problem with 2007 hybrid camry that no one can ssem to diagnose???? Can you help???

[culinaryqueen]

2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 87,000 miles

Over the past 4 years I have had 3 dealerships look into the following issues with no success. Originally at roughly 12,000 miles I noticed a slight knocking sound and engine shutter/car wobble when the car was initially started and the engine was cold. The shutter and knocking only lasted 5 seconds or so and only occurred when the engine first switched from electric mode to hybrid mode as indicated on the dash indicators. This problem was VERY seldom, I would say less than 4 times that year. I took it into the dealership each time this occurred but they were unable to reproduce the problem but did document it for me.
Gradually as the car has aged and the mileage increased so has the frequency and severity of the issue. The problem has become so severe that now it is shuttering and knocking at 80% of the start ups regardless if the engine is hot or cold (severity is worse however, when engine is cold) and it even does it sometime when idling at a red light or in traffic now. To make matters worse I had the routine 90,000 mile maintenance (i have done all manufacture suggested maintenance to date) done 8 weeks ago and immediately following that I noticed the car failing to drop back into hybrid mode when idling. Sometimes it won't drop into hybrid
at all during a drive and others times it seems to be fine. This culminated with me bringing the car in 6 weeks ago and leaving it at the dealership for two weeks to diagnose and fix the issue. I was able to duplicate the issue while in the car with their highest ranking tech and I was able to find a TSB report describing a similar issue on non-hybrid 6 cyl Camrys. After having the car for several days and looking into the report they called and said they believed that there was something going wrong with the trans-axle........etc. So they replaced the entire transmission at no charge to me, even though I am out of warranty and do not have an extended warranty. Then upon starting the engine at the dealership to drive it home the same old shutter/knocking happened again.....although this time must less severe. So the service writer suggested that the new transmission need to be "broken in" and to give it some time and that it may get better. So here I am 6 weeks later and the problem is still the same and to make matters worse yesterday my A/C started blowing HOT air after sitting in traffic on the interstate stopped in traffic for over an