What do you idle at? (5sfe)

[Retrospekt]

My car usually does about 800-850rpm in drive and 1000rpm in neutral. Is that normal?

[uibalnme]

Sounds about right to me.

[fenixus]

IMHO it seems a little high.

Since i purchased it @ 35k miles (replaced spark plugs) it idled in D ~700rpm, after recent spark plugs and plug wires replacement it came down to ~500rpms (runs much better now though, also replaced square MAXI fuses, had some electrical problems).

when was the last time you changed spark plugs and wires? bad wires can mess up engine RPMS while it's not being detected by computer (all still works somewhat).

[Retrospekt]

I have no idea when spark plugs where changed.

I bought this car from an owner that never even did the timing belt after 148,000 miles.

How much do spark plugs + wires cost?

[fenixus]

spark plugs (platinum with 2 electrodes) are $20 for "Bosch Platinum+2" set of 4 or around $34 for Denso (better choice if you can get it), based on Autozone pricing.

wireset (i took "Bosch Premium" in Autozone) was ~$60 i think, although they say NGK is a better fit (Japanese company, just like Denso) which is cheaper in Advance Auto parts in fact - they should have also Denso Platinum S plugs (fully platinum, 2 electrodes).

[Retrospekt]

Is replacing the wires and spark plugs something I could do at home?

[fenixus]

yup! you will just need a socket tool (i used a 3/8 ratchet drive with flexible extension bar and spark plug socket ending) to unscrew old spark plugs and get them out and install new ones.
they sit deep in the engine head. not sure how your engine is located in your camry '96, but my solara 2000 has stupid horizontal metal bar going across the engine compartment just above the spark plug holes (that's why i need a flexible xtension bar for socket tool).

replacing wires is very easy, it just takes some time the first time (replacing one by one), second time is a breeze
all of should take less than an hour even if you never did it before.

[Retrospekt]

I assume I can get the socket tool at autozone. 60 bucks for the wireset is a little more than I was expecting.

Are there different types of sizes of spark plugs? How do I know which ones go in my car?

Thanks everyone.

[JohnGD]

Are you sure you need new wires now??

Autozone has a free loaner tool program. You should also borrow a torque wrench to tighten the plugs with a 5/8" plug socket (a dab of plug antiseize 3 threads from tip end and use 13 lb/ft). Otherwise with overtighening the metal threaded casing stretches and cracks the insulator inside. Then people mistakenly blame the spark plugs.

I'd recommend NGK Iridium-IX (check rockauto.com for prices&shipping). If you think it's a bit pricey then consider NGK G-Power Platinum. The G-Power has a thinner center electrode, but not as thin as the Iridium-IX. These plugs are approved plugs in the NGK catalog, especially with the Ir-IX you shouldn't have problems in the silly waste-spark system said to require 2 ground electrodes.

http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/product...x.asp?mode=nml

BTW, I do think NGK plugs wear better than Denso. And NGK's my preference for these engines.

Originally Posted by Retrospekt

I assume I can get the socket tool at autozone. 60 bucks for the wireset is a little more than I was expecting.

Are there different types of sizes of spark plugs? How do I know which ones go in my car?

Thanks everyone.

[JohnGD]

Yes.

Take NGK spark plugs for example, BKR6E. The second letter K denotes 5/8" size.

Use the following chart to decode:
http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/docs/te...bols_plugs.pdf

Originally Posted by Retrospekt

Are there different types of sizes of spark plugs? How do I know which ones go in my car?

Thanks everyone.

[Lightning Blue]

720ish in park, 630 in drive with brake on, this is with the AC going full blast.

Does this seem normal? Plugs/wires have been changed, but didn't get it tuned (timing check?)

[fenixus]

you know what, i may actually have a little too low idling revs on Drive gear at stop though. i don't have a laptop with ODB2 cable/soft atm to check the revs precisely (did it once with a borrowed hardware right after purchase), but i can tell you this.

when i bought the car @ 35k, the computer read 720-730 on park gear (didn't measure D gear at full stop), then 3 years later here i am and replaced wires/plugs/fuel filter, car runs much better in driving and in Park, ...
but i have (i am not sure) a little low revs at full stop in D gear - looking at gauge behind the steering wheel it sits on one by last mark before 1k RPMS (visually in the middle, next mark has bigger gap and the following one after it is 1k RPMS).

I think it would be better if more people with properly tuned cars chimed in and dropped their 2 cents
it may actually be me needing tuning the revs rather than you guys hehe

[Retrospekt]

I changed my 149,000 mile old timing belt and my idle went down to 700 in drive. Car also runs quieter and it is a LOT better on gas.

[carsrus]

I just did the timing and wires/plugs on my camry. new air filter too.

Idle is at about 600, on the third smaller hash. Goes up a bit when the compressor kicks in.

[fenixus]

Originally Posted by carsrus

I just did the timing and wires/plugs on my camry. new air filter too.

Idle is at about 600, on the third smaller hash. Goes up a bit when the compressor kicks in.

i have quite same readings now. 2000 solara, timing belt replaced nearly 2 years ago along with water pump. wireset/plugs/fuel filter replaced less than a month ago.

however my idling rpms sometimes are a lil bit higher with no a/c compressor running, and sometimes other times are lower than 600 with a/c on (~550-600 i assume).

will be cleaning TB and replacing PCV valve next weekend, hoping for better idling revs as ~600 with all stuff turned on seems slightly shaky sometimes to me.