nedd help w/ camry losing power

[racemom44]

i have an 88 camry - and it is getting terrible gas mileage lately and when the car in under a load - like going up a hill - it barely runs and loses power - the check engine light also comes on. I have a vacumm line on top of the value cover that keeps blowing off
But i also noticed that when i get home the engine and exhaust are really hot to the touch and about 1 1/2 later its still hot - any suggestions or advice - we did a tune up on it and changed the fuel filter - i was thinking it could be the cadillac convertor maybe. Any thoughts or suggestions will be greatly appreciated

[Mike Gerber]

"the check engine light also comes on."

Start by checking for stored codes in the computer. All you need on these OBD1 systems is a piece of wire or a paper clip. Look up the procedure in any manual or try Autozone.com on line for the proecedure.

Mike

[marc780]

Racemom you dont say how many miles on this engine, but if its over 100,000 i would start the diagnosis with a compression check. Minimum psi is 142. If its lower than this maybe you need a valve job or rings or time for another car...
If the compression check shows high enough then maybe you just need a tuneup wtih new plugs and plug wires, distribuotr cap and rotor, and a new fuel filter and air filter. And try some 91 octane gas

[kamesama980]

first guess would be vacuum leaks. especially since oyu say the hose is blowing off...loss of power, running hot (from lean combustion) CEL will come on if its lean enough long enough or pinging...you really need to pull the codes. short t1(te1?) and e1 in the diagnostics plug in the engine bay and count the flashses of the CEL inside with the key on/engine off.

the hose is probably the PCV hose, and when it blows off, you get a vacuum leak to the manifold giving you the trouble. you can probably get a new hose at an auto parts store or toyota dealer...or pay $2 and get some hose from a hardware store and plug it in there.


LOL @ cadillac converter.....catalytic converter is how its spelled unless youre putting GM hardware in your camry.