceleration - already replaced coil, fuel filter - what next?

[cvandiv]

hello, i have a 88 camry (4 cyl, auto) with 154k miles. previously i was having problems that were consistent (sputtering when accellerating, going uphill, especially problematic when wet) with a cracked coil, and i replaced it, but not before replacing my fuel filter first, so they're both new.

well, since i replaced my coil about 3 weeks ago, its performance while accellerating has gotten progrssively worse. it feels as if it is missing horribly and jerks and pulls constantly until it (eventually) gets up to speed. when it gets to speed, it runs just fine. sometimes it feels as if its pulling hard on my left axle, which i have already had to replace once (About 6 months ago) also, when the rumbling/sputtering/etc. is particularly bad upon starting from a complete stop, my speedometer will sometimes stay at 0 for a while then instantly jump up to 25 mph.

any help would be greatly appreciated!

[SilverSportNOLA]

Do you believe it to be a tranny problem or an engine problem? Hard to tell from the description. As for it getting worse after replace parts ... if those parts were not part of the problem, then time will make the problem worse by nature.

I don't know enough about the Autos in these cars. But, if I thought it was engine related, I would check the vacuum hoses and the distributor cap and rotor.

[Mike Gerber]

I have to agree that the problem may lie in the cap, wires and distributor rotor. Missing on acceleration usually indicates an ignition system problem, especially since you say "it is especially problematic when wet". If the other ignition system components have considerable mileage on them, I would change the cap and wires (they are a 1-piece item on this engine), and also the rotor since it is so cheap.

Mike

[marc780]

Here are some more things i would check that are a possible cause of your performance problem:
1. Low engine compression readings(i'd perform a compression check before going any further). If compression readings are low, you probably need a valve job or rings - hope not though
2. one or more fuel injectors worn out or clogged
3. Dirty throttle body and butterfly
4. weak fuel pump (although usually they just quit first)
5.

[noodlesoup]

Mine had a similar problem recently and it was actually the AIR INTAKE HOSE. I had it replaced for $125 and now it has lots more power that it ever did.

[91CamryMan]

For awhile my v6 camry had horrible acceleration. I checked over the accel cabels to find all were very loose. When I tightened them I probably regained 30 horses that were long lost.

[fredk]

plug wires