2001 Celica GTS, low/fluctuating power on take off

Hi there,

I took it twice to dealer and they couldn't find the problem. Here is what's
happening (at random times, more often with a warm engine):
* transmission (manual) in neutral, start the engine;
* I notice that it takes longer to start than it use to (it didn't miss
any start, though)
* engage first gear, drive the car slowly (1000 - 1500 rpm)
* give it significantly more gas => nothing happens for about 1.5
seconds
* eventually the power kicks in

Now, let's say you're at a stop, in neutral. Every now and then, idle gets
rough, it drops to 600 rpm (can't really see but it's way under 1000), then
comes back, drops again, engine almost stalls, then comes back. No engine
light came on...

It's still happy to rev but it feels underpowered (hesitant is a better
word). I get 15-20 miles / tank less than I used to.

Mods (had them before the problems developed):
* Typhoon free flow air intake (don't ask, the air filter is clean and
so is the mass airflow sensor)

As far as maintenance, everything was done on time, some often than actually
required. :-) Apparently, electrical problems were ruled out by the
inspections.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks,
Raymond

"Raymond Balint" <rbalint@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:29-dnf3P15yATQ3fRVn-rg@comcast.com...[color=blue]
> Hi there,
>
> I took it twice to dealer and they couldn't find the problem. Here is
> what's happening (at random times, more often with a warm engine):
> * transmission (manual) in neutral, start the engine;
> * I notice that it takes longer to start than it use to (it didn't miss
> any start, though)
> * engage first gear, drive the car slowly (1000 - 1500 rpm)
> * give it significantly more gas => nothing happens for about 1.5
> seconds
> * eventually the power kicks in
>
> Now, let's say you're at a stop, in neutral. Every now and then, idle gets
> rough, it drops to 600 rpm (can't really see but it's way under 1000),
> then comes back, drops again, engine almost stalls, then comes back. No
> engine light came on...
>
> It's still happy to rev but it feels underpowered (hesitant is a better
> word). I get 15-20 miles / tank less than I used to.
>
> Mods (had them before the problems developed):
> * Typhoon free flow air intake (don't ask, the air filter is clean and
> so is the mass airflow sensor)
>
> As far as maintenance, everything was done on time, some often than
> actually required. :-) Apparently, electrical problems were ruled out by
> the inspections.
>
> Any other suggestions?
>
> Thanks,
> Raymond[/color]
Vacuum leak?
--
Ray O
correct the return address punctuation to reply

Good advice! I checked the vaccum cap I put on when I installed the Typhoon
intake and although it looked like new it was loose (it felt like a 0.5mm
gap). The pressure must have kept it in place all this time. Can't repro the
problem so far...

--
Raymond



"Ray O" <rokigawa@tristarassociatesDOT.com> wrote in message
news:d991a$42914e25$180fead6$3789@msgid.meganewsservers.com...

[color=blue]
> Vacuum leak?
> --
> Ray O
> correct the return address punctuation to reply
>
>
> "Raymond Balint" <rbalint@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:29-dnf3P15yATQ3fRVn-rg@comcast.com...[color=green]
>> Hi there,
>>
>> I took it twice to dealer and they couldn't find the problem. Here is
>> what's happening (at random times, more often with a warm engine):
>> * transmission (manual) in neutral, start the engine;
>> * I notice that it takes longer to start than it use to (it didn't
>> miss any start, though)
>> * engage first gear, drive the car slowly (1000 - 1500 rpm)
>> * give it significantly more gas => nothing happens for about 1.5
>> seconds
>> * eventually the power kicks in
>>
>> Now, let's say you're at a stop, in neutral. Every now and then, idle
>> gets rough, it drops to 600 rpm (can't really see but it's way under
>> 1000), then comes back, drops again, engine almost stalls, then comes
>> back. No engine light came on...
>>
>> It's still happy to rev but it feels underpowered (hesitant is a better
>> word). I get 15-20 miles / tank less than I used to.
>>
>> Mods (had them before the problems developed):
>> * Typhoon free flow air intake (don't ask, the air filter is clean
>> and so is the mass airflow sensor)
>>
>> As far as maintenance, everything was done on time, some often than
>> actually required. :-) Apparently, electrical problems were ruled out by
>> the inspections.
>>
>> Any other suggestions?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Raymond[/color][/color]

