97 camry w/ acceleration/revving problem

[mamaMia]

Hi. Ok so my 97 camry has been acting funny lately...started about a month ago I would notice a strong gas smell when I started my car...that only lasted a short while but started having problems with acceleration ( i.e. it seems to rev up when am at a stop. then kinda chugg -a-luggs when I try to take off... *( I know real technical right ) but I am not a real car savy girl but I have always taken care of my camry and taken it in for check ups and oil changes and have Never had a problem,- but this year I dont have the money and it just figures this is the first year I have had problems with it this car is my baby and I would really appreciate Any useful advice on what other owners or car savy guys/gals might think. ?? Help please


Thanks, Mia

[justin440]

This answer applies to the 4 Cylinder...

I would recommend cleaning the throttle body and the idle air control valve. (which is in the throttle body). My car had a somewhat similar issue. It would seem to hesitate and then surge when I hit the gas to go from a stop. It turned out that the flap inside the throttle body was sticking.

Get a can of throttle body cleaner. Loosen the clamp that holds the air intake tube to the throttle body. You should be able to pull the hose off of the throttle body, though it tends to put up a bit of a fight. Now you can spray the cleaner in there. In the throttle body itself there is a small opening towards the firewall side, which is where the idle control valve is. Spray a little in there as well.

Experts please chime in with any corrections or recommendations as I am winging this off the top of my head!

[fenixus]

is Check Engine Light on ?
when was the last time you replaced the fuel filter, spark plugs, air filter ?

any noise ? is the gas smell still around after start up ?

UPDATE:
as posted above. cleaning TB and IAC hole will help probably too if has not been done yet. sea foam deep creep is very good for that.

[mamaMia]

Hi! So now I am really worried...My check engine light came on today!!! so we are going to get the code checked by a friend and also will try changing the fuel filter (which hasnt been done in Years! >> I swear I didnt know you had to change them!<<< and also gonna clean the T B like suggested! Thank you so much for your help and advice!! I really appreciate it!!!! I will update when I know more! thanks again.


Mia <3

[fenixus]

np Mia. welcome to forums by the way!

here is good DIY on cleaning TB & IAC:
How to: Cleaning Throttle Body -4 Cylinder Engines- With Pictures

this one gets sticky and dirty quite often depending on your geo location. it is recommended to clean it up at least once a year to keep throttle plate and IAC valve operations fully functional.

fuel filter is a pain to do, leave it to mechanic if you don't feel up to it. use good WIX (e.g. from NAPA) or OEM/toyota/denso fuel filter, it will serve you longer. those are supposed to get changed every 30k miles. cheap filters usually are said to be replaced every 15k miles for best performance.

if spark plug wires have not been ever changed yet, then you may replace them too with e.g. NGK brand (check local Advanced Auto Parts), same as spark plugs (NGK or Denso are best) or from amazon cheap (for 4cylinder model):

plugs:

Amazon

Amazon

4x $10.32 each

wireset:

Amazon

Amazon

$29.95

replacing spark plugs, wireset and all filters are part of a recommended tune up every 30k miles