[stockmover]

I have posted several threads now about whats going on with my Camry V6 XLE.(94).

I have replaced and done the following

• Cleaned throttle body
• Replaced MAF sensor
• Replaced Coolant Temperature Sensor

The story is as follows.....The car was running fine, smooth, low idle, everything was great.

I had a battery installed and then decided that I wanted to change the spark plugs, fuel filter and PVC Valve.

I had a local backyard mechanic install the spark plugs, I assisted him to a certain extent because he had to remove the intake manifold. We got everything done and hooked everything back together correctly but the CEL came on and the idle was at 2000rpms. There was a whining sound also.

The whining sound went away when I replaced the MAF sensor. The high idle remained and there is also a slight rumble when I cut the car off that comes from the exhaust. The exhaust is very minor. I am concerned about the CEL.

When I had the diagnostic done the first time I got the following codes.

P0171
P0100
P0110
P0125

After I replaced the MAF sensor I only had 2 codes coming up. Which were.

P0125 ---Clsd loop fuel control insufficient coolant temperature

P0171---System too lean

I have not checked it to see what codes I have since I replaced the coolant temperature sensor.

Is there anything that could have went wrong while doing the spark plugs? I have tried the spray of starter fluid around the hoses and it does give a very slight idle when I spray around the throttle body area and the intake hose. Very slight though. Btw, that is a new intake hose I replaced also, I saw one at the junkyard so I figured I would try that while I was at it.

I have read about the TPS and many other sensors but my problem is that, they were working before I installed the spark plugs and pcv, the spark plugs and pcv must have caused something else to go or just the reassembly of the intake and all the hoses, etc.


Opinions and advice is greatly appreciated. I really dislike taking my higher mileage vehicles to shops but its going to be headed there on Monday morning if I cannot remedy this by then.

Thanks everyone,

Stockmover

 

[ShawnM]

The key is it was fine untill you removed the intake to do the spark plugs. What you are describing screams vacuum leak. Its hard to identify a vacuum leak with carb cleaner or starter fluid when the engine is already racing at 2K rpm. Easiest thing to do is double check the intake gasket area or take it to a shop that can smoke check the intake for leaks.

 

[BlueFusion6851]

I would say take it to a dealership you trust and have them check it out.

 

[bronzemaxell]

i was able to replace all spark plugs on 94 v6 without removal of intake plenum,
from the symptom, it does sound like the high idle caused by a vacuum leak somewhere.
it could be from the vacuum hoese like misplug somewhere, or loose, it could be from the intake plenum gasket (i hope u didn't re-use the old one), throttle body gasket, EGR valve pipe gaskets.

if there is an air leak, too much air, will cause the engine to run lean.

 

[stockmover]

Thanks ShawnM,

I do know I didn't replace the intake gasket. Is this what I need to do? I called Autozone and its $65. Is that correct, sounds high for a part like that. I was thinking it has to be something with the intake I removed.Any other advice? I believe everything else should be fairly visible.

Thanks,

Stockmover

The key is it was fine untill you removed the intake to do the spark plugs. What you are describing screams vacuum leak. Its hard to identify a vacuum leak with carb cleaner or starter fluid when the engine is already racing at 2K rpm. Easiest thing to do is double check the intake gasket area or take it to a shop that can smoke check the intake for leaks.

 

[ShawnM]

You need the upper plenum gasket, not the intake gasket.

 

[bronzemaxell]

the intake plenum gasket is around $10 part last time i bought from online dealer
i would also suggest getting the two of the $0.70 EGR valve gaskets, throttle body gaskets, if you take that apart as well.

and inspect the rear bank for valve cover gasket leak,
while you are at it, only take a couple more 10mm bolts to remove the valve cover and change the valve cover gasket, like $10-$15 parts, but it is labor intensive when it leaks later where u will have to repeat the exercise again.

 

[stockmover]

I keep hearing about everyone who has changed theirs without removing the intake plenum. I decided not to do it because of risking the corss thread of the spark plugs. It seemed to be mixed as to owners who did or did not remove the plenum.

Unfortunately, I did re-use the old gasket. I just did not know any better. I will take it as a lesson learned for the next time. I plan to buy all of the gaskets and have a shop put all of this stuff back on correctly.

More updates to come.

i was able to replace all spark plugs on 94 v6 without removal of intake plenum,
from the symptom, it does sound like the high idle caused by a vacuum leak somewhere.
it could be from the vacuum hoese like misplug somewhere, or loose, it could be from the intake plenum gasket (i hope u didn't re-use the old one), throttle body gasket, EGR valve pipe gaskets.

if there is an air leak, too much air, will cause the engine to run lean.

