1996 poor acceleration- heavy feel

[stevehosun]

Hello,

I am a newbie. My mom hand down me 1996 Avalon (45K miles). It is too heavy feeling-- with poor acceleration. After 2000 RPM, it seldom goes higher even when I press accelerometer to the floor. I cleaned Air intake and add Techron. Scanner did not find any error code stored. It had been driven only max 50 miles per hour by mom in Virginia. Now car moved to California.

Do you have any idea where I should fix it? Or it is the way Avalon was designed.

Thanks for your help.

[2way]

Check for a clogged air filter.
Try cleaning the Mass Air Flow Sensor w/CRC's Mass Air Flow Sensor Cleaner.

[stevehosun]

Thanks 2Way,

I found out MAP sensor is located between air filter and rubber tube leading to air-intake TB. Cleaning TB may not clearn MAP sensor itself. I will try it and let you know.

[2way]

Just don't use carb cleaner on it. CRC's Mass Air Flow Sensor Cleaner is best... but, can be tough to find. Next would be a non residue electronics cleaner... lastly, non residue brake cleaner.

[steve326a]

Also possibly dirty fuel filter.

[stevehosun]

Hello,

After cleaning MAF with 90% Alcohol, it improved a lot; but not up to my expectation like toyota camry which is roaring with light step on accel. I will try STP fuel cleaner hoping that it can clean fuel system.

Thanks guys.

[2way]

Originally Posted by steve326a

Also possibly dirty fuel filter.

True... Lol, I go by Wrentham almost every day...

Glad to see it made some improvement, stevehosun. Stomping on it... should definitely press you back into the seat a bit..

Sounds like you need to give it some Maintenance TLC. Air filter, maybe Fuel filter, check the plugs (they should last @ least 90K, tho). Clean out the throttle body (unless that's what you meant by cleaning the intake). Some good injector cleaner. Oil change..

Maybe try Seafoaming the top end.

Try & find CRC's Mass Air Flow Sensor Cleaner. Alcohol will do 1/2 way decent job... but, can leave a residue,

Consider adding a Short Ram intake... a '96 Camry one can be added w/little modification... a heat shielded one aimed @ the factory cold air inlet... even better.

[silverxls]

a quick note to say don't waste your time with stp cleaner...it's next to useless.... get some BG products 44K or some chevron techron to clean the fuel system with.

[stevehosun]

Still acclerometer is a little bit stiff. Does anyone know how to adjust accel cable tension? Throttle body and bufferfly flap were cleaned by CRC TB cleaner -- no more brown vanish comes out. Now it can drive well over 75 mi in LA freeways-- at the expense of leg muscle....

Air filter replacement probably helped in addition to CRC MAF cleaner--- more cold air--> more oxygen --> more engine power!

I will try BG 44K stuff on next time. So far I think STP and Techron stuff work as intended.

Thanks guys!

[2way]

Spray the throttle return spring & cable on the outside of the throttle body w/silicone spray. Take the cover off the cruise control box & spray moving parts w/white lithium grease. Accelerator cable actually goes to the cruise control.... & there is a separate cable to the throttle.

FYI, replacing the air filter probably got you more air. Cleaning the MAF improves the air flow measurement... measuring more air=more fuel=more power.

Glad you're starting to enjoy your Avalon

[stevehosun]

Hi 2way,

I did as you instructed to me. Upon opening cruise control box, I found that dirt is caked with grease for 10 yrs making it painful to press down accel pedal. I scratched off the dirt and spray silicon oil all over

Now it is very responsive! Thanks for your help to guide me.

[hsakuragi]

sea foam it