my freind is having problems with is 87 camry

[whatgoshere]

okay so he got a 87 camry from his dad and he is having a problem with it dieing when he lets it idle or when he puts it in drive, he said he took off the fuel filter and it had brown junk in it so I figured it would be rust in the gas tank and locking up the fuel pump, he also said that when it does run it has no power at all. im not familar with this car, im more in to the tercel, paseo, ect. what do yall think it could be?

[Mike Gerber]

When asking for help on a forum, it's best to provide information like how many miles are on the car and any known maintainance information. In 87 the only available Camry engine was the 4 cylinder 3SFE engine, so we know what's under the hood.

If I had to guess I would start troubleshooting these symptoms by cleaning the throttle body and the idle air control valve. The problem could be a dirty idle air control valve. Here's a thread that shows how to do it. It's for the 5SFE engine but should be identical on the 3SFE engine:

How to: Cleaning Throttle Body -4 Cylinder Engines- With Pictures

I would next get a manual and a digital volt/ohmeter and check the coil inside the distributor. If you don't have a manual available there are Toyota factory service manuals that are available for free downloading at the top of the Camry forum over at AutomotiiveForums.com. Download the generation 2 manual (1987-1991).

Next I would check fuel pressure as you suggested. You will need a fuel pressure gage and some fittings to do this. Again, check the manual for the procedure.

These are the most liklely things that can cause the symptoms you describe, assuming the engine itself is in good mechanical shape.

Mike

[whatgoshere]

alright I will tell him to try these ideas, oh and FTR I dont know how many miles are on it, like I said its not my car, and he lives 360 miles from me.