97 Camry (4 cly) stumbles

[Mikeyvon]

my 1997 4 cylinder Camry has a stumble. The problem is new and my wife's car, so i do not have all the info. It does it intermittently, but almost always the first takeoff after starting. I have also had it do it while starting from a stop. It does not seem to have a problem with hard acceleration. She tells me it did it a few times while on the highway also. It does not stall, just a little stumble or real rough running and then on its way.

My thinking leads me to think it is a fuel delivery problem, most likely a fuel pump. I assume it could be a clogged fuel filter. I have wrenched on full size trucks my whole life and fix the little things (starters, alternators, ect.) on my other cars.

Do you agree that this is most likely fuel delivery?

I am hoping the fuel pump is electric and somewhere easy to get to (not in the gas tank).

Any ideas?

[new echo owner]

The pump is in the tank.

Is it a stumble or is it an engine miss? If it is the fuel pump, it wouldn't just stumble, the condition will continue on for a little while. I would suggest checking the obvious first, like spark plugs and plug wires. How many miles on the car?

N.E.O.

[Mikeyvon]

I would say it is a stumble. Start the car, put it in drive, step on the gas, and it stumbles (no increase in rpms, acting like it is about to stall, almost like dropping the clutch and lugging in a manual tranny). it does this for just a few moments and then it resumes as if normal.

The car has around 190000 miles on it.

[Mikeyvon]

so, i guess the problem is getting worse. it seems to be doing this almost every time from a stop. It last only a few seconds (3-10) then drivers normal.

I would like to be able to fix this problem this weekend. I will give the plug wires and plugs a look. Any other suggestions?

[new echo owner]

There are a few items that would cause a condition like you have described; TPS, MAP but you will basically have to monitor the data when they fail to determine if either one of them is the cause. I still said stick with the basic stuff first; plugs, plug wires. If you have a fuel pressure gauge handy, check the fuel pressure too, make sure it is where it should be, and the vacuum hose is good and vacuum supply is good.

How familiar are you with the Toyota EFI system?

N.E.O.

[eyeball96]

I could be wrong, but a filthy throttle body, could cause ur problem too. Seafoam it first and that just may fix it....hell it'n goin to hurt it.

Seafoam

^^^Here's a link on the subject, but do a search, there's more.

[Mikeyvon]

well, i have not had time to work on the car (we are building our own house), but since my truck just cracked a head it is a priority now getting the car running strong and reliable.

The problem has been getting worse. It now feels more like a miss and does it pretty much all the time under load. The check engine light has also came on.

Will Napa carry the Seafoam?

What is the easiest and cheapest way to get the codes read?

I know how to pull plugs and look for any fowling, do I use a continuity tester for the plug wires?

What else should I look for?

[new echo owner]

Seems like there are some auto parts stores that will pull the codes for you for free, why don't you check into that in your area. The code will probably lead you towards the cause of your problem, so retrieving any code would be the first thing to do. There is a good chance that it is an engine misfire code, and depending on the mileage of the vehicle, should probably consider spark plugs and wires.

N.E.O.

[Mikeyvon]

N.E.O. - you are correct. The codes read #2 misfire and various misfire. I changed plugs and wires and all is well. Thank you!

[new echo owner]

Glad to hear that!

Have fun with your ride and drive safe!

N.E.O.