vsv hose? Vaccum leak on "the bucket" 3sfe

[ChevelleSSLS6]

So I managed to get my coil replaced... the 12mm bolt under the distributor was a pita to get at, but I survived.

It runs better now, a little more responsive and power is now adequate rather than nonexistant, and it's still bucking a little, and I did a search and found this thread...
3VZE 4x4 5 Speed misfire

Do our Camrys with the 3sfe have a vsv? My idle is still high like I have a vaccum leak, and it surges at idle sometimes, so I'm wondering if this is a part of the problem. Any help would be appreciated not only by Matt but "the bucket" as well.
-Matt
p.s. send the bucket some love it'll a good little dd once all is well.

[white90dx]

There are multiple VSVs that could be leaking. Check the coolant neck on the right side of the motor. There should be two if I remember correctly. Check for busted nipples on them. If one is bad, you can just bypass it with no problem (I ran my original motor that way for many thousands of miles - they only aid warm-up emissions).

-Charlie

[ChevelleSSLS6]

I checked them, they seem to be ok. Pulled the hoses and engine runs the same... no rpm increase... total wierdness. Covered ends of hose with my fingers... same. Perhaps I didn't do it for long enough? Still idles @ a little under 1500 under most conditions, occasioanlly I'll see it idle @ 1100rpm, and misses on cruising and off throttle situations, but give 'er a little go and it smooths right out.

I almost feel like epoxying the IAC closed off and drilling a small hole in the TB butterfly to 'set' idle speed @ 750-900rpm, and for cold idle if it stalls and runs funny, I'd have to apply a little gas to keep the rpms up a little.

...but since my CC doesn't work I could install a manual throttle to work as a cruise of sorts, and also a fast idle control. My AC doesn't work so I don't use it so the holes drilled in the tb butterfly would be ok for idling, since it won't see the additional load of the pump.

Just an idea I thought I'd throw out. My dad thinks it's ignition plugs or wires or dirty injectors. I didn't mention my redneck repair idea for the TB.

[white90dx]

Check the hoses on the back of the manifold for the power steering idle-up and the A/C idle-up on the left side of the manifold for problems. If you haven't already, clean out the idle air controller too... If it gets stuck open, that's about where it would idle.

What you describe sounds like unmetered air though... which means intake leak.

-Charlie

[ChevelleSSLS6]

I'll have to source up a propane torch, and I was also thinking, could it be low fuel pressure? I already put a can of seafoam through the fuel tank, the plugs (checked a couple tanks after seafoam) have white deposits... and engine won't go over 4500rpm; tried it the other day when I ran it around a little to see how the new coil worked for it.

Runs smoother and so far I guesstimate (odometer doesn't work) better fuel efficency, but still not where it should be. Perhaps it's a combination of factors, which for its age, is a legitamate possibility.

Now I'm wondering how I'd check the fuel pressure besides loosening the fuel filter bolt (which is under the hood so it's actually easy to get at) and looking for fuel spray. Isn't there a schrader valve on the fuel rail? I didn't see one :/ My previous cars (all domestic, sure save gas with these foregin jobs lol) had one so long as they were fuel injected.

[MARIO2007]

Wait , how do you find a vacuum leak with a propane torch ? This is the first I hear of it .

[fredk]

there is a screw under a rubber plug on top of the throttle body to set the base idle with

[Mike Gerber]

Originally Posted by MARIO2007

Wait , how do you find a vacuum leak with a propane torch ? This is the first I hear of it .

This is an old mechanic's trick. You open the propane valve on the torch without lighting it. Then you run the tip around suspected leaking areas. When it gets near a vacuum leak, the propane is sucked in to the engine and the engine temporarily smooths itself out. Just make sure your ignition system is in good shape first, for obvious reasons.

Mike