Cylinder misfire. Entire bank?

[studibel]

This was part of my original post but getting no responses on the cylinder misfire codes. Can someone offer some useful information? This Toyota Camry is my first ever Toyota...need some advice!

Thanks! It is indeed OBD2...behind the coin/ash try thing. The scan tool showed the following 4 codes stored: P0300-Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected; P0301-Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected; P0303-Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected and P0305-Cylinder 5 Misfire Detected.

I went ahead and cleared the codes to reset CEL. The car starts fine. Runs rough at idle ie: pulling up to a stop light etc. Can feel the roughness in the steering wheel, etc. But when running and accelerating, it sure doesn't feel like any kind of misfire! I'm leaning toward the throttle body cleaning that I've been reading about and maybe that will help things.

Any idea why one entire bank would show misfire? Is there something simple to check?

[studibel]

95 V6 XLE with about 169,000. Its in good condition. Just not sure what to investigate regarding the 300/301/303/305 codes. Sorry I didn't include in this post...assumed it would lead back to the original posting.

Oh...dark green...with tan cloth interior.
Thx

[truthnexile]

I'm getting the same codes on a 95 Avalon V6 with 156K. P0300, 0301, 0303, and 0305. I just got the car and am going to check it out today. Somebody FUBAR'd the 1 remaining bolt holding the intake cover in place, but I will get it off 1 way or another. Have you figured anything out on your car (since you posted?)

[studibel]

I haven't received any replies back and no, i haven't had the time and/or $$ to start digging into it. I think it might need new coils, but it sure seems odd to get the same "random misfire" codes on just the rear bank cyls. I know nothing about Toyotas but I'm mechanical enough to do most things. I've read alot about doing the tuneup but still haven't done it yet. There are lots of posts out on the internet about NOT having to disassemble the intake to do plugs/coils. I know it would be much easier without the intake in the way, but...not sure. I hope you are able to find something easy to fix. I want to think that it might be something ahead of the cylinders...something that might just affect one entire bank. Why would we get 3 cylinders misfiring if just one coil or one plug was bad? That's my thinking anyway. Would love to know what you find out!

Stu

[truthnexile]

Well, I've been out investigating all morning. I pulled all 6 plugs w/o difficulty, no you don't have to pull the intake. I've done tune-ups much more painful than this one. This 95 Avalon 3.0L has the sideways V6 eng: 1MZ-FE. However, it has individual coil packs over each cylinder, and each of them tested at (9 Kohms I believe?) for resistance. There were no obvious fouled plugs, they all looked clean. I went ahead and recleaned them (broke as well), used some antiseize on the threads, and applied dielectric tuneup grease to connectors and plug boots. I need to read up about troubleshooting injectors and sensors, but I have a feelin it's gonna be a fuel issue. It's very hot so I'm takin' a break, but I'll let you know what I discover. I won't throw $$ at it blindly, but I will figure it out. The car runs well, I'd never have suspected the misfiring.

[93celicaconv]

Here is a thought, a thought only!

You have a fair number of miles on this engine. All all the cylinders that have misfire codes are on the firewall side of the engine, right?

One could assume the previous owner perhaps did their own maintenance, and didn't think they could get to the rear spark plugs for removal, so maybe never changed those plugs. So maybe just your plugs are the problem.

There is a way to get those plugs out and new ones in without taking the entire intake manifold off, but you do need small extenders that you add to and take off from as you get your spark plug socket down the tube. But it is possible.

[truthnexile]

The 1, 3, 5 cylinders are opposite the firewall side, so it's the entire RH bank. The 1 prior owner did not do his own service, but he was an engineer who kept detailed service logs of regular maintenance. The problem is that I know from experience what kind of service Firestone does, and I will not pay someone less competent and indifferent to do my work. The throttle body is filthy, and I'm gonna run a solvent into the intake to try to rid some of the carbon deposits when I get it back together. Yeah, no problem with those back spark plugs- doesn't compare to the misery of changing plugs on an American made minivan or a Ford Triton motor. I really didn't have a problem on that part. Just trying to figure what would misfire that whole right side.

[73sport]

Originally Posted by truthnexile

I'm getting the same codes on a 95 Avalon V6 with 156K. P0300, 0301, 0303, and 0305. I just got the car and am going to check it out today. Somebody FUBAR'd the 1 remaining bolt holding the intake cover in place, but I will get it off 1 way or another. Have you figured anything out on your car (since you posted?)

