1989 Camry

[douglas41]

Hi,
I actually posted before but I'll just start over. My 1989 4cyl camry started to lurch upon accelerating at stop lights. It then began lurching at high speeds and misfiring at idle only at operating temperature. I took it in to the mechanic and he said it needed a compression check and a tune-up (it also is leaking oil from the o-ring of the distributor cap and valve gasket). I had replaced the air filter, wires, dis. cap, and plugs about 30,000 miles ago and less than two years ago. So I replaced the bosch platinum spark plugs w just cheap autolite plugs and the air filter. One of the plugs had oil on it when I pulled it (I know I split oil there earlier). However, the car ran great for about 3 trips around town. Then, same symptoms. I just did a compression check it was 150psi across the board, there was a little puff of smoke from the valve that had oil in it. Also, there was some oil on one of the spark plugs but significantly less than the first time. When I put the spark plugs back in, the car ran great for about 20min. The first symptom is that it stutters when you slam the accelerator down from a stop (okay if you gradually put the gas on). Then the 2nd is the misfiring at idle. The third is the lurching at speed. Any info would be appreciated.

[jdmccright]

Sounds like it needs the TB cleaned to cure the lurching and throttle sticking. Also clean the IAC, PCV, and EGR valves to help with hesitation. Finally, clean the cap and rotor contacts of built-up oxidation and inspect for cracks or carbon tracks. This would help your rough idle.

Seafoam is a good product to use...pour it into the gas, oil (ideally shortly before a change), and through the main vacuum line to the brake booster (go to the stickie at the top of this forum and search for the instructions). Chevron Techron treatment is another reputable product around here, but to me Seafoam does more since you are using it in different systems. Good luck!

[Mike Gerber]

If what jdmccright suggested doesn't help the situation, next check the coil for being out of spec and also check it for hairline cracks. The coil is a known problem area for the first 3 generations of Camry, especially on high mileage cars.

Mike

[Mail Clerk]

Originally Posted by Mike Gerber

If what jdmccright suggested doesn't help the situation, next check the coil for being out of spec and also check it for hairline cracks. The coil is a known problem area for the first 3 generations of Camry, especially on high mileage cars.

Mike

Mike,

I'll note your suggestion cux my 89' has the same symtoms BUT in a much smaller way. Mine lurches slightly when coming to a stop. My coil hasn't been changes since bought new in 89 so perhaps this is an easy repair for me. I had thought it was the transmission. My current mileage is 237K

Mail Clerk