5sfe idles at 3000

[cashrock]

I changed the head gasket and timing belt on a 4 cyl. '96 camry. When I start it, it's very loud like I have an exhaust leak. But my real concern is it's idle speed--3000+ rpm. I've checked for hoses and wires, sprayed carburetor cleaner all over the hoses looking for a vacuum leak, tried adjusting the timing belt this way and that--nothing. The accelerator is not stuck in any way.

My nerd intuition tells me that the exhaust problem is independent of the idle speed issue, but can someone tell me for sure whether one might affect the other?

Otherwise, any ideas on what might make it idle that fast would be most welcome.

[stockmover]

I had a very similar problem with my V6 after I changed the spark plugs. I had to remove the plenum gasket to get to them and everyone said it was a vacuum leak. I never found the vac leak. Tons of codes started popping up through the CEL.

Eventually I resealed the plenum gasket and added a new gasket which I did not do before. I also adjusted the TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) along with the idle screw just below the (hook that you pull back to rev the engine....sorry I don't know the name of it). Play around with those 2 things and you may find that in your interest. Good Luck.

Took me WEEKS to get mine straight. My idle was around 2100 and at 1500 in drive. Now its at idle in park is around 850rpms.

Originally Posted by cashrock

I changed the head gasket and timing belt on a 4 cyl. '96 camry. When I start it, it's very loud like I have an exhaust leak. But my real concern is it's idle speed--3000+ rpm. I've checked for hoses and wires, sprayed carburetor cleaner all over the hoses looking for a vacuum leak, tried adjusting the timing belt this way and that--nothing. The accelerator is not stuck in any way.

My nerd intuition tells me that the exhaust problem is independent of the idle speed issue, but can someone tell me for sure whether one might affect the other?

Otherwise, any ideas on what might make it idle that fast would be most welcome.

[penizzle16]

I believe i know what your problem is. Check all of your vacuum hoses that attach to your intake manifold if you had to remove that. Also if you removed your exhaust manifold and intake manifold did you replace the gaskets. Check those things and get back to us. Also check your brake booster vacuum hose because if that comes out your idle speed will drastically increase possibly that high.

[ASG14]

Recheck ALL of your vacumme hoses, to insure they are correctly hooked up. I have a '96 5SFE as well, so feel free to ask me for pictures if needed. It;s not a problem.

[cashrock]

Thanks for responding so quickly.

I've been over those hoses several times. I marked them before I detached them. I did break that little thing on the back of the cylinder head (I think it's called a VSV). So I replaced it. Is there anything about it that I could have fudged?

Also, is the plenum gasket the one between the head and the intake manifold? If so, I did replace it (and the exhaust manifold gasket). But I also had some trouble getting the bolts tight on it. I couldn't get my torque wrench in there. Should I have sealed it with something? Or should I try to tighten it up some more?

Is there a list of hoses that I could use to check them all? I heard a rumor about one that goes from the break booster to somewhere near the head, but so far it seems to be mythical.