Rough idle after warm start

[lodom]

Hi,

I'm new to the forum and am hoping someone can assist with a problem we're having with our 2000 Camary 4-cyl auto. If the car sits for approx 20 minutes after it has been driven and is restarted, the engine surges while in park. It only does this for about 30 seconds and gradually smoothes out. Pressing the gas pedal a few times will speed up the process. if the engine is allowed to totally cool down, the problem doesn't happen.

The car has been the dealer numerous times and they have replaced the EGR valve and the throttle body. Neither of these helped at all. The dealer maintained if there were no trouble codes, they couldn't fix the problem. They were so clueless, they even tried to blame water in the gas tank and suggested running a tank of premium fuel through the car. The regional rep also was called in, and he provided no assistance.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[burchard]

Originally Posted by lodom

Hi,

I'm new to the forum and am hoping someone can assist with a problem we're having with our 2000 Camary 4-cyl auto. If the car sits for approx 20 minutes after it has been driven and is restarted, the engine surges while in park. It only does this for about 30 seconds and gradually smoothes out. Pressing the gas pedal a few times will speed up the process. if the engine is allowed to totally cool down, the problem doesn't happen.

The car has been the dealer numerous times and they have replaced the EGR valve and the throttle body. Neither of these helped at all. The dealer maintained if there were no trouble codes, they couldn't fix the problem. They were so clueless, they even tried to blame water in the gas tank and suggested running a tank of premium fuel through the car. The regional rep also was called in, and he provided no assistance.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

did your dealer check the engine coolant temp sensor. Sometimes the ECT fails erraticaly and almost never will appear in a computer check up. A classic sign is warm stalls or surges. This tends to happen in 94-98 or older though. just an idea.

[Jagwire]

Automatic's do tend to have lil rougher idle's than Standards.. unless its Violent.. or THAT noticable.. its really something that isnt ganna do much.. solution.. put it in park.. when idle.. see if that fixes the prob

[t^3]

Try turning all your accessories off, ie AC, fans, etc. I noticed something similar in my mom's 2001 Camry and after I turned off the fan, it went away.

[lodom]

Thanks for the suggestions. I guess replacing the ECT sensor might be worth a try. The bucking or surging does gradually go away, but it is annoying and it shouldn't be there. It really isn't causing a problem.