dies at idle, surging on decelration

[upshift_overdrive]

Hi all! I have had the biggest headache with my 1989 Camry All-Trac 2.0L with an auto trans. When I come to a stop at a light the idle will gradually get rougher untill about 500RPMs and after that it will stall. The car starts fine if it stalls but I have to powerbrake the car to keep it idling. Idles fine in P or N and reverse is good. Also it is starting to buck when I decelarate below 30 MPH. The coolant temp sensor was replaced, MAF checked fine, Throttle Body and injectors was cleaned, new fuel filter, cap rotor and plugs replaced. This has been a major headache and I am starting to think transmission. Any help will be MUCH apprecated!

[GregElliott]

sounds like a timing issue

[upshift_overdrive]

I checked timing and idle speed also (by shorting the diagnostic port as required), they both are fine.

[GregElliott]

check your vaccum hoses and your EGR valve

[fourdrinie]

I know you wrote that you cleaned the throttle body, but try to get a bit deeper and clean the IAC valve...do a search for the cleaning of this valve..

[upshift_overdrive]

I checked the vaccum hoses and sprayed some brake clean over all of them to see if it would suck any in and surge for a second. Could it be the EGR itself? I know they get some decent carbon build up on them sometimes. I'll see if I can get to the IAC and clean it out but wouldn't the IAC cause problems in all gears and not just D? Just wondering.

[Mike Gerber]

Originally Posted by upshift_overdrive

I checked the vaccum hoses and sprayed some brake clean over all of them to see if it would suck any in and surge for a second. Could it be the EGR itself? I know they get some decent carbon build up on them sometimes. I'll see if I can get to the IAC and clean it out but wouldn't the IAC cause problems in all gears and not just D? Just wondering.

I agree that it could likely be a dirty idle air control valve. Problems with them being dirty usually surface at idle. You can try cleaning it by removing the big tube again that leads to the throttle body. You will see a square or diamond shaped port at the base of the throttle body. That port leads to the idle air control valve. Spary some O2 safe carb cleaner or throttle body cleaner liberally down in to that port and allow it to soak for about 10 minutes. Then start the engine and take the car for a ride for a few minutes to clear the cleaner out of the system. Then see if the problem is resolved. If it is great. If it's not, you will have to remove the idle air control valve for a more thorough cleaning.

Also, stop using brake cleaner to check for vacuum leaks. Brake cleaner is non-flamable, so it won't work in this application. It can't be burned by the engine and may even bog down the engine. In addition, spraying things internally to be burned by the engine, that are not O2 safe, can ruin your O2 sensor(s). Use O2 safe carb cleaner or throttle body cleaner as mentioned above. These things are designed to be burned and are safe for the O2 sensor(s).

Mike