1994 Toyota Camry problems

Several months ago I brought my 4-cylendar, auto-trans camry to a local
shop for major maintenance work (120,000 miles on it). After the work,
I noticed there are new problems that I never had:

1. Poor gas mileage: 15 mpg. (used to be 22+ mpg)
2. Some noise coming from engine when accelerating.
3. Some noise coming from rear (muffler side) when accelerating.
4. Noticeable engine vibration when car reach 3000 rpm, especially in
low gears.

I brought it back to the local shop but they denied any wrong doing and
refuse to any further service to fix the problems. Here are the works
they've done (listed in the statement.)

..Change oil & filter
..Clean and adjust brakes rear
..Drain & refill differential
..Drain & refill radiator
..Drain & refill transmission
..Install air filter
..Install fuel injection chemical
..Install spark plugs
..Replace brake fluid
..Replace distributor cap
..Replace fuel filter
..Replace motor mount
..Replace PCV valve
..Replace radiator
..Replace valve cover gasket
..Replace wire - 4 Cyl
..Replace cam & crank seales
..Replace timing belt

Can any one know which part(s) of works causing the problems? The car
used to run very nice untill the local shop ruin it.

Thank you in advance.

HO, 3/15/2006, 4:46:53 AM,
<1142416013.911454.84150@j52g2000cwj.googlegroups.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
> Several months ago I brought my 4-cylendar, auto-trans camry to a
> local shop for major maintenance work (120,000 miles on it). After
> the work, I noticed there are new problems that I never had:
>
> 1. Poor gas mileage: 15 mpg. (used to be 22+ mpg)
> 2. Some noise coming from engine when accelerating.
> 3. Some noise coming from rear (muffler side) when accelerating.
> 4. Noticeable engine vibration when car reach 3000 rpm, especially in
> low gears.
>
> I brought it back to the local shop but they denied any wrong doing
> and refuse to any further service to fix the problems. Here are the
> works they've done (listed in the statement.)
>
> .Change oil & filter
> .Clean and adjust brakes rear
> .Drain & refill differential
> .Drain & refill radiator
> .Drain & refill transmission
> .Install air filter
> .Install fuel injection chemical
> .Install spark plugs
> .Replace brake fluid
> .Replace distributor cap
> .Replace fuel filter
> .Replace motor mount
> .Replace PCV valve
> .Replace radiator
> .Replace valve cover gasket
> .Replace wire - 4 Cyl
> .Replace cam & crank seales
> .Replace timing belt
>
> Can any one know which part(s) of works causing the problems? The car
> used to run very nice untill the local shop ruin it.
>
> Thank you in advance.[/color]

Those items seem like routine jobs required around that mileage. The
vibration could definetly be related to the motor mounts. You may have
to replace the other two also. My 94 Camry had problems with vibration
for a long time that I never quite eliminated. I suspected the
remanufactured right axle being out of balance but never replaced it
again.

The noise from the muffler area could be a loose clamp, heat shield, or
hole.

The remainder may be related to their work. I find it disconcerting
that they don't even want to check to see what may be wrong. They may
have left a vacuum hose or such disconnected. You may have to take it
elsewhere and find out what is wrong then decide if it is related to
the original shop's incompetence. From there you may be able to get
consumer agencies involved.

--
“Get all the fools on your side and you can be elected to anything.” ~
Frank Dane

The timing belt was changed. Could something (valves) be out of time?


---MIKE---[color=blue][color=green]
>>In the White Mountains of New Hampshire
>> (44° 15' N - Elevation 1580')[/color][/color]

HO wrote:[color=blue]
> Several months ago I brought my 4-cylendar, auto-trans camry to a local
> shop for major maintenance work (120,000 miles on it). After the work,
> I noticed there are new problems that I never had:
>
> 1. Poor gas mileage: 15 mpg. (used to be 22+ mpg)
> 2. Some noise coming from engine when accelerating.
> 3. Some noise coming from rear (muffler side) when accelerating.
> 4. Noticeable engine vibration when car reach 3000 rpm, especially in
> low gears.
>
> I brought it back to the local shop but they denied any wrong doing and
> refuse to any further service to fix the problems. Here are the works
> they've done (listed in the statement.)
>
> .Change oil & filter
> .Clean and adjust brakes rear
> .Drain & refill differential
> .Drain & refill radiator
> .Drain & refill transmission
> .Install air filter
> .Install fuel injection chemical
> .Install spark plugs
> .Replace brake fluid
> .Replace distributor cap
> .Replace fuel filter
> .Replace motor mount
> .Replace PCV valve
> .Replace radiator
> .Replace valve cover gasket
> .Replace wire - 4 Cyl
> .Replace cam & crank seales
> .Replace timing belt
>
> Can any one know which part(s) of works causing the problems? The car
> used to run very nice untill the local shop ruin it.
>
> Thank you in advance.[/color]


Replace radiator and timing belt? No replacing water pump?