In regards to this. A small cut off disc can slot the hex cap and then you use a screw driver.



As for the misfire coil packs on the well aged camry's, they tend to belly up. Use a sharpie to mark the packs and keep track of them. Use dots or actual numbers. This is looking from the grill to the engine.

1, 2, 3, = bank1 by rack and pinion

============

2, 4, 6 = bank2 by grill

Now move the coil packs and see if the error code follows. If it does, I'd be looking for coil packs! Trakc everything on paper as it WILL get confusing if it drags out too long.

Follow this, you'll see I was educated by the 1MZ!
2, 4, 6, All lean, Why? Need Help!

[truthnexile]

Thanks for the tip on that stripped nut, I got it finally. So basically if you are standing in front of the engine looking towards the firewall, the 3 cylinders up front are 2, 4, and 6? If that's the case, I was mistaken in thinking it was

2 4 6
1 3 5

Well that's good to know. Strangely, I don't have a decal on the firewall or elsewhere to tell me that. I have read that some of these cars had 3 coil packs, 2 cylinders per pack. Mine most definitely has 6, one over each cylinder, priced 'em yesterday when I was at Autozone (like $90- OUCH)

[73sport]

1, 2, 3, = bank1 by rack and pinion

============

2, 4, 6 = bank2 by grill


You are correct, you had it backwards and the above may shed some light on what to look for.

Look in that link I gave you, find the coil pack pictures and then compare yours to those in the pictures. I'm not saying if they have the white marks they are bad, but the ones that were bad on mine, had those marks like an "arc mark: and they others didn;t. Take it with a grain of salt give us a detailed description of how it really runs in all settings.

Cold, hot, start stop, idle, in gear, when it shifts. These are all clues!

[truthnexile]

Great info in that link, I appreciate it much. I have only driven the car a few days and have only noticed slightly harsh shifting when cold. The idle has been smooth and very quiet except when cold. Hadn't noticed any knocking or pinging under load yet. I'm gonna get back out and put it back together and see how it acts. I don't have a code reader, but will prob just go back up to Autozone and have it scanned again. I will post back later with my findings. Thanks again.

[93celicaconv]

Originally Posted by 73sport

1, 2, 3, = bank1 by rack and pinion

============

2, 4, 6 = bank2 by grill

Just want to make sure on this, 73sport. You mean:

1, 3, 5 = bank 1 (by rack & pinion)
=======================
2, 4, 6 = bank 2 (by grill)

Right?

[73sport]

Originally Posted by 93celicaconv

Just want to make sure on this, 73sport. You mean:

1, 3, 5 = bank 1 (by rack & pinion)
=======================
2, 4, 6 = bank 2 (by grill)

Right?

Nope! I mean. . .

1, 3, 5 = bank1 by rack & pinion
=======================
2, 4, 6 = bank2 by grill

[studibel]

Originally Posted by truthnexile

Great info in that link, I appreciate it much. I have only driven the car a few days and have only noticed slightly harsh shifting when cold. The idle has been smooth and very quiet except when cold. Hadn't noticed any knocking or pinging under load yet. I'm gonna get back out and put it back together and see how it acts. I don't have a code reader, but will prob just go back up to Autozone and have it scanned again. I will post back later with my findings. Thanks again.

I read all 9 pages of that link from 73...WOW! He did a great job of diagnostics and logical thinking. I wish I had that kind of "stick-to-it-iveness" But, it sure does make me think that I have issues with the ignition coils. I'm sure doing a complete tune up will have a good effect. I just bought it in April for my daughter's school car. It runs OK now and school isn't far away. But, it sure would be nice if it could last like i hear Toyota's will last! She told me the other day the a/c stopped working...the a/c light comes on and the blinks. So, guess that is kaput. But it runs and that's what is important. Doesn't make it comfy tho...100+ days. The lady I bought it from said the A/C was replaced less than 2 years ago...not sure who did it but maybe its just a leak and a recharge will make it work?

Please do let me know what you find out with yours. I'm kinda strapped for $$ right now but I probably will get some eBay coils at some point and try to go through the tune up too. I have run the BG44K through it...no improvement. But I really didn't expect anything since i don't believe a cleaner could fix a miss. Keep me in the loop with yours!

[SexieWASD]

Originally Posted by truthnexile

doesn't compare to the misery of changing plugs on an American made minivan or a Ford Triton motor

More truth has never been told using so few words.












EDIT: (you forgot the blazer where the steering column is directly in front of a recessed plug.)