3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
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Hi, I searched to see if there was a similar thread, found a couple but not sure if they are exactly the same problem. My 92 camry was accelerating sluggishly and was due for a timing belt change (it's 2nd timing belt). I had it done and mechanic said the old belt seemed to be stretched and had been out by 1 tooth. It definitely accelerated better after the timing belt change, however, the idle was rougher. Whereas before, the idle was smooth at stops, now it is rough. I lived with it for a while thinking it would settle down but it didn't, we asked around and someone told us that the distributor timing should be reset after timing belt change, could this be the problem? As I said, the acceleration and shifting changes seem to be fine, even better than before, but just the idle is out of whack now. We can clean the throttle body but I don't think it's really the problem as it all happened after timing belt change....any suggestions greatly appreciated
Assuming the mechanic did everything correctly I'd start by getting some seafoam and cleaning out the TB really well.
If he did not do it correctly then I would say the toothing is off or the timing has been too advanced or retarded.
If the TB cleaning doesnt work, go buy a timing light for cheap and check the timing. It should be at 10 degrees, not lower at all, and not higher than about 12 to be safe.
Other members would probably know much better than I on this, but start there.
Check the timing and look carefully for vacuum leaks. Also consider that a plug wire may have been inadvertently damaged. IOW, review the basics, item by item.
Sounds like the timing has been advanced as there's power but a rough-ish idle. Retarding will result in reduced to no power.
You can try cleaning the throttle body and IAC valve to cancel that out. If remains the same, bring out the timing light and check. You may have to jump terminal in the diagnosis connector to stop the ECU from changing the ignition timing.
Timming belt could be off a tooth. Or if your old belt was stretched and the timing had been adjusted, now with the new timing belt the timing adjustment at the distributer may be off. A timing light will tell you alot. The timing belt not only sets your ignition timing but also your valve timing. If the belt is misaligned by one notch you may be able to adjsut the ignition at the distributer so it fires in the correct position but your valve timing will be off and the engine will not run right. It would not be extremely difficult to check the alignment of the crank and camshaft to ensure the timing belt has indeed been installed correctly and that is the first place I would start.
This engine is pretty simple to time. You can set the crank on 0, align the timing mark on the cam with the mark on the head (with the distributer pointed to the #1 cylinder spark plug wire) and it will crank.
Just wanted to thank everyone who responded to my initial post, your comments were greatly appreciated. It took me a while to get around to it but finally I got my timing gun out and checked (my wife wanted me to take it back to the guy who changed the belt but I didn't trust him any more)...anyway, the distributor timing was set super high - it was swivelled as far in one direction as it could go...I've swivelled it back to about the middle and all seems good so far. Told my wife, setting the distributor timing is part of the job when you change the timing belt...mechanic should have done this..you can't trust anyone to do a decent job anymore
I've swivelled it back to about the middle and all seems good so far.
Hi,
Sorry for the noob's question: What do you mean by swivel and what wrench's size you used ?
In my case, I'd like to advance the timing (make the sparks occuring earlier).
The distributor has a hold-down bolt or swivel bolt that you loosen and then you can swivel the distributor to set the timing.
I should have been more clear in my previous post, last time the timing belt was changed (by the dealer) the distributor was swivelled to one extreme and the timing was 10 degrees. Now when we had our belt replaced again
(by another "cheaper" mechanic), the distributor timing was a mile off and
I had to swivel it back to 10 degrees. I don't remember off-hand what size wrench I used but you will be able to easily see the bolt to determine what
size wrench
Hi,
Sorry for the noob's question: What do you mean by swivel and what wrench's size you used ?
In my case, I'd like to advance the timing (make the sparks occuring earlier).
Thanks
I believe it's a 12mm or 14mm.
Make sure to run high octane gas for 18+ degrees! (93+)
Now when we had our belt replaced again
(by another "cheaper" mechanic), the distributor timing was a mile off and
I had to swivel it back to 10 degrees.
Yeah, some of these mechanics just don't know or don't care !
Thank you for your hint.
I will remember to note down my timing before letting someone do the work one day.
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