Acceleration Issues

[MikeyboyNJ]

I just got my 95 camry back from the dealer where they replaced my expansion valve and receiver/drier for my AC. They had the car for almost a week due to backorder in parts so I assume the car has been just sitting there.

Once I started the car, the engine sounded weak like it was going to stall. I let it warm up for a bit then I decided to run it on the street. When I tried accelerating, it struggled a lot. The RPMs were struggling to go over 3. When I get to stop light, the engine sounds like its choking. I kept driving it and then after another few miles everything became normal. I drove it for the rest of the day at different times and no engine issues.

The next morning I went out and the whole thing started all over again. This did not happen before the delaer replaced the expansion valve and receiver/drier and no the AC was not running when these engine acceleation problems were occurring. What is wrong?

I'm due for an oil change and air filter change.

[JerryR]

Originally Posted by MikeyboyNJ

I just got my 95 camry back from the dealer where they replaced my expansion valve and receiver/drier for my AC. They had the car for almost a week due to backorder in parts so I assume the car has been just sitting there.

Once I started the car, the engine sounded weak like it was going to stall. I let it warm up for a bit then I decided to run it on the street. When I tried accelerating, it struggled a lot. The RPMs were struggling to go over 3. When I get to stop light, the engine sounds like its choking. I kept driving it and then after another few miles everything became normal. I drove it for the rest of the day at different times and no engine issues.

The next morning I went out and the whole thing started all over again. This did not happen before the delaer replaced the expansion valve and receiver/drier and no the AC was not running when these engine acceleation problems were occurring. What is wrong?

I'm due for an oil change and air filter change.

First thing to do is bring it back to the dealer with your complaint. There is always a chance that they disconnected something in order to work on the AC and forgot to put it back.
Other than that I would suspect that the throttle body and/or the idle control valve are gummed up, and at a minimum require cleaning.

[MikeyboyNJ]

Why would this only happen on a cold start in the morning?

How often should you do a cleaning of the throttle body and idle control valve because that was all done in Feb '08?

Will fuel system cleaners help in this situation too?

I just changed my oil this morning and poured an extra quart while the drain was open to hopefully get more gunk out. I also changed the oil and air filter with Toyota filters. Let's see if that does anything because my last oil change I unfortunately used a Fram filter where all I heard were bad things.

[JerryR]

Originally Posted by MikeyboyNJ

Why would this only happen on a cold start in the morning?

How often should you do a cleaning of the throttle body and idle control valve because that was all done in Feb '08?

Will fuel system cleaners help in this situation too?

I just changed my oil this morning and poured an extra quart while the drain was open to hopefully get more gunk out. I also changed the oil and air filter with Toyota filters. Let's see if that does anything because my last oil change I unfortunately used a Fram filter where all I heard were bad things.

Based on my experience with a 97 LE, if the Idle Air Control valve is gummed up, the erratic idle/stalling can happen when the engine is cold or warm(had it happen both ways).
since the cleaning was done 1-1/2 years ago I would suspect the Idle Control valve more than the throttle body. The valve can be hard to clean and somtimes need replacing.
That being said, it's just a suspect !!. There could be a lot of other reasons for your problem.
HTH
JerryR

[MikeyboyNJ]

I just heard from the dealer and they said that I need to change my plugs, wires, rotor and distributor cap. It's been over 60K miles. Do you agree?

[Mike Gerber]

Originally Posted by MikeyboyNJ

I just heard from the dealer and they said that I need to change my plugs, wires, rotor and distributor cap. It's been over 60K miles. Do you agree?

Plugs, yes. For the wires, rotor and distributor cap, it depends if they were last changed using Toyota OEM parts or aftermarket parts. If Toyota OEM parts were last used, I would say no. If aftermarket parts were used, I would say yes, change them too. I have seen aftermarket plug wires last 1 year or less.

Mike

[JerryR]

ALL of those items went bad when sitting on the dealers lot waiting for parts???

[Mike Gerber]

"ALL of those items went bad when sitting on the dealers lot waiting for parts???"

JerryR brings up a good point. If your car didn't exhibit these problems before you broght it to the dealer, then something the dealer did is most likely the problem.

Mike