VSV - anyone installed one???

[dj14901]

Here's the TSB related to the subject:

http://webbox.com/download/streamer....ensor%2Epdf://

Now here's the question - Has anyone installed one of these? Any tips/words of warning?

FYI, it's a '98 Camry 4cyl 5spd...

Thanks for your help!

DJ

[Nick]

its dead easy, just take off the rail that holds the 2 vsv's, there's 1 screw holding each

just replace it, plug it back up, and you're done, mine's been busted for a year, you don't need it

[Phi]

Sorry I can't help you with the install.

Just out of curiousity, what symptoms will the car have if the VSV malfunctions?

[Nick]

bad emissions

[dj14901]

Well, the primary symptom is the Check Engine Light coming on sporadically. I've replaced the gas cap and always tighten it past the first click, so that doesn't seem to be the problem. However, I've noticed that it's usually after driving in rainy weather that the light goes on.

My mechanic called a local Toyota dealership and they told him that the vacuum lines get condensation in them, which causes the light to go on. There's a TSB out there (see post above), and a redesigned part, which will hopefully cure this problem. I'm planning on installing it this weekend, I'll let you know how it goes... The CEL is really annoying because w/o a scanner it's tough to know how serious the problem is...

Hope that helps!

DJ

[dj14901]

Well, this was about a 10 minute job that turned into a 4 hour ordeal involving a couple of trips to the hardware store. I jacked the car up, located the valve (right near the charcoal canister in back), unplugged the electrical connector & vacuum lines w/no problems. However, the engineer that designed the bracket obviously didn't intend for this to be changed while the charcoal canister was still attached to the body.

There's about 3" of clearance between the mounting screw and the spare tire well. Plus, it's complicated by the fact that the rear suspension is directly below the canister. The angle is just about impossible, I tried every screwdriver, screwdriver attachment, offset screwdriver, etc. to no avail. Well, in all of this effort, the cheap screw they used from the factory completely stripped. Wonderful :-) Finally, I coated the bracket with PB Blaster (carefully so as to not get any on the rubber vacuum lines) and used a Dremel tool to notch the screw so I could use a flathead stubby screwdriver to get the bolt out. Then I went to the hardward store and got a replacement bolt and lock washer of higher quality, so this wouldn't happen again...

So, to anyone who needs to replace this - make sure you're very careful in getting the bolt out, otherwise this seemingly simple task can turn into a nightmare.

Hope this helps someone avoid the fun I had this weekend ;-)

Take Care,

DJ

P.S. I disconnected the battery and the CEL is out. Hopefully it'll stay that way, I'll post results in about a month...