Solara: questions/issues

[pmesfun]

Hello guys, I was at my aunt's today and while I was there I checked out her Solara I4(5s-fe), its a 99 or 00 can't remember.
Overall the engine bay looks good, the only leaks I could find is the valve cover gasket and distributor plugs. There is a squeak when you turn the steering wheel but I'm sure that is the steering u-joint that needs lubrication.

Now the CEL is on and the last time I got it checked(year ago) there was an EGR code, but I never got around to fixing it. If anyone has the FSM for this car I would greatly appreciate if I could have a copy. The mechanic said the CEL can't go off because there is some sensor that can't be replaced or something, but I think that is BS. So sometime this week I am going to take it down to Autozone and get the codes and start diagnosing.

The last issue I noticed is that when I first started the engine(completely cold) it wasn't high idling, it was at what looks like 750rpm. Is this normal for the 5s-fe? Temperature was 103.

Car has 140k, but the engine overheated so a used engine was installed a couple years ago, with about 40-50k on it now.

[fenixus]

absolutely scan the codes again, there could be something new since a year ago.

no, the 750 idle on cold start is nowhere near normal, it could shoot past 1,600rpm and then lower it to like 900 and then again to normal idle over some time. probnably the IAC valve is dirty and ECU can't control it as much as it liked to.

there is no sensors that can't be replaced that mechanic was a dumb ass.

P/S squeal when turning wheels at edges could be as simple as a loose or old/stretched P/S belt.

except for IAC thing and ECM/ECU pins, the rest of stuff on 99 or 00 solara is pretty much same as gen4 camry FSM.

note that 99 solara (production date before 08/2000) and 00 solara (production date after 08/2000) IAC will be different including potentially different fuel injectors and AIR assist tube between IAC and engine head.

[pmesfun]

Originally Posted by fenixus

absolutely scan the codes again, there could be something new since a year ago.

no, the 750 idle on cold start is nowhere near normal, it could shoot past 1,600rpm and then lower it to like 900 and then again to normal idle over some time. probnably the IAC valve is dirty and ECU can't control it as much as it liked to.

there is no sensors that can't be replaced that mechanic was a dumb ass.

P/S squeal when turning wheels at edges could be as simple as a loose or old/stretched P/S belt.

except for IAC thing and ECM/ECU pins, the rest of stuff on 99 or 00 solara is pretty much same as gen4 camry FSM.

note that 99 solara (production date before 08/2000) and 00 solara (production date after 08/2000) IAC will be different including potentially different fuel injectors and AIR assist tube between IAC and engine head.

They're probably is. I will add cleaning the tb and iacv to the list of things to do. I wouldn't call him a dumbass, he's a good friend of my parents. The squeak was coming from the steering rack, the engine was off, and wheel was in the straight position, when I would turn it side to side it would squeak, so I believe the u-joint needs lubrication. I will be getting a Felpro valve cover gasket with the tube seals from Rock Auto, and the tb and iacv from the dealer(too many variations of the gasket on Rock Auto, so I need to get the vin and get the correct parts from the dealer).

Do you happen to have a link to the 5s-fe camry fsm? I only have the V6 fsm.

[hill8570]

Originally Posted by pmesfun

The last issue I noticed is that when I first started the engine(completely cold) it wasn't high idling, it was at what looks like 750rpm. Is this normal for the 5s-fe? Temperature was 103

Seems a bit low (warmed up spec is 700, IIRC), but might be OK. 103 F is only 77 F below operating temperature. Should see a quick bounce to high revs when you start it before it settles down, 'though.

[pmesfun]

Originally Posted by hill8570

Seems a bit low (warmed up spec is 700, IIRC), but might be OK. 103 F is only 77 F below operating temperature. Should see a quick bounce to high revs when you start it before it settles down, 'though.

Yeah, I didn't wait for the engine to warm up(ran it for like 10 seconds), so maybe when it does the idle is really low, probably even worse with A/C on, so I'm definitely cleaning it now.

[fenixus]

PM sent per request.

hmm, sorry I didn't want to offend anybody you know or like hehe

My guess is that the mechanic meant there is no EGR temperature sensor in this model, so he can't replace it as he thinks this is what causing the error (shot in the dark EGR flow insufficient, right?)... well, just my guess.

anyways, EGR temp sensor was on gen3 (installed in the valve body), and gen4 uses other means to detect the EGR flow (e.g. MAP sensor and other inputs), so most likely the (un)holy EGR trio needs checking/cleaning: the EGR valve, the modulator and the vacuum switch valve. they like to go bad after like 8 yrs, especially the 4 cylinder models like going down on this one from what I read... and usually they are not far behind from each other on failing ... so I would ask your aunt if she wants it done once and right or she wants it done as cheap as possible (labor not included and you will spend tons of time on troubleshooting those) ... I would just go ahead and buy her new valve with 2 gaskets and bolts/nuts, new modulator and new VSV - that is granted all the hosing is good and not cracked on ends or punctured somewhere... or clogged/restricted ... that EGR system stinks.

