Post engine-swap/transmission rebuild problems

[tak444]

Hi everyone. I just got my car (99 camry 2.2 5SFE AT recently blown and then swapped with a 3SFE) out of the shop for a transmission rebuild. And I'm encountering quite a few problems with the car:

1. The check engine light turned on. the car was running good though. When I asked the mechanic to run diagnostics on the car, the code that popped up was P0446, something about the evap solenoid. I tinkered with the gas cap but the light is still on. Any other problems associated with that check engine warning?

2. The engine-assist braking was gone. The brakes work fine but you have to step on the pedal deeper and so the ABS engages. I have to brake early whenever I run at speeds of 40mph above just to avoid a potential accident. How can this be dealt with especially with my car that just had an engine swap?

3. Main concern: The transmission shifting seems awkward. At first gear, the engine spontaneously shifts up at 3100 rpm, and then when after engaging into second gear, I notice a drop on acceleration and the throttle stiffens up. No matter how hard I press on the throttle, the increase in the speedometer is only gradual. And I also notice that it the transmission doesnt shift to 4th gear early on. You have to be above 50mph before the car shifts to 4th gear. Any idea what's wrong? Is it coz of the rebuilt transmission? ECU? or the engine timing etc?

I really need help. ive spent almost 3k on this car and I dont want it all to go to waste. I plan to have this car running as close to as the time before my engine blew, and then maybe sell it or trade it in. Anyone's advice/suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

[BlueFusion6851]

Maybe the evap solenoid CEL is from the hose in your filler neck? And I have a question... why didn't you just swap in a 5SFE? the 3SFE was in the 87-91 camry.

[ASG14]

Search the forums. It;s said time and time again to NOT use the 3SFE in place of the 5SFE. It causes too many headaches.

[94cylcamry]

I'd imagine that would be a tiny engine for a '99?

[Eye8Pussies]

do a brake flush...sounds like you have a lot of air in your lines


as for the tranny problem...I'd take that one back to the shop...

[EEngineer]

i'm sorry to hear this, but u aint gonna like what we are saying here...

3S-FE isnt meant to replace 5S-FE...it's not as powerful...so obviously it's gotta work harder to move the 3rd gen Camry which is a LOT heavier than the 2nd gen Camry.

shouldave done a V6 swap

[tak444]

I expected that this would be what you guys would say. I'm obviously new to this forum, so that's why I'm not that aware about camry engine swap tips. Anyway, I'm really pissed off with the mechanic for installing that 3SFE engine in my car without me knowing. I found that out too late (when I visited his shop it was already installed), and we actually had a fight about it. If only I'd anticipated that the car would be like this, I should've just donated the car or something.

Yeah, the 99 camry is heavier as far as I know. But I think its the transmission that needs an adjustment. I plan to bring the car back to the shop who did the transmission work. And then take it back to that retard mechanic for him to do something about the solenoid problem and the engine-assist brakes.

One last thing (sorry if im asking this over and over again), if I plan to sell or trade-in this car, do I still have to report the engine swap and trans rebuild to the DMV or insurance?

[frenum49]

That code could be caused by a number of factors. The most common reason is caused by an after market cap or failing gas cap seal. The tank simply cannot build any vacuum. Check all connections at the tank and the canister. Also look for cracks or rust through on the filler neck. As for the rest of your problems.......the shop that performed the transplant should be responsible for correcting any issues caused of or related to their work. I would press them further about correcting these issues. If they rebuilt the trans and or engine or made the transplant, they need to back it up. At least thats how it works around here.

[ASG14]

If the mechanic did it wothout your permission, it's basically fraud. Anyway, he installed it, you paid, it;s not working right. He NEEDS to fix it, period.

[ONE_to_HATE]

.. i would straight up just return it. No sense of driving a headache everyday. Its probably easier said than done but das what you gotta do to get rid of this headache.

[Maim Menu]

Well, the P0446 popping up alone is usually the VSV located on the charcoal canister at the back of the car. It might be defective (unlikely since it not even near the engine, so can't really be damaged during a swap) or registering a bad signal because of the 3SFE swap, wich is more likely.

But before even thinking of fixing that, you should have a proper 5s-fe or 1MZ-fe dropped back in there, cause you're getting robbed my friend.

[tak444]

Found something interesting on the swapped engine. As I told you guys before, when I saw the engine it had "3SFE" written on the block in orange chalk. Upon inspecting it again yesterday, I saw something on the side like an engine code or whatever, wherein it has a bar code. The characters below the bar code in large font were "F5S - V8E." I looked at 3SFE engines being sold at ebay and saw that the codes on the engine started with "F3S etc."

Now Im confused if my swapped engine really is a 3SFE or a 5SFE. O_o

Oh and for some good news, the engine doesnt lag anymore when it shifts from 2nd to 3rd gear. It's getting some serious pull now. Hehe, nice. But the shifting from 3rd to 4th gear still cant be seen, unless I drive the car on low speeds (35 mph speed limit roads - I counted the 'jerking' of the tranny) wherein the 4th gear finally engages.

[Maim Menu]

Just take some pictures of your engine and post them here if you're not sure.

[tak444]

Some pix of the new engine and rebuilt tranny (here's the link


http://s290.photobucket.com/albums/l...rebuilt%20pix/

[zoni]

it could be a 3sfe my guess is from a 98-00 rav4... that would make it sort of work for your 99...

the way to find out for sure is to find the VIN plate on the motor.. not sure exactly where it is. 5th digit G is 5sfe that you need... 5th digit F is 3sfe from rav4

if you check that out and its a F, i'd say take it back and say why didnt you put a camry motor in my car?