Low RPM idle; perceived lumpy/rumbly ride at low RPMs - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

tsqr · 09-25-2011, 06:33 AM

Hi! This is my first Toyota (first car, really), and first post!

I recently bought a '99 Camry LE 2.2L w/ manual transmission. Today, it began idling at around 600 rpm, whether I depress the clutch or just leave the gearshift in neutral. It also feels like the the engine is doing something weird when I'm driving below 2500 rpm, though that might be my mind playing tricks on me. It is my first car, and I just want it to run smoothly.

Based on my research, it seems like it's the idle air control valve that's gunked up or otherwise malfunctioning. I came across

this video

showing a trick for cleaning it without having to take a whole bunch of stuff apart.

What do you guys think? Also, assuming it is a faulty IAC valve, how harmful is it to continue driving it in this condition?

Thanks!

(I'm a mechanical idiot, having grown up on public transportation and generally just being bad with fixing/building stuff, but I'd like to learn. I wanna tackle this problem on my own, without having to take it to the shop, especially since I just bought the car.)

csaxon · 09-25-2011, 11:45 AM

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t158097.html gen4

csaxon · 09-25-2011, 11:49 AM

Camry FAQ ------> READ FIRST -----> Comprehensive List of Gen 3/4 INFO and DIY

tsqr · 09-25-2011, 01:15 PM

Thanks man, I'm bookmarking the second link and printing out the first!

I'm still wondering though, how harmful is it to keep driving my car without taking care of this? Thanks!

***BMR*** · 09-25-2011, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsqr

I'm still wondering though, how harmful is it to keep driving my car without taking care of this? Thanks!

Won't hurt a thing. It'll just be annoying until it's fixed. Idle RPM might start surging up & down if it gets worse, or it might start stalling.