2002 Camry v6 "Chug" Problem...help?

[DZCamry]

Our '02 Camry "chugs" down the street. Whether you are going 25 mph or 65 mph, it constantly feels like you are pushing in and out on the gas peddle. Help, what should we do? Has anyone else had this problem?

[TRD VVTi]

Originally Posted by DZCamry

Our '02 Camry "chugs" down the street. Whether you are going 25 mph or 65 mph, it constantly feels like you are pushing in and out on the gas peddle. Help, what should we do? Has anyone else had this problem?

Is the MIL (check engine light/malfunction indicator lamp) on?

[DZCamry]

No check engine light. We just had the 90K service done in December too.

[TRD VVTi]

Originally Posted by DZCamry

No check engine light. We just had the 90K service done in December too.

Welcome to TN.

It's nearly impossible to diagnose a vehicle over the internet. Hell, it can be difficult when you have possession of the car and the right tools.

You'll need to furnish LOTS of specific information:

At what speeds does this happen
On accel, decel, constant speeds, at stops, etc
Does it happen when the engine is hot, cold, both, etc
Does outside/ambient temp affect the problem
How long has it been happening, is it getting worse, better, etc
Does the A/C operation affect the condition

Anything else you could provide would be helpful also.

Are you mechanically inclined? Have you worked on cars before? What is your experience and extent of your knowledge? Could you check the E.G.R. and V.S.V. if needed?

Have you checked the online manual yet?

With the information that you've given, the first thing that I would do is check/clean the MAF and check/clean the EGR valve.

[marc780]

Did you get the tiiming belt changed recently? If so then the mechanic screwed up the install and needs to reinstall the belt.

Other things that might cause this:
-timing belt worn and stretched, has skipped a couple of teeth i.e. it has jumped time
-timing belt tensioner worn out and not applying pressure to idler, and timing belt is too loose and has jumped time because of that
-One or more injectors clogged or dead (i had this happen on another car and it also idled poorly too, but did not even throw a code)
-weak fuel pump (but usually a fuel pump just quits working and does not do a slow fade)
-one or more spark plugs not firing (but usually this would make the CEL blink on)
-one or more dead coil packs (the big plastic and rubber thing that fits over the spark plug)
-low engine compression and needs a valve job or more
-a transmission issue

[TRD VVTi]

Originally Posted by marc780

Did you get the tiiming belt changed recently? If so then the mechanic screwed up the install and needs to reinstall the belt.

Other things that might cause this:
-timing belt worn and stretched, has skipped a couple of teeth i.e. it has jumped time
-timing belt tensioner worn out and not applying pressure to idler, and timing belt is too loose and has jumped time because of that
-One or more injectors clogged or dead (i had this happen on another car and it also idled poorly too, but did not even throw a code)
-weak fuel pump (but usually a fuel pump just quits working and does not do a slow fade)
-one or more spark plugs not firing (but usually this would make the CEL blink on)
-one or more dead coil packs (the big plastic and rubber thing that fits over the spark plug)
-low engine compression and needs a valve job or more
-a transmission issue

Most (if not all) of those things would cause the MIL to come on and store a code (usually a miss fire code). The OP stated that the MIL is not on. Checking for a miss when there isn't a miss fire code really isn't the best way to perform a diagnosis. It's doubtful that the timing belt was installed incorrectly and then decided to act up 2 months later.

Anything is possible, but it doesn't make much sense to start looking for the less likely possibilites that you've listed until the more common problems are eliminated.

It would be nice if someone could check for TSB's. That is one of the first steps in diagnostics, right after verifying the concern and checking for codes (which there are none).