88 4cyl camry PROBLEMS....

[Rock79]

Just got it, 240,000 mi 4cyl. Failed smog with high HC, was told its not burning fuel right,timing was 21 btdc should be 10. Took it to a mech. got the timing set, runs ok lacks power and has rough idle SOMETIMES did good on freeway.
Changed coil wich was destroyed, starts better but no power on acceleration.
I moved the dist a little and has power back still stumbles on idle and has a hint of hesitation while gassing it.Going to install cap wires rotor and plugs in a couple of days,but I have a feeling this will do nothing.Cleaned throttlebody and IAC twice (didnt take off) and nothing.

If timing belt was loose/jumped a tooth would the symptoms be sometimes or all the time?

would riding on a bad coil for a long time do damage to plug wires or other ignition components? (There is also oil in dist)

What would they be trying to hide with advanced timing?


One more thing please. I have the radio/clock reset prob.The girl that sold it to me said the mechanic told her it was a fuse. Its the one under the hood, but she also said the mech. told her if she put the fuse in it would "kill the whole thing" I asked her to elaborate and no go, thats all she gave me. Anybody????

Thanx.

[dem2757]

the oil in the dizzy kills these cars like its something severe. you probably have bad spark timing

[white90dx]

The car should run very poorly and ping a lot at 21*BTDC base timing. You should probably check the mechanical timing of the motor by removing the inspection plug on the upper timing cover and making sure the cam gear is aligned correctly with the motor at TDC.

You may also have a bad coil. If you have oil in the distributor, fix the leak and replace the ignition coil (inside the distributor).

-charlie

[Rock79]

I changed the coil already. It helped the starting alot. After I did that I had to move the dist. to make it run right as far as acceleration so Im probably off time again right?Beacause thats how it ran when I got it Before it failed timing at smog check.And before I did anything at all to the car. Unless a bad coil would mess with timing.??

Am I wrong in thinking a timing issue would be acting up all the time in the same way, or do they come and go and vary in severity ?

thanks white,dem...

Im going to do the cap rotor wires and plugs tonight Ill report back.I hope it helps, but I dont think it will.


any ideas on the radio thing????

[white90dx]

Originally Posted by Rock79

I changed the coil already. It helped the starting alot. After I did that I had to move the dist. to make it run right as far as acceleration so Im probably off time again right?Beacause thats how it ran when I got it Before it failed timing at smog check.And before I did anything at all to the car. Unless a bad coil would mess with timing.??

Am I wrong in thinking a timing issue would be acting up all the time in the same way, or do they come and go and vary in severity ?

thanks white,dem...

Im going to do the cap rotor wires and plugs tonight Ill report back.I hope it helps, but I dont think it will.


any ideas on the radio thing????

A new coil will not mess with timing at all. Make sure it is set correctly (jumper the T and E1 connections, use a timing light, run between 10* and 12*).

If the motor doesn't feel good then, check your mechanical timing - make sure the timing belt isn't off 1 tooth, etc.

Replacing other ignition components is also a good idea (like you are planning)

You will probably just have to put a fuse in and see what happens with the radio. You will probably have to open the dash behind the radio and look for hacked wiring, etc. if the fuse does blow. If it has an aftermarket radio, that would be suspect, as would the cigarette lighter.

-Charlie

[Rock79]

Changed plugs,cap,wires,rotor...no change. Guess ill try egr next. Pulled off the bottom vacuum hose on the egr and it was clogged with what seem to be rock from the surface of the moon. Very hard carbon. Would this make the engine run rough when warmed up? It did suck some deep creep through the port though it was clogged so bad.Does that mean it works?

Should every vacuum device pcv,egr etc., have suction and exhaust going on?
seems like some of mine do nothing. Mainly the ones in below the dist, the blue and black. And top of egr.

THANX!!!

[Rock79]

I unplugged my tps harness while the car was running and nothing happened at all.Is this normal? Thanx again.