Need some help

[TOYOTA CARS]

My 1995 Camry LE i4 has some more problems according to the wife and family...

1st Problem: My wife constantly complains that there is this horrendous stench from the bottom of the car. It only happens after the car has been driven around and is all warmed up. Stop the car, have the engine running and this stench is smelt. It's like a rubber burning smell. It's so noticeable that you can smell it inside the cabin even if the windows or the doors are all closed.

I can confirm the smell since I've experienced it myself.

Anybody know what could possibly be a reason?

2nd problem: Tonight, my wife was driving and she reported something strange. She was at a red light and when it turned green, she started to accelerate as usual but the car rolled back while the engine revved and then one second later, the car slammed into gear and took off. She was not able to duplicate the problem nor was I able to.

Failing tranny?

[MrSkagenWatch]

Answer to 1st Problem -

This exactly sound like the problem I had - the problem originated when coolant was leaking from twp heating hoses and dripped onto my muffler - The pipes were OEM and had cracks (expanded) - replaced the pipes, no more smell - (These pipes weren't as major as the two up front hooking up to the radiator - small job

I cant remember the name of those pipes (can't locate the receipt)

but they are located behind the air filter, driver's side, next to the engine

- You can try and check if those pipes are leaking - Hope that helps

2nd problem - I've recently rebuilt my transmission (after 277,000 miles - OEM - WOW ) - after the transmission wouldn't shift to 2nd gear sometimes

[MrSkagenWatch]

oh BTW,

the smell started the same with me BEFORE coolant started leaking out

- 92 Camry LE I4 - 279,000 miles -

[Mike Gerber]

1. Check for a plastic bag that has become attached to the underside of the exhaust system. You would be surprised how common this problem is. Crawl underneath the car and have a look. If you find it scrape as much of it off as you can with a putty knife or some other scraping tool. The remains will eventually burn off.

2. Could be anything from low transmission fluid to major transmission problems. You didn't specify how many miles the car has on it and the maintenance it has received. Start by checking the transmission fluid and keep your fingers cross is it low. If it is, add fluid and take it for a test drive. If that doesn't cure the problem then I would next try changing the transmission fluid. If that still doesn't cure the problem you will probably have to take the car to a professional.

Merry Christmas.

Mike

[TOYOTA CARS]

Thanks you two.

1. I've crawled under the car and have not found a plastic bag under the car. I've done it a couple times hoping it was just a bag but no, I was not able to find it.

2. Here's what's worrying me. The dealer performed a transmission fluid change back in late August. And this is more troubling. The car has only (as of Christmas 2005) 75,320 miles on it. I remember getting the car back from the dealer and the car shifted rather hard. Like you could feel very well when the car shifted gears. But as the months went by, it smoothed out and I didn't have a concern about it anymore.

Merry Xmas all.

[Mike Gerber]

Originally Posted by TOYOTA CARS

Thanks you two.

1. I've crawled under the car and have not found a plastic bag under the car. I've done it a couple times hoping it was just a bag but no, I was not able to find it.

2. Here's what's worrying me. The dealer performed a transmission fluid change back in late August. And this is more troubling. The car has only (as of Christmas 2005) 75,320 miles on it. I remember getting the car back from the dealer and the car shifted rather hard. Like you could feel very well when the car shifted gears. But as the months went by, it smoothed out and I didn't have a concern about it anymore.

Merry Xmas all.

1. Maybe a bag has made it's way on to a top protion of the exhaust system where you can't see it from underneath when lying on your back. Take the car to a place that can put it on a hoist and look more carefully.

2. If the dealer did the change using one of those pressure flushing machines, it's possible some crud got loose from some place inside the transmission and started floating around. Hopefully, if that's the case, it will get picked up by the screen that acts as a filter in the bottom of the transmission and will stay there. I would also take the car back to the dealer that did the flush and fill and at least mention the problem to them, just to put them on notice. It may be a bit late for that (4 months later) but it might be worth a try. Mention that this hard shifting started as soon as they did the flush and fill. Other than that, I would keep driving the car and see if the problem goes away or becomes more frequent. If the problem becomes more frequent, the you will have to return again to that dealer or to a transmission specialist.

Good luck.

Mike

[Mike Gerber]

TOYOTA CARS,

I just noticed you are from New Jersey. Is it possible that your wife was on a patch of ice when she started out from the light and that the cars front drive wheels slipped on the ice and then caught some dry pavement? This can sometimes feel as if the car is moving backwards and then the transmission appears to slamming in to gear. I bring this up becuse you mentioned that neither her nor you were able to duplicate this problem. Just an additional thought.

Mike

[TOYOTA CARS]

Mike,

It's been rather warm over here lately. Upper 40s to low 50s. The road she used was a main road and all reminiscences of the last storm we had is almost completely gone.

My older son was with her at the time and he confirmed that the road was clean and dry.

I'll look more into the undercarriage of the car when I get time. Probably next weekend.

[lalo]

Some times when any type of car smells of rotten eggs after its warmed up and driven arround, its the Catalitic converter.

Just means its no good any more and possibly cloged, Its burning all the junk it has inside when the Cat reaches operating temperatures. so it smells bad.

Im no expert though.

Edit: (its a 10 years old Cat, build up is bound to happen)