Exhaust Problem??? You be the Judge - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

xxswat718xx · 07-30-2007, 10:11 PM

Hey guys. Just thought I'd come here before gettin raped at the local shop. Here's my scenario:

I've got a 97 camry LE with about 135k on it. As of recent, when I accelerate from a stop, the car "hesitates". It feels like a "sputter". Then if I continue to accelerate, there's a "pop". Nothing loud but loud enough for me to think "wtf?!". Then my CEL starts blinking and stays on. It's been on for alittle while now. It's the worst going uphill from a stop or merging on the expressway. I initially thought maybe it was a blown gasket, but what? I tried taking a look under there and everything seems fine. I also checked out the flexpipe I had replaced about 1/2 a yr ago. Seems good too.

It'll stay at like 40mph, hesitating, then when I push it, there's that pop again. What's up with this guys?

My mod's only consist of an Injen SRI and the TRD muffler. Nothing major. Everything was working fine up until alittle while ago. Any ideas as to what this could be would be great. Thanks.

bigbird · 07-30-2007, 11:15 PM

that doesnt sound liek an exhaust problem. sounds like a fuel problem to me.

how many miles?
were the injectors ever replaced?
was the fuel pump ever replaced?
have u run any cleaners through the fuel system?

ghettosled · 07-31-2007, 06:55 AM

check to see what engine code it coming up.

***Your Uncle Moe*** · 07-31-2007, 08:55 AM

We can help you out a lot better once you give us that CEL code. But that deff dosn't sound like an exhaust problem. Big Bird is right with a feul problem. Did you do anything in particular before these problems began? You said something about a muffler? How long after that install (Even though that shouldn't affect it).

xxswat718xx · 08-01-2007, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gridlyne

We can help you out a lot better once you give us that CEL code. But that deff dosn't sound like an exhaust problem. Big Bird is right with a feul problem. Did you do anything in particular before these problems began? You said something about a muffler? How long after that install (Even though that shouldn't affect it).

Well, I've had the TRD muffler on since January, the problems started about 3 weeks ago...? I haven't ran any cleaners through the fuel in a long time. I was thinking of doing so last week but never got around to it. If it'll help, and you guys suggest doing so, I'll do it tomorrow.

If that doesn't do anything, I'm heading down to AutoZone this weekend to get that code. I've got 135xxx miles on the Camry now. I've never replaced the fuel pump/filter. I bought the car with close to 100k on it. I've got the Haynes manual for my Camry, so if I've got to replace anything, it should be in there. If I had to get it done, how much would that run me? Any info you guys can provide's greatly appreciated, thanks.

***Your Uncle Moe*** · 08-02-2007, 08:39 AM

Replacing the fuel filter is part of a tune up. I would deff suggest getting one done especially if you dont know the history of the car.

xxswat718xx · 08-02-2007, 08:09 PM

I did a search and alot of posts/articles I read kind of lead back to a bad coil? I def. need to get that code checked to make sure. I put in the stuff for water in you system today. I'm changing the fuel filter as well, since I know for a fact it was never done, this weekend.

OEMonkey · 08-02-2007, 09:41 PM

Your car is misfiring. It most likely has a Misfire DTC to a specific cylinder or random misfire (P0300.)

If a misfire is bad enough to damage the cat. conv., the CEL will start flashing (as you mentioned in your original post.) Since no combustion takes place when it misfires, all the fuel gets dumped in the exhaust, damaging the cat. conv.

xxswat718xx · 08-02-2007, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OEMonkey

Your car is misfiring. It most likely has a Misfire DTC to a specific cylinder or random misfire (P0300.)

If a misfire is bad enough to damage the cat. conv., the CEL will start flashing (as you mentioned in your original post.) Since no combustion takes place when it misfires, all the fuel gets dumped in the exhaust, damaging the cat. conv.

How should I go about fixing this? Is this something I can repair myself? If so, what will I need and what do I do? I'm gonna take a look in my Haynes manual, see what I can find. Either way, anyone's welcomed to shoot any info my way. Thanks again, guys.

CrawlingEye · 08-02-2007, 11:50 PM

The misfire could be caused by a lot of things, though usually checking your ignition components is the first and foremost to figure out. Replace the spark plugs, wires, check the distributor cap and so on. I'd pretty much try and cover all the basic maint. stuff first.

A misfire is when there's too much fuel, too much compression, too cold of a sparkplug or basically just a situation where-by the spark plug can not ignite the air/fuel mixture for whatever reason.

Often times, what OEMonkey said was that the exhaust valves open and let the air/fuel mixture out and it'll ignite in the exhaust of your car. This would be the backfiring sound you may be hearing (pop). It can cause damage to your exhaust system and o2 sensors, so what you were told from the shop may be true (that you need a new cat converter and/or o2 sensor) but would likely not fix the direct problem.

Good luck.