94 Camry Horrible Hesitation Gas Smell *Video*

[mickie]

Hello,
I have a 94 2.2L. Recently it began acting as if it were about to run out of gas so I would put more in knowing it had at least 4 gallons still left. This seemed to fix the problem, but more than likely something else. The other day I was going to accelerate from a stop and it wouldn't budge. It took about 10-15 seconds to get the tach to 3000 where it would seem to drive a lot smoother.

Idle is horrible and it putts along sounding as if it is missing on a couple cylinders. I checked the oil and it looks fine, but has a possible gas smell. This may be in my head, but waiting on a friend to come and verify. I am going tomorrow to check what I can and if I cannot find an answer, it may be dealership time ($$!). THere is also a burning smell that is not oil. It burns some oil, but this is more like a clutch or brake pad kind of smell.

Has anyone had anything similar to this or things I can check? I am planning on checking the plugs which I am sure are fouled out, timing, and compression. It has a new fuel pump for about 1000 miles and new distributor, plugs/wires, PCV for about 4000 miles. Any help is definitely appreciated. Also prior to this it always ran hesitant until 3000RPM, but was driveable. While like this I still got good gas milage. Thanks

[mickie]

Just spoke to a buddy who is a mechanic and he says it sounds like a clogged cat. Possibly because of the timing being too advanced or retarded it clogged it causing all these problems. Any thoughts?

[frenum49]

Your smelling fuel, I would check the fuel pressure regulator on the engines fuel rail. There is a vacuum line going to the top of it. Remove that line and check that there is no gas in it. If so, replace the reg. Also check that your injectors are sealing properly. One way to check this is to spray starting fluid or brake cleaner at the base of the injectors while the car is running. If the engine stumbles, replace the injector o-rings. Inspect the fuel lines from the tank all the way to the fuel rail checking for leaks. Also since you had your fuel pump replaced not too long ago I would double check that all hoses going to the tank are secure, including the filler neck tube. If the tank cannot build up vacuum the computer should throw an evap code but would not likely set a MIL. If you have a scanner or your mech buddy can get one, I would check it out.

[mickie]

Went and tried the hand test for air out of the exhaust. It was hot, but nothing unbearable. Air is coming out in a pulsation as you can hear from the first video below. Almost similar to a boat in water. It does have what seems to be a tremendous miss and I could smell fuel out of the exhaust. First video is of the tailpipe. Also took a couple of videos with my cell phone driving around the block and when it is accelerating, I am WOT. I did smell a faint smell of Sulfer/rotten egg, but nothing that was extreme. I drove for about 4 minutes, should I try longer?



http://www.youtube.com/v/oa6kNZvdHEc

http://www.youtube.com/v/VKYS_lPfVS0

http://www.youtube.com/v/652ObE7Memc

http://www.youtube.com/v/wtAy-TokR5Q

[ghettosled]

i my experience, a clogged cat is noticable at higher revs as more exhaust is trying to pass, but not at idle. it does sound like you car isnt firing correctly. i would check the spark for each plug to make sure that are all getting a decent spark at each cylinder.

[Black95Cam]

try running some seafoam.. mine used to have that smell every time i start it up for the first time (cold start) and it would smell. but i recently did a seafoam session and i have yet to smell the smell.. but again it could just be me.. lol

[mickie]

Originally Posted by ghettosled

i my experience, a clogged cat is noticable at higher revs as more exhaust is trying to pass, but not at idle. it does sound like you car isnt firing correctly. i would check the spark for each plug to make sure that are all getting a decent spark at each cylinder.

Hmmm. This seems the opposite. At 3000RPM it actually accelerates a lot better. I'm going to check tonight to see if I can see them glowing or not. Thanks for the input guys

[mickie]

Originally Posted by ghettosled

i my experience, a clogged cat is noticable at higher revs as more exhaust is trying to pass, but not at idle. it does sound like you car isnt firing correctly. i would check the spark for each plug to make sure that are all getting a decent spark at each cylinder.

Well that was the ticket. I had a new set of wires in the trunk so I put new plugs and wires in regardless that the PO told me they were new. The plug closest to the distributor was covered in oil. The one next to that was not firing because of the wire. Changed all and the car runs awesome. I need to change the valve cover gasket thinking that is the reason for the leaking oil into the spark plug. Thanks for everyone's help! Still throwing a code 25 and 26, so not sure what could be causing that if anyone has any insight.