Good choice on gasket sourcing for VC/TB/IAC, nowadays I would probably do the same. there is just too many versions of Toyota IACs so good idea on getting one from dealer. the rest is safe to get by Fel-Pro from rockauto.com

Originally Posted by pmesfun

They're probably is. I will add cleaning the tb and iacv to the list of things to do. I wouldn't call him a dumbass, he's a good friend of my parents. The squeak was coming from the steering rack, the engine was off, and wheel was in the straight position, when I would turn it side to side it would squeak, so I believe the u-joint needs lubrication. I will be getting a Felpro valve cover gasket with the tube seals from Rock Auto, and the tb and iacv from the dealer(too many variations of the gasket on Rock Auto, so I need to get the vin and get the correct parts from the dealer).

Do you happen to have a link to the 5s-fe camry fsm? I only have the V6 fsm.

[pmesfun]

Originally Posted by fenixus

PM sent per request.

hmm, sorry I didn't want to offend anybody you know or like hehe

My guess is that the mechanic meant there is no EGR temperature sensor in this model, so he can't replace it as he thinks this is what causing the error (shot in the dark EGR flow insufficient, right?)... well, just my guess.

anyways, EGR temp sensor was on gen3 (installed in the valve body), and gen4 uses other means to detect the EGR flow (e.g. MAP sensor and other inputs), so most likely the (un)holy EGR trio needs checking/cleaning: the EGR valve, the modulator and the vacuum switch valve. they like to go bad after like 8 yrs, especially the 4 cylinder models like going down on this one from what I read... and usually they are not far behind from each other on failing ... so I would ask your aunt if she wants it done once and right or she wants it done as cheap as possible (labor not included and you will spend tons of time on troubleshooting those) ... I would just go ahead and buy her new valve with 2 gaskets and bolts/nuts, new modulator and new VSV - that is granted all the hosing is good and not cracked on ends or punctured somewhere... or clogged/restricted ... that EGR system stinks.

Good choice on gasket sourcing for VC/TB/IAC, nowadays I would probably do the same. there is just too many versions of Toyota IACs so good idea on getting one from dealer. the rest is safe to get by Fel-Pro from rockauto.com

Thanks again. Don't worry about it bro, its cool. I'm not too sure what he said about the EGR code but its been there ever since the engine was swapped. Hopefully I can clean all of the EGR components successfully because she doesn't have much money to spend. I will check/clean everything I can before having to spend money on parts. BTW I remember you writing that all Solara's are Cali spec?

[fenixus]

yes, I believe all North American market Solaras are built to meet California emissions specs. in all years I'm around here, I have NEVER seen an American market Solara built to federal emission specs.

Perhaps those in Japan are like federal specs Camry here? I don't know.

Check the EGR vacuum routing, perhaps something is connected wrong, there should be a sticker under hood and if not it's somewhere in the FSM too. good luck on testing and cleaning everything ... have fun accessing the VSV

Originally Posted by pmesfun

Thanks again. Don't worry about it bro, its cool. I'm not too sure what he said about the EGR code but its been there ever since the engine was swapped. Hopefully I can clean all of the EGR components successfully because she doesn't have much money to spend. I will check/clean everything I can before having to spend money on parts. BTW I remember you writing that all Solara's are Cali spec?

[pmesfun]

Originally Posted by fenixus

yes, I believe all North American market Solaras are built to meet California emissions specs. in all years I'm around here, I have NEVER seen an American market Solara built to federal emission specs.

Perhaps those in Japan are like federal specs Camry here? I don't know.

Check the EGR vacuum routing, perhaps something is connected wrong, there should be a sticker under hood and if not it's somewhere in the FSM too. good luck on testing and cleaning everything ... have fun accessing the VSV

Good to know. Is the EGR VSV the one under the intake manifold? fml. What happened to 4 cylinder being easy to work on?! lol. Another BIG thing that is wrong with the car IIRC, its been a while, but 4th gear doesn't work, the transmission never shifts into the last gear. Idk even know where to start on that one.

[fenixus]

yeah, that is the one ... I know, it's a major PITA to get to it, just remove the passenger side wheel and apron and you should be able to either see it or touch it through there (but not both at same time LOL!)... Toyota engineers must have been having a wild day designing location of that thing LOL

as per the trans issues ... I would start with ATF flush first and then if it persists, worry about things like solenoids, ECU and stuff that I have no idea about...

Originally Posted by pmesfun

Good to know. Is the EGR VSV the one under the intake manifold? fml. What happened to 4 cylinder being easy to work on?! lol. Another BIG thing that is wrong with the car IIRC, its been a while, but 4th gear doesn't work, the transmission never shifts into the last gear. Idk even know where to start on that one.