2000 Toyota Camry High Idling 5S-FE

[lorakew]

I've been having this problem since I bought this car used about 5 years ago. Every time i start my car, the engine idles at 1060, and then over 5 minutes the high idle will start to calm down to normal. Also when i start the car, i see a bit of white smoke come out from the exhaust pipe.

I have changed the Idle Air Control, and the problem still persists. The smoke still comes from the exhaust at start-up. I do my own oil changes at regular intervals and i have even switched to synthetic oil in hopes that it will help with the white smoke problem... Nothing has helped so far.

Does any one have any ideas about the high idling? My engine throws a P401 code, so do you think the high idling has to do with replacing my EGR VSV? I shouldn't have to wait 5 minutes every morning for my car to warm up and the high idling to calm down.

Does the high idling have anything to do with the white smoke?

[xfeejayx]

Does the idle drop down to below 1000 when you put the car into gear?

Your high idle seems fairly normal to me. I know my 98 idled high when turned on, and others in the forum have noted that their car will idle higher and take longer to shift when cold. This is the engine making an attempt to warm itself up.

A small bit of white smoke is nothing to worry about as long as its only at startup or when the engine or weather is cold. The smoke is probably just the result of condensation. If it does it constantly or once warmed up, then you might have a problem.

[Brian R.]

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=894165

[Mike Gerber]

Also check the engine coolant temperature sensor (Toyota calls it an ECT sensor in their manuals) for being out of range. Check it when the engine is cold. You will need a digital volt/ohmeter and the specs from any manual for this test.

Mike

[solidg]

The CEL is your clue

fix the code issue

that should resolve yout prob

[jdmccright]

The high-idle condition is normal during cold-startup and is not related to your CEL code. The PCM will do this to ensure that fluids are moving and get them warmed up quickly. This does not mean you have to wait the 5 minutes before you can drive. You can wait long enough to ensure that there are no warning lights on the dash and then drive away slowly. The car's fluids will warm up faster when you're driving versus sitting still at idle...and will contribute to better fuel economy. I only say to drive away slowly because there are other fluids that are not circulated by the engine and pumps and thus are only churned up by actual vehicle movement. Doing so will reduce wear in those areas until the fluid/lubricant film is restored.

The white smoke described could be either condensation as mentioned already (most likely) or engine coolant. Exhausted coolant will have a sweet smell and could indicate a failing head gasket. Being it is a 2000, I find it unlikely unless some major engine work was done on it with or without your knowledge. It also has no relationship with your high idle.

Here is a post I found on testing and replacing the VSV for EGR for the 2.2L for your gen Camry:

http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forum...2-2l-2001-vsv/

Hope this helps! Good luck!