92 dx sudden rough idle,and bogging down - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

freezejg · 02-03-2011, 06:49 AM

This is my first yota and the only one I have had so far, and until these last couple days it has been running fine. All of a sudden the other day it started missing and running rough, when you accelerate it bogs down then snaps up and takes off like it had a turbo or something, at an idle sometimes it has a steady miss or skip sometimes it doesn't. In the last two days its only gotten worse, I can now floor it from a stop and it barely moves enough to get out of its own way, and then all of a sudden like magic its like it gets kicked in the butt and it takes of. Any ideas, I've had friends that were on this forum that recommended you all so I figured I'd check it out. Thanks for the help.

tacosteelersman · 02-03-2011, 08:48 AM

My wifes 91 started running crappy one day, an ignition tune up including distributor cap and rotor, spark plugs and plug wires,and when oil was found in one of the cylinders the beast got a valve cover gasket with the plug seals. All this was done at the same time so I can not say which was the culprit. Basically you should concentrate on tune up stuff..If that don't fix it go from there.

corolliaxe · 02-03-2011, 09:06 AM

have you tried seafoam? that stuff is crazy. i did this to my car and i was really scared i was going to jack up my engine. if you have brassed ones you can try this experiment. you can youtube the instructions on how to do this.

at the time my car was running pretty rough so i noticed some difference in the idle. as the above user stated you should do a tune-up 1st.

freezejg · 02-03-2011, 10:57 AM

Thanks alot for the info, I wish it was something I could pin down without having to "tune up" everything, money is a little tight right now, I will add that it has 165000 miles on it, ORIGINAL everything except spark plugs and wires from what I can remember it has given me NO problems whatsoever, I'm thinking it could possibly be the distributor cap,which would be a good thing because its only 46$ including new wires, and I would rather it be something that simple, I mean I am somewhat mechanically inclined but I don't want to nor have the money to invest a lot in the car right this second. The seafoam isn't a bad idea ethier, I hate that stuff. Thanks again, and if anyone else has any ideas feel free to post away, Thanks.

freezejg · 02-03-2011, 12:58 PM

Also it SMELLS HORRIBLE, a mixture of rich/burning/just stinky smell.

90 GP · 02-03-2011, 03:04 PM

Check the engine compression to see if in spec. As suggested could be ignition related. Add ignition coil and ignitor to list of suspects. Check all vac lines for leaks.

Brown_Muscle · 02-03-2011, 06:52 PM

if your going to get the cap and wires, get the rotor and plugs as well... the rotors only a couple bucks as are each of the spark plugs. Go from there.

tacosteelersman · 02-03-2011, 08:19 PM

Brown and all other posters are right, plugs and rotor are cheep BUT when it comes to money. Wait till dark, very dark, cold engine, start car and use a spary bottle with a mist setting. With the engine running mist the area where the plug wires are routed, look for sparks and arching. Day time on this one,Remove cap and inspect the plastic for cracks or moisture, also look at the inner terminals that distribute the spark, use sand paper or abrasive to scratch those terminals. Inspect rotor and scratch that surface also, (be carefull to not remove too much metal as you are vareing tolerences) reinstall cleaned old parts. This is not a permanent fix just something to lymp you by and maybe find the problem. Keep us updated.

freezejg · 02-05-2011, 06:46 AM

Thanks for the help everybody,The nighttime arc test is a great idea, didn't think about that, I will try "gently" cleaning the cap and rotor also and see if that'll fix her. The car is only used here and there for "fuel economy" otherwise I drive my truck, but lately it's been acting up so I drive the corolla more and now ITS acting up, so Thanks for the help and when and how I get it fixed I'll be sure to post it up.

retiredat44 · 02-05-2011, 01:44 PM

you will be sorry if you get a cheap cap and wires.. even if it helps they only last a few months before they go really bad..

hows the fuel pressure??

IMHO

tacosteelersman · 02-05-2011, 01:44 PM

Yes please do post back on your progress, this thread could help others.

freezejg · 02-07-2011, 06:15 AM

Fuel Injector Cleaner= no change
Seafoam= no change
Cap and rotor= WOW had buildup on all posts, one really bad, cleaned all put back together, no change.

Things I will be doing this week,
Fuel Filter
if no fix then
wires,cap and rotor
if no fix then???? who knows

corolliaxe · 02-07-2011, 08:06 AM

i'm stumped.

maybe one of your injectors is clogged. by the way if your injector is clogged that injector cleaner stuff is most like not going to help you.

Did you check the spark plugs? if you take em out you can clean them with a wirebrush and they be almost like new again. Also check the gap.

90 GP · 02-07-2011, 08:41 AM

Since spark plugs are inexpensive might want to try replacing them to see what happens. Also check out ignition coil to see if in spec with an ohmeter. Here is a link. Have also heard of ignitors causing problems. Although an expense consider a replacement distributor. That eliminates all the individual pieces that could be causing issues in your present one.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/rep...00c152800b8b92

freezejg · 02-07-2011, 11:26 AM

I'll check the plugs again, what is the gap spec for it?
A distributor is 399$ new and 192$ Reman OUCH. Definately don't want to have to spend that kind of money right now on this thing.