running rough 4 cyl

[68Malibu]

I looked at a 99 to buy the other day and the engine started right up and idled real smooth. Let it run about 3-4 min then went for a test drive. Car is a 5 spd and as soon as I began to let out the clutch the engine began to studder and the car hesitated until I got up to about 2,500 RPM. Did the same in all gears.

When I parked the car, I left it running and popped the hood. Engine was idleing low and running rough - visibly shaking.

The check engine light is on but I don't know why. Do you think this could be the EGR? I will try to scan for codes before I buy the car but don't want to buy a scanner so I may see if Auto Zone will loan one to me.

[heller]

I would also check out the MAP sensor, that could also cause the engine to idle rough, only problem with the MAP is they are quite expensive around $300

[marc780]

68Malibu if you are talking about a car you might buy, id just keep looking, unless its in particularly fine shape or a great price. The idle problem could be anything from a dirty IAC to low compression, who knows, not me not you...but this sounds like a big red flag to me anyway and why bother with it when there are so many used Camrys out there.

[68Malibu]

Originally Posted by marc780

68Malibu if you are talking about a car you might buy, id just keep looking, unless its in particularly fine shape or a great price. The idle problem could be anything from a dirty IAC to low compression, who knows, not me not you...but this sounds like a big red flag to me anyway and why bother with it when there are so many used Camrys out there.

Thanks. It was / is an intermintent problem so I knew it was not mechanical. I checked the codes and it came up with multi-cylinder misfire and cylinder #3 miss. Anyway, the wires are original and I pulled them out ot the head and #3 was arching through the black tube.

I went ahead and bought it. One owner CE, 5 spd (what I wanted), a/c, pw, pdl - decent shape and appears to be well maintained. Only 78K miles and I paid $4K.

I'll repost afte rthe tune.

[68Malibu]

I just changed the plugs and that did the trick. Runs great now. #3 wire was arching within the tube and the plug had some issues. Ordered NGK wires so will try those too.

[felonyr301]

$4000 for a 99 ce 5speed with 78k miles on it damn good price well compare to what i seen when i was seraching for my first car which i got a 95 le with the moonroof option in good shape.

[Mike Gerber]

The new wires sound like a good idea. With new plugs, the wires have an easy time firing the new and clean plugs. After they get a few thousand miles on them you might have the plug wire problem in #3 return.

Mike