If they put a spark plug wire in loose, would this cause vibration too?

Was this an independent shop, or a franchise chain? Don't go there for
service any more... tell all your friends / family to stay away from
them.

"HO" <kchinusa@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1142416013.911454.84150@j52g2000cwj.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> Several months ago I brought my 4-cylendar, auto-trans camry to a local
> shop for major maintenance work (120,000 miles on it). After the work,
> I noticed there are new problems that I never had:
>
> 1. Poor gas mileage: 15 mpg. (used to be 22+ mpg)
> 2. Some noise coming from engine when accelerating.
> 3. Some noise coming from rear (muffler side) when accelerating.
> 4. Noticeable engine vibration when car reach 3000 rpm, especially in
> low gears.
>
> I brought it back to the local shop but they denied any wrong doing and
> refuse to any further service to fix the problems. Here are the works
> they've done (listed in the statement.)
>
> .Change oil & filter
> .Clean and adjust brakes rear
> .Drain & refill differential
> .Drain & refill radiator
> .Drain & refill transmission
> .Install air filter
> .Install fuel injection chemical
> .Install spark plugs
> .Replace brake fluid
> .Replace distributor cap
> .Replace fuel filter
> .Replace motor mount
> .Replace PCV valve
> .Replace radiator
> .Replace valve cover gasket
> .Replace wire - 4 Cyl
> .Replace cam & crank seales
> .Replace timing belt
>
> Can any one know which part(s) of works causing the problems? The car
> used to run very nice untill the local shop ruin it.
>
> Thank you in advance.
>[/color]

Aftermarket ignition parts (spark plugs, ignition wires, and distributor cap
from the list above) can sometimes cause symptoms 1, 2, & 4 in Toyotas.

Replacing the motor mount could also cause #4 if the replacement motor mount
is bad, something is not aligned, or a bad motor or transmission mount was
not replaced.

The exhaust noise is probably unrelated to the work they did.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Can you describe the noise in more detail? Vibration or something
slapping/rubbing against a plastic cover?

<johngdole@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1142730695.509711.297540@i39g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> Can you describe the noise in more detail? Vibration or something
> slapping/rubbing against a plastic cover?
>[/color]

It would be helpful if you quoted previous posts so people knew what you are
talking about.

If you are asking about rear suspension noises in that generation Camry,
people sometimes complain of a groaning, low-pitched squeak coming from the
rear of the car when going over bumps. That noise is caused by the rear
sway bar bushings rubbing on the sway bar. Remove the bracket that holds
the bushing, remove the bushing, clean it up, grease with lithium grease or
Ford bushing lube, and put it back together. This will stop the noise for a
while, or you can replace the bushings - the replacement part should not
make noise.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Thank you all for all the feedbacks. The local shop is the independent
shop I found in Penny Saver. I thought it would be a bargain because
of the printed coupons. It turned out that I was wrong...

More about the vibration and afterward:

1. The engine vibrates when it reaches 3,000 rpm, espcially in low
grears (accelerating on the road). However, when the car is in P
(park) and I step on the gas pedal to make it reach 3,000 rpm, NO
vibration!

2. It's hard to describe the noise coming from the rear (muffler side).
It sounds like "Po, Po, Po..." whenever accelerating. However, like
(1), No noise when the car is in P (park) and I step on the gas pedal.

3. Weeks ago I had Pep Boys to have the car tuned up. I also added the
chemicals (improving-mileage formula) to the gas tank. None of them
really improve the poor mileage (still around 15-16 mpg).

These problems make me think about trading it. I appreciate if any one
can point out the problem(s) and suggestions.

Thank you in advance.

