is the gen 4 97 camry 2.2L a waste spark system

[beige97camry]

title says it all. thanks.

[fenixus]

yes

[doodasdad]

Sorry folks, but I am new to Toyota. Tried the search function with little success...

What is a waste spark system? I have the same 2.2L motor. Thanks

[beige97camry]

type waste spark on google or wikedia and it will explain far better than I can but basically 1 coil for 2 cyl or 1&4 and 2&3 on 2.2 camry gen 4 each have a coil. as 1 fires 4 is down in the cyl but each gets spark thus 4 spark is waste (not used) I think that is the way it is, anyway google to get best explanation.

[JohnGD]

Waste spark system is a way to save money. Manufacturers can use 1/2 as many coils but the joke is on the owner. It's like using cheap rubber for the intake valve stem seals to save 50-80 cents each. But at least AFAIK, Toyota moved away from this joke the next gen.

[fenixus]

and instead they served customers with poor design of cylinder head & bolts in the engine, so every 2az-fe can suffer from head gasket problems ... way to go Toyota

I'd prefer my waste spark story over the HG issues

Originally Posted by JohnGD

Waste spark system is a way to save money. Manufacturers can use 1/2 as many coils but the joke is on the owner. It's like using cheap rubber for the intake valve stem seals to save 50-80 cents each. But at least AFAIK, Toyota moved away from this joke the next gen.

[71Corolla]

Originally Posted by fenixus

I'd prefer my waste spark story over the HG issues

This.

And calling the waste spark system a "joke" is pretty harsh, it works perfectly fine.

[pmesfun]

I though it was a good thing, 3 coils instead of 6. Much cheaper, and easier to do the rear plugs without coils.