 

[jb8402]

Does sound like intake plenum leak. Or maybe not torqued correctly? I reused my gasket but applied a small amount of black RTV. The gasket looks like it is steel, and autozone wanted almost $70.00 for a new one. Where I went wrong is not replacing the Valve cover gaskets on a used JDM engine I bought. A project for this weekend along with my speed sensor problem.

 

[jb8402]

i was able to replace all spark plugs on 94 v6 without removal of intake plenum

How the hell did u do this? I can see no way to get the coils off the top of the rear spark plugs without removing the plenum. I'm curious. Maybe you know something we don't.

 

[ROBS]

Thanks ShawnM,

I do know I didn't replace the intake gasket. Is this what I need to do? I called Autozone and its $65. Is that correct, sounds high for a part like that. I was thinking it has to be something with the intake I removed.Any other advice? I believe everything else should be fairly visible.

Thanks,

Stockmover

Dude, I've been telling you to do this since the problem started. Remember to use the black Permatex aviation "Form-A-Gasket" (A light even coat on both mating surfaces). Use a torque wrench and tighten the bolts to spec in a criss-cross pattern. Don't bother going to a shop, you can do a better job on your own if you take your time.

 

[bronzemaxell]

How the hell did u do this? I can see no way to get the coils off the top of the rear spark plugs without removing the plenum. I'm curious. Maybe you know something we don't.

there are many diy for v6 spark plugs and horror stories if you do a search on this forum


you may find out more info on this link


http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=182141&highlight=change+spark+plug



http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=176372&highlight=change+spark+plug

 

[stockmover]

Permatex form-a-gasket

Should I use the form a gasket permatex on just the plenum part? I assume to buy the TB gasket and any others needed.

I do remember you mentioning this before, but there has been so much feedback and replies on the situation I got confused. I see the permatex is stocked at Autozone.


Thanks Again,

Stockmover

Dude, I've been telling you to do this since the problem started. Remember to use the black Permatex aviation "Form-A-Gasket" (A light even coat on both mating surfaces). Use a torque wrench and tighten the bolts to spec in a criss-cross pattern. Don't bother going to a shop, you can do a better job on your own if you take your time.

 

[stockmover]

Called around and the parts will cost the following:

Throttle Body Gasket $2.68
Plenum Gasket $15.48
EGR Gasket $7.16
Valve cover gasket $19.98

Total $45.30+tax

Sounds like I have myself a nice weekend project for under $50.

 

[bronzemaxell]

Called around and the parts will cost the following:

Throttle Body Gasket $2.68
Plenum Gasket $15.48
EGR Gasket $7.16
Valve cover gasket $19.98

Total $45.30+tax

Sounds like I have myself a nice weekend project for under $50.

are these autozone part or dealer part?

i bought genuine toyota oem parts from www.toyotaoemparts.com

egr valve gaskets like $0.70 each, need two of them
valve cover gasket like $10 each,
intake plenum gasket like $10 or $15
tb gasket like $3

 

[BMR]

How the hell did u do this? I can see no way to get the coils off the top of the rear spark plugs without removing the plenum. I'm curious. Maybe you know something we don't.

The V6 used from '92 to '94 is the 3VZ-FE, which doesn't have the coils on top of the spark plugs. I've done the plugs both ways on mine. Without removing the plenum, I have to use an assortment of extensions and a U-joint to get two of the plugs in the rear bank, but it's do-able.

 

[jb8402]

My Camry is actually dated 10-93, but has the 1MZFE V6 engine, coils on top. Hope we're not mixing advice for different engines, confusing the guy, lol.

 

[BMR]

Oh YEAH!... You're right! I re-looked at Stockmover's initial post, and in his sig line he says his '94 has the 3MZ motor....

AH!... after looking it up on Wikipedia, I see they switched in '94, so the 3VZ was used for only '92 and '93. (JB8402, I'm guessing your 10-93 date is when it was built?)

OK, so how DO you get the rear plugs out on the 3MZ without pulling the plenum??? I'd like to know because I've got an Avalon with that motor. I haven't even looked at it yet to see how they come off.

...oh, and sorry for the thread highjacking Stockmover!

 

[jb8402]

Yea, was build 10-93, is 94 model.

 

[stockmover]

I have the 1MFZE engine. I am positive on that. I am headed to Sears to buy a nice tool set for this project.

Projects starts tomorrow afternoon.

Later,

Stockmover

Oh YEAH!... You're right! I re-looked at Stockmover's initial post, and in his sig line he says his '94 has the 3MZ motor....

AH!... after looking it up on Wikipedia, I see they switched in '94, so the 3VZ was used for only '92 and '93. (JB8402, I'm guessing your 10-93 date is when it was built?)

OK, so how DO you get the rear plugs out on the 3MZ without pulling the plenum??? I'd like to know because I've got an Avalon with that motor. I haven't even looked at it yet to see how they come off.

...oh, and sorry for the thread highjacking Stockmover!