On Sun, 22 May 2005 11:31:55 -0700, Raymond Balint wrote:
[color=blue]
> Hi there,
>
> I took it twice to dealer and they couldn't find the problem. Here is
> what's happening (at random times, more often with a warm engine):
> * transmission (manual) in neutral, start the engine; * I notice that
> it takes longer to start than it use to (it didn't miss
> any start, though)
> * engage first gear, drive the car slowly (1000 - 1500 rpm) * give it
> significantly more gas => nothing happens for about 1.5
> seconds
> * eventually the power kicks in
>
> Now, let's say you're at a stop, in neutral. Every now and then, idle gets
> rough, it drops to 600 rpm (can't really see but it's way under 1000),
> then comes back, drops again, engine almost stalls, then comes back. No
> engine light came on...
>
> It's still happy to rev but it feels underpowered (hesitant is a better
> word). I get 15-20 miles / tank less than I used to.
>
> Mods (had them before the problems developed):
> * Typhoon free flow air intake (don't ask, the air filter is clean
> and
> so is the mass airflow sensor)
>
> As far as maintenance, everything was done on time, some often than
> actually required. :-) Apparently, electrical problems were ruled out by
> the inspections.
>
> Any other suggestions?
>
> Thanks,
> Raymond[/color]

Hmmm....classic signs of a vacuum problem? Try checking the hoses/tubing
for partial blockage. Try spraying a cleaner down them (after removing
and replacing them ONE AT A TIME!) and allow to dry. Also, check the
throttle plate inside the plenum; it may be sticking; clean with carb
cleaner.

On Sun, 22 May 2005 22:20:28 -0500, Ray O wrote:
[color=blue]
>
> "Raymond Balint" <rbalint@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:29-dnf3P15yATQ3fRVn-rg@comcast.com...[color=green]
>> Hi there,
>>
>> I took it twice to dealer and they couldn't find the problem. Here is
>> what's happening (at random times, more often with a warm engine):
>> * transmission (manual) in neutral, start the engine; * I notice that
>> it takes longer to start than it use to (it didn't miss
>> any start, though)
>> * engage first gear, drive the car slowly (1000 - 1500 rpm) * give it
>> significantly more gas => nothing happens for about 1.5
>> seconds
>> * eventually the power kicks in
>>
>> Now, let's say you're at a stop, in neutral. Every now and then, idle
>> gets rough, it drops to 600 rpm (can't really see but it's way under
>> 1000), then comes back, drops again, engine almost stalls, then comes
>> back. No engine light came on...
>>
>> It's still happy to rev but it feels underpowered (hesitant is a better
>> word). I get 15-20 miles / tank less than I used to.
>>
>> Mods (had them before the problems developed):
>> * Typhoon free flow air intake (don't ask, the air filter is clean
>> and
>> so is the mass airflow sensor)
>>
>> As far as maintenance, everything was done on time, some often than
>> actually required. :-) Apparently, electrical problems were ruled out by
>> the inspections.
>>
>> Any other suggestions?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Raymond[/color]
> Vacuum leak?[/color]


Well, well, fancy meeting you here!

That was my first guess, too. Looks like it was a good one!

"hachiroku" <ae86@Trueno.GTS> wrote in message
news:pan.2005.07.04.13.37.57.872197@Trueno.GTS...[color=blue]
> On Sun, 22 May 2005 22:20:28 -0500, Ray O wrote:
>[color=green]
>>
>> "Raymond Balint" <rbalint@comcast.net> wrote in message
>> news:29-dnf3P15yATQ3fRVn-rg@comcast.com...[color=darkred]
>>> Hi there,
>>>
>>> I took it twice to dealer and they couldn't find the problem. Here is
>>> what's happening (at random times, more often with a warm engine):
>>> * transmission (manual) in neutral, start the engine; * I notice that
>>> it takes longer to start than it use to (it didn't miss
>>> any start, though)
>>> * engage first gear, drive the car slowly (1000 - 1500 rpm) * give it
>>> significantly more gas => nothing happens for about 1.5
>>> seconds
>>> * eventually the power kicks in
>>>
>>> Now, let's say you're at a stop, in neutral. Every now and then, idle
>>> gets rough, it drops to 600 rpm (can't really see but it's way under
>>> 1000), then comes back, drops again, engine almost stalls, then comes
>>> back. No engine light came on...
>>>
>>> It's still happy to rev but it feels underpowered (hesitant is a better
>>> word). I get 15-20 miles / tank less than I used to.
>>>
>>> Mods (had them before the problems developed):
>>> * Typhoon free flow air intake (don't ask, the air filter is clean
>>> and
>>> so is the mass airflow sensor)
>>>
>>> As far as maintenance, everything was done on time, some often than
>>> actually required. :-) Apparently, electrical problems were ruled out by
>>> the inspections.
>>>
>>> Any other suggestions?
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> Raymond[/color]
>> Vacuum leak?[/color]
>
>
> Well, well, fancy meeting you here!
>
> That was my first guess, too. Looks like it was a good one![/color]

Great minds think alike!
--
Ray O
correct the return address punctuation to reply