3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
Just replaced my dist. cap, rotor, plug wires, and plugs (OEM) and the car still idles pretty rough. It does appear to have a little more pickup and power. I'm not the one who normally drives the camry, so I don't know if it is worse than normal. Would there be any reason why the idle might be rougher than before .... the spark plugs are exactly the same NGK platinum plugs that came with the car (and the ones I replaced). Are there other tune-ups I can do to possibly improve ... fuel treatment? throttle body cleaning? other?
I would first clean several things and then if it is still rough you will need to start testing parts. But first, clean stuff.
Do a search in this forum on SeaFoam. It is a great cleaner. You put some in the engine through the brake vacuum line and some in the gas. About 40 - 60 miles before you do your next oil change you add some to the oil. Also get some throttle body cleaner (not carb cleaner) and clean out the throttle body, the IAC valve, the EGR valve and the EGR valve modulator. Any or all of these could contribute to poor operation.
If that doesn't help then you will need to begin evaluating your sensors. There are about a half dozen or so.
It is kind of overwhelming at first but eventually you will get it done and, I suspect, you will have a fine running machine again. Even if you solve your initial problem quickly, keep up a cleaning routine so different problems don't develop later.
Thanks kep. I remember reading something about the SeaFoam. I'll do some more searching. What is the first component you would try to clean? Throttle body? Any specific tips (or threads) you recommend for instructions?
Should I have a look at one the new spark plugs? Will that tell me anything?
I'm going to pour some techron treatment in just before the next trip to the pump. The fuel filter has probably not been replaced in many many many miles (I would say well over 9 years/50K miles). Got the car used. Could this be part of the rough idle? If I installed new plugs and appear to be getting more horsepower, is it possible a clogged fuel filter could be making things a little rougher?
Last edited by LineInTheWater; 10-20-2007 at 03:49 PM.
A clogged fuel filter will cause a car to cut out/bog down while driving due to fuel starvation .
Check for vacuum leaks , pcv valve , EGR and other items that cause rough idle , I'm afraid I don't have a lot of faith in mechanic in a can although it can help sometimes .
You should check the compression first to make sure you don't have a weak cyl. If they all check 125-175 then they should fire with no problem. spray a little carb or brake cleaner spray around the intake while it's running and see if the motor smooths out for a few seconds, if it does then you could be sucking air from a intake leak. It could also be an injector but if the cyl. that's not firing has gas on the plug then it's not that either.
Most likely if it's a sensor, your check engine light will be on so you need to get a scan if it is and start from there.
Apparently the idle is the same as it was before the new plugs/wires/cap/rotor. So ignore that aspect. Would still like to do some simple troubleshooting. Thanks for all the suggestions so far. I think I will change the fuel filter first, then fuel cleaner, then spray choke cleaner into the TB while running, and then start cleaning TB and other elements. Sound like a plan?
I can't argue with any of the above. I tend to do things that are easiest for me first. The SeaFoam does tend to be a mechanic in a bottle but it does appear to help clean the innards that you can't normally reach. It is quick and easy. If it helps, great, if it doesn't you have still, presumably, cleaned some areas (even if they weren't the right areas).
If the SeaFoam doesn't help (and the brake line Sea Foam technique doesn't clean the throttle body, IAC or EGR any) then I would then manually clean the throttle body. That is just removing the air hose and doing some spraying and brushing. While you're in there spray some throttle body cleaner (again, make sure that your cleaner is safe for throttle bodies and O2 sensors) into the IAC port and let it steep for a while (15 mins or more).
If you are still having difficulties now I would begin disassembling things. Now would be a good time to inspect Nighthawk's points and Digmycelica's checks. I might hold off on the fuel filter until after thoroughly cleaning the IAC and the EGR since the filters are kind of expensive (plus, I always expect to have fuel filter problems first at high speeds when the amount of fuel passing through them is the greatest).
It is a process and it is very dependent upon your comfort level and the tools that you have available to you. On that point, remember that a lot of auto part stores have tools available for loan (essentially you put down a huge deposit and then they refund it if you return the tool in good shape).
I half clogged injecter will definatly cause this problem. You can either use a auto stethoscope ($3 at Harbor Tool) or use a big screwdriver with a plastic handle. Hold either right on top of injectors 1 ata time while running and listen for a *clicking* noise. The stronger the *click* the cleaner the injector. You may find 1 that is faint. That could be the culprit. To clean is easy. They make a direct fuel rail cleaner available at Autozone. It screws right into the fuel rail at the pressure valve. You pull the fuse for the fuel pump and run the car stright off the can untill empty. Can make a huge difference.
i have the same problems rough idle at dead stop only... people recommend Chevel Fuel Injection...so far, i see my car perform better...(less rough idle)...go Advance auto get Chevel Fuel injection put in the take with fuel up some gas....run and see if it help rough idle...Chevel fuel injection help for me..but i know my RPM go up and down at dead stop (not much), but that result IAC (need to clean out)....
try fuel injection first.... if that does help, change out Fuel filter...it's cheap...i got from dealer for 96 toyota camry le 4 cyliner only 30 bucks.....
if that doesn't work, clean out your Body Throttle and buy can of bottle throttle spread into small hold IAC (inside the body throttle) see if it helps for u...
check all vacum hose if any cracks...if not, i clean body throttle...search on this forum for instruction take out and clean Body Throttle and spread some bottle throttle can inside small hose (iAC) inside the body throttle..(make sure the car is running)..the car might lose power and almost stop..u increase a gas pedal...to burn out the liquid (body throttle can)..you can buy from autozon...or advance auto....i did that...the rough idle did help on my...
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