Resolve semi rough idle - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

97ava · 10-24-2007, 09:53 PM

I drive a 1997 avalon w/ about 154,000 miles on it, there is a semi rough idle, I feel vibration when the car is idle. Is there any way that I can resolve so it does not idle as hard?

aigochamaloh · 10-24-2007, 10:52 PM

what do you mean semi rough idle? you can't make a car not idle as "hard" what rpm does it idle at? are you idling too high or too low. i know that in my car, when it idled low, it rumbled/vibrated/didn't feel too good. that was the 400-500 rpm range.

4runnerracer · 10-24-2007, 11:38 PM

Change the air filter if you havent done so recently.

jon456 · 10-25-2007, 11:08 AM

My 98 idles at about 800 rpm to give you an idea of what it should do. Obviously its more if it is really cold out and you have the AC or heat on or whatever. Once the engine warms up though its between 700-800 RPM.

edbro9 · 10-25-2007, 11:15 AM

Clean the MAF sensor and the Idle Air Control Valve.

edbro9 · 10-25-2007, 11:20 AM

IACV cleaning HowTo:
http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums...=30723&hl=iacv

MAF Sensor:
http://www.clublexus.com/forums/show...ght=maf+sensor

Don't be put off by the Lexus links; same engine as Avalon.

parimento1 · 10-26-2007, 11:51 PM

Could also be a bad engine mount at that mileage, allowing the engine to shake more.

parimento1 · 10-26-2007, 11:52 PM

might also need a tune-up...I am assuming u have no CELs for misfire codes

cexsiman · 10-27-2007, 02:05 AM

all those are great suggestions, check your idle tho, it sounds like it might be low, and maybe clean up your injectors, would help and couldnt really hurt anyway, especially with that kinda mileage.

TMack409 · 10-28-2007, 05:58 AM

Clean the butterfly valve in the throttle body. Works everytime for me! (1996)

96avalonman · 10-28-2007, 01:32 PM

hey... i have a 96 and on some days it idles a little above 800 and others it purrs like a charm... i amount it to ohio weather and the fact that it has 192000 on it

97ava · 10-28-2007, 04:37 PM

Thanks for all the advice Guys. I am not mechanically inclined, so I will try the tune up first and hopefully that will help. I am afraid to attmept removing and cleaning something in fear that I won't be able to get it back in.

edbro9 · 10-29-2007, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97ava

Thanks for all the advice Guys. I am not mechanically inclined, so I will try the tune up first and hopefully that will help. I am afraid to attmept removing and cleaning something in fear that I won't be able to get it back in.

There really isn't much to a tune-up that isn't covered in these other suggestions. In the old days tune-ups had to be done regularly to adjust timing and change contacts, points and plugs. Nowadays, plugs last for a very long time and the other things are not longer concerns with electronic ignitions. There really isn't anything to "tune".

If you are looking for the easiest things to then I would start with looking at the air filter. The biggest bang for you labor buck is to clean the MAF sensor; very easy to do and makes a big difference. How old are your plugs?

Cleaning the IACV is probably the hardest to do. If you go for cleaning the throttle body valves then you are already halfway there to cleaning the IACV.

97ava · 10-29-2007, 08:53 PM

I will clean the maf sensor, i saw the link on the lexus website and that seems pretty simple. My plugs are probably 1 1/2 year old, so it might be time for a tune up. I was not going to attempt the tune-up myself. But do you think it's possible for me to complete by myself?

edbro9 · 10-30-2007, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97ava

I will clean the maf sensor, i saw the link on the lexus website and that seems pretty simple. My plugs are probably 1 1/2 year old, so it might be time for a tune up. I was not going to attempt the tune-up myself. But do you think it's possible for me to complete by myself?

As I said above; there really isn't a "tune-up" anymore. Look at your mx schedule. What type plugs do you have in there now? I have a 2000 Av and it takes platinum plugs that go for 60-90K miles.

You might also benefit from a fuel injection cleaning. I recommend using Seafoam. You can add it to your fuel tank.

If you are really ambitious, you can suck Seafoam into the intake manifold through a vaccum line. It will clear out all the carbon build up. I did this and it made a big difference in engine power and fuel economy. Not sure it will help with your idle though. See here:
http://www.clublexus.com/forums/show...hlight=seafoam