Camry erratic - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

cmryhldr · 09-15-2011, 02:42 PM

2001 Camry with 117,500 miles on it. Got in the car earlier today and after about 4 blocks car started running erratically. RPM fluctuated, actually fell off momentarily and then back up. Speed was around 20 MPH. It felt like someone was switching the car off and on real fast for a few times. Then it ran fine for a block or two and did it again. It did this same thing about 3 weeks ago then was fine until today. I don't have a clue what is causing this. All I can think of is that it happened a day after filling up with gas and the temp around here has been 90 to 95 during this time. This may be a coincidence. Need some suggestions.
cmryhldr
This was the first time car had been cranked on both days.

***fenixus*** · 09-15-2011, 06:22 PM

get a bottle of some fuel additive than can bind water in the tank and enrich the fuel you have in it. seems like terrible fuel mixed with water is the cause.

other than that it could be one of minor tune up items too, e.g. bad spark plugs, bad plugs wireset, clogged/damp air filter, restricted/dirty fuel filter, etc.

cmryhldr · 09-15-2011, 08:20 PM

The air filter and fuel filter were replaced 3 weeks ago when this first happened. The spark plugs are about a year old. NGK I think. Will try the additive and some new plug wires at the first opportunity. I'm wondering if it's bad fuel why so long between occurrences?
I'm going on a trip starting next Wed. (not on the Camry) and will be gone for 3 weeks. Thanks for the suggestions.
cmryhldr

***fenixus*** · 09-15-2011, 08:27 PM

then you have it, likely bad fuel or some crap on bottom of the tank which blocks the fuel pump inlet or you have it in lines already (Chevron Techron concentrate is also a good fuel system cleaner, use 20oz or 2x12oz).
I think it would be less intermittent if you had water mixed with fuel, but then water usually stays on bottom and fuel sits on top of it (it's lighter), so you never know.

change those spark plug wires too, it would complete the minor tune up. NGK TE58 is the nice blue set from Advance Auto (use A123 code online for $10 off $30). bad spark plug wires could also explain the more intermittent nature of the problem.

cmryhldr · 09-16-2011, 12:37 PM

O.K. I replaced the spark plug wires (NGK blue) and put a bottle of Techron in the gas tank. Lets see what happens the next few days. The car ran fine this morning on the way to the parts store and back. No more trouble after the one time yesterday.
Thinking ahead, if I have this problem again I'm thinking about removing the gas tank and cleaning it if I can. Any thoughts?
cmryhldr

***fenixus*** · 09-16-2011, 12:52 PM

keep us posted

keeping my fingers crossed for the results

normally you never drop the tank to just clean it. run concentrated fuel system cleaners every other fill up (or with every fill up for now), that should do it in a few weeks and the fuel system should be clean as whistle.

EDIT:
another side of story, when problem was happening, was the CEL blinking (misfire detected) on instrument panel? did it ever give you any code after that?

Woodyg · 09-16-2011, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenixus

keep us posted

keeping my fingers crossed for the results

normally you never drop the tank to just clean it. run concentrated fuel system cleaners every other fill up (or with every fill up for now), that should do it in a few weeks and the fuel system should be clean as whistle.

EDIT:
another side of story, when problem was happening, was the CEL blinking (misfire detected) on instrument panel? did it ever give you any code after that?

that is what I was going to say.^^^^^^^^^that is a lot of work for not even kniwing if that is the issue.......use the Techron.....that stuff is the BEST...........as stated get a code reader and se if you can catch a pending code...........the ultra gauges are great and pretty cheap as an alternative.........

*if you have a MAF I would clean that also

cmryhldr · 09-16-2011, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenixus

keep us posted

keeping my fingers crossed for the results

normally you never drop the tank to just clean it. run concentrated fuel system cleaners every other fill up (or with every fill up for now), that should do it in a few weeks and the fuel system should be clean as whistle.

EDIT:
another side of story, when problem was happening, was the CEL blinking (misfire detected) on instrument panel? did it ever give you any code after that?

I'll forget about dropping the tank if this happens again and use the cleaners as you suggested.

The CEL never came on at any time. With the new plug wires I have to look at the tach to see if it's still running when I stop. It's smoother now.

66slim · 09-16-2011, 02:31 PM

Stupid Question time. I am not familiar with the ultragauge at all but have seen it mentioned on here. Can you switch its use between vehicles or is it "married" to the initial vehicle it is used on? I would maybe get one if it is versatile enough to use for two or more cars. Other wise maybe just a cheap scanner off of amazon.

***fenixus*** · 09-16-2011, 02:38 PM

I know that most Southern states have Chevron gas stations, if you have one around you, just use their fuel, all their fuel grades include some diluted Chevron Techron cleaner, so it will save you some money on buying Techron cleaner in future

... but for now use the concentrated additive.
If I had Chevron gas stations around me I would be their customer for life

It's a good sign about idle smoothing out, possibly one or more of plug wires and/or some gunk in fuel system was causing the trouble.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmryhldr

I'll forget about dropping the tank if this happens again and use the cleaners as you suggested.

The CEL never came on at any time. With the new plug wires I have to look at the tach to see if it's still running when I stop. It's smoother now.

cmryhldr · 09-16-2011, 02:50 PM

There is a Chevron sta. about 2 miles from my house. Also I've seen a Techron logo on the pumps at a Texaco sta. Thanks for the info again
Bill

zb420 · 09-16-2011, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmryhldr

There is a Chevron sta. about 2 miles from my house. Also I've seen a Techron logo on the pumps at a Texaco sta. Thanks for the info again
Bill

I think they must own Texaco, I have a Chevron Credit Card which now is also a Texaco Card.

cmryhldr · 11-02-2011, 11:12 AM

Well, either the techron and new plug wires solved my problem or the cooler weather one. No problem since I changed the plug wires. I used Texaco with techron and added some techron the first two fill-ups.
It's still in my head that the hot weather in the summer here and just after a fill up when the problem occurred could be causing the problem. My driveway is on about an 8 or 10 degree incline which puts the gas tank a little lower than if car was level. (I never mentioned this before)
I guess I'll know for sure next summer.
Thanks for all the info previously.
Bill

***fenixus*** · 11-02-2011, 11:34 AM

report back in next (hopefully) hot Summer if problem returns.

Woodyg · 11-02-2011, 12:49 PM

I buy the up to 20 gallon bottles of techron when they are on sale 2 for 1. I use about 1/2 a bottle with 10 gallons of fuel a week or 2 before I plan on an oil change...........I swear by Techron......