1987 Camry stalls, hard start sometimes

[chicagoareastuff]

Hi,
I have an 87 camry, 4 cyl. stick shift. 215,000 miles.
The car runs great, 90 percent of the time. sometimes it won't start. when you turn the key it just cranks and cranks. when you release the key it kind of diesels for a second or two. then a puff of smoke comes out the front of the car (the air intake). I can try for a long time before it will start, and it allways runs on for a second after i release the key. I can usually get it started but it could take 15 min. It makes no diffrence if i crank it 2 seconds or 20 seconds, same little run on but dies, and a very small puff of smoke.
But I can roll down a hill ( I live in Chicago suburbs and the hills are
very small) put it in second gear, pop the clutch, it coughs a couple times and then fires right up, but it wants to stall. It feels like i am in the wrong gear, (it bucks like i am in 3rd but should be in 2nd gear)I have to play with the clutch to keep it running, it will start to stall, i will push in the clutch and leave gas where it was, slowly let off the clutch and it is running fine. If i give it too much gas to fast it does the same thing untill the RPM's are above 2500 - 3000 (only a guess at the RPM's i don't have a tach).
Sometime while driving it (usually after a stop when taking off ) it dies.
I have found that if I push in the clutch and give it gas it usualy comes
back around, or if I am going fast enough put the gas pedal to the floor it pops of like it does rolling down the hill.

Out side temp, engine temp, wet, dry has no effect as it has done it at
different temps and not done it, same is true of wet, dry etc. It also gets 29.2 MPG
Anyone have any ideas, I have checked for code and got none.

Thanks in advance

Chuck

[Brian R.]

Please post maintenance you've done on fuel and ignition.

[fredbros72]

possible distributor problems, next time it has a problem get some help and check for spark. may need distributor, or just coil pack, coil could be cracked,

[chicagoareastuff]

I have put new wires cap, rotor, spark plugs.
Thanks for the help!

[Brian R.]

Originally Posted by chicagoareastuff

I have put new wires cap, rotor, spark plugs.
Thanks for the help!

Did replacing those things solve the problem?

[chicagoareastuff]

no. no change at all

[Brian R.]

I would bring it to a mechanic who can scope the ignition. If nothing is wrong, check fuel flow and pressure. If nothing wrong, clean injectors.

[yotatechie04]

I'm thinking that it is most likely a fuel system problem. Just as Brian R. said, either you, or have someone who knows how to check the flow in the system, and system pressure. It couldn't hurt to clean the injectors (possibly replace), change the fuel filter, and check the pump/sending unit. Best of luck to you, hope you get it fixed. Post back and let us know about your progress.