vibration increases in the rain?

[94cylcamry]

Hey all. I've got a 1994 Camry LE Sedan with the 5SFE motor. The engine mounts have needed changing for awhile now, but we've been putting it off. So the idling is sort of getting worse and worse with vibrating...but the vibrating seems worse in the rain. It doesn't matter whether it's cold or hot when it's raining, but it's always noticeably worse when it's raining.

Any idea why this is? I'm just curious.

Thanks.

[dc_98_cam]

Just a guess ... humidity and moisture from rain getting into the distributor someplace.
Either distributor cap interior electrodes are not clean .... possibly spark plug wires.

[Black95Cam]

here my guess, maybe the rubber bushing on the motor mounts gets hard during winter and soften up during the summer heat..

[chuloloco]

Originally Posted by 94cylcamry

Hey all. I've got a 1994 Camry LE Sedan with the 5SFE motor. The engine mounts have needed changing for awhile now, but we've been putting it off. So the idling is sort of getting worse and worse with vibrating...but the vibrating seems worse in the rain. It doesn't matter whether it's cold or hot when it's raining, but it's always noticeably worse when it's raining.

Any idea why this is? I'm just curious.

Thanks.

I've been having a problem similiar to this aswell! My 92 Camry DLX V6 is fine when its dry or in light rain, but when its moderate to heavy rain or the next day after a rainstorm it ALWAYS vibrates frequently when I accelerate and has trouble accelerating smoothly. The vibration is not a small one, but not a very large one either. Also, white smoke always spews out. 94cylcamry is this similiar to your problems? My friend thinks it might be water either getting into the engine or water somehow getting through those vents where your wipers are (sorry I don't know what they're called). If anyone knows or has an idea of the problem, could you explain it in not so car savy terms. Thanks.

[94cylcamry]

Hmm...that sounds similar to my problems. Except mine doesn't blow the white smoke. Just has that vibration. And I don't know if it affects acceleration as much as it's just...there when I'm sitting in Drive and not moving. It's also creeping in lately when I sit in Neutral and Park as well.

And I was thinking the same thing about the bushings...but then it happens when it's hot as well as when it's cold.

[Kep]

Have you notice any difference between when the engine is cold and after it warms up? Initially, I was thinking ignition system faults (wires, coil, cap, etc). Then I got to wondering about how an EGR valve that was beginning to clog up might affect the engine...

Kep

[94cylcamry]

Well...I think it's the same either way. At least...I know that the engine was completely warmed up when I last noticed it. I'd assume it did it when the engine was cold as well.

[dc_98_cam]

Originally Posted by chuloloco

white smoke always spews out. 94cylcamry is this similiar to your problems? My friend thinks it might be water either getting into the engine or water somehow getting through those vents where your wipers are (sorry I don't know what they're called). Thanks.

Seem to recall that white smoke is an indication of coolant being burned in the engine. This would mean a problem like a headgasket or or something of that nature. ....There is a pressure gauge test ....manual pump attaches to radiator fill spout ....and watch needle for a few minutes... not too expensive and most shops have this tool.

[chuloloco]

Originally Posted by dc_98_cam

Seem to recall that white smoke is an indication of coolant being burned in the engine. This would mean a problem like a headgasket or or something of that nature. ....There is a pressure gauge test ....manual pump attaches to radiator fill spout ....and watch needle for a few minutes... not too expensive and most shops have this tool.

But the thing is the white smoke doesn't happen on dry days. Only on rainy days. Eventually the next day it will be gone, but I just get so pissed off when my car vibrates like that, cuz then I'm like a 85 yr old man driving all slow and sh*t! Not to mention my car doesn't accelerate properly. *sigh*

[Kep]

I am noticing that we have two different cars, 94cylcamry and chuloloco.

Chuloloco, I think that you will see water vapor more in humid conditions than dry conditons even if the same amount of vapor is coming out of the tail pipe. I also have heard that in humid conditions water will condense out inside the muffler more than in dry conditions.

There are two tests that you can do to determine if you have a blown headgasket. The pressure test that dc_98_cam mentioned (auto parts store in my area "loan" these test kits out with a deposit"=) and a Block Test (blue fluid that turns yellow if there is exhaust gas in the coolant). Either or both of these could indicate a problem that needs to be fixed.

A bad head gasket seal will often contribute to vibration such as you describe. Left unfixed it might cause more damage.

Kep

PS, drive slower and you may get the chance to drive like an 85 year old man!

[chuloloco]

Well this problem has been going on for about a year I'd say. My Camry used to vibrate/produce white smoke from the muffler when I first turned it on in the summer time occasionally, but now its more during rainstorms as I mentioned. If I did have a blown head gasket since then, wouldn't I have experienced "more damage" by now?

[Kep]

OK, a thought, if you are passing coolant through a blown head gasket your coolant would get low. Have you needed to refill the antifreeze since this started?

Kep

[chuloloco]

^Sorry I didn't respond earlier. I was in NJ for UFC 78!!!! Anyway, no I have not had to refill my antifreeze since then. I think I may just see a mechanic about it I guess. Its not a big problem, just an inconvience.