=====



Ray O wrote:[color=blue]
> <johngdole@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1142730695.509711.297540@i39g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=green]
> > Can you describe the noise in more detail? Vibration or something
> > slapping/rubbing against a plastic cover?
> >[/color]
>
> It would be helpful if you quoted previous posts so people knew what you are
> talking about.
>
> If you are asking about rear suspension noises in that generation Camry,
> people sometimes complain of a groaning, low-pitched squeak coming from the
> rear of the car when going over bumps. That noise is caused by the rear
> sway bar bushings rubbing on the sway bar. Remove the bracket that holds
> the bushing, remove the bushing, clean it up, grease with lithium grease or
> Ford bushing lube, and put it back together. This will stop the noise for a
> while, or you can replace the bushings - the replacement part should not
> make noise.
> --
>
> Ray O
> (correct punctuation to reply)[/color]

HO wrote:
snip[color=blue]
> 3. Weeks ago I had Pep Boys to have the car tuned up. I also added
> the chemicals (improving-mileage formula) to the gas tank. None of
> them really improve the poor mileage (still around 15-16 mpg).
>
> These problems make me think about trading it. I appreciate if any
> one can point out the problem(s) and suggestions.
>
> Thank you in advance.[/color]
snip

I can't speak for the Pep Boys in different areas but where I live they
don't have a good reputation. I would suggest you get an independant shop
that's ASE certified or a dealer to look at the car.
It sounds like you're describing a misfire and these can show when car is
under a load but not show when no load on engine.
Dave

"davidj92" <davidj92REMOVE@sigecom.net> wrote:
[color=blue]
>HO wrote:
>snip[color=green]
>> 3. Weeks ago I had Pep Boys to have the car tuned up. I also added
>> the chemicals (improving-mileage formula) to the gas tank. None of
>> them really improve the poor mileage (still around 15-16 mpg).
>>
>> These problems make me think about trading it. I appreciate if any
>> one can point out the problem(s) and suggestions.
>>
>> Thank you in advance.[/color]
>snip
>
>I can't speak for the Pep Boys in different areas but where I live they
>don't have a good reputation. I would suggest you get an independant shop
>that's ASE certified or a dealer to look at the car.
>It sounds like you're describing a misfire and these can show when car is
>under a load but not show when no load on engine.
>Dave
>[/color]
I agree Dave...
--

-Gord.
(use gordon in email)

"HO" <kchinusa@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1142837450.629101.274800@e56g2000cwe.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> Thank you all for all the feedbacks. The local shop is the independent
> shop I found in Penny Saver. I thought it would be a bargain because
> of the printed coupons. It turned out that I was wrong...[/color]

As Dave suggested, you should take your car to the Toyota dealer or
indpendent shop with ASE certified technicians. You will often end up
wasting money by taking your car to a shop without certified technicans.[color=blue]
>
> More about the vibration and afterward:
>
> 1. The engine vibrates when it reaches 3,000 rpm, espcially in low
> grears (accelerating on the road). However, when the car is in P
> (park) and I step on the gas pedal to make it reach 3,000 rpm, NO
> vibration![/color]

It sounds like an engine mount or transmission mount problem, the only way
to tell for sure is for a knowledgeable person to test drive it.[color=blue]
>
> 2. It's hard to describe the noise coming from the rear (muffler side).
> It sounds like "Po, Po, Po..." whenever accelerating. However, like
> (1), No noise when the car is in P (park) and I step on the gas pedal.
>[/color]

See my answer to #1 above.

[color=blue]
> 3. Weeks ago I had Pep Boys to have the car tuned up. I also added the
> chemicals (improving-mileage formula) to the gas tank. None of them
> really improve the poor mileage (still around 15-16 mpg).[/color]


I have yet so see any additives actually improve gas mileage to a
measureable degree. IMO, they're all a waste of money.
[color=blue]
>
> These problems make me think about trading it. I appreciate if any one
> can point out the problem(s) and suggestions.
>
> Thank you in advance.
>
> =====[/color]

Things that affect fuel mileage:

1) Driving habits
2) Driving conditions (traffic, road, weather)
3) Tire inflation
4) engine condition and tune (cheap aftermarket plugs can cause a decrease
in performance and economy)
5) transmission condition


--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)[color=blue]
>
>
> Ray O wrote:[color=green]
>> <johngdole@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:1142730695.509711.297540@i39g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=darkred]
>> > Can you describe the noise in more detail? Vibration or something
>> > slapping/rubbing against a plastic cover?
>> >[/color]
>>
>> It would be helpful if you quoted previous posts so people knew what you
>> are
>> talking about.
>>
>> If you are asking about rear suspension noises in that generation Camry,
>> people sometimes complain of a groaning, low-pitched squeak coming from
>> the
>> rear of the car when going over bumps. That noise is caused by the rear
>> sway bar bushings rubbing on the sway bar. Remove the bracket that holds
>> the bushing, remove the bushing, clean it up, grease with lithium grease
>> or
>> Ford bushing lube, and put it back together. This will stop the noise
>> for a
>> while, or you can replace the bushings - the replacement part should not
>> make noise.
>> --
>>
>> Ray O
>> (correct punctuation to reply)[/color]
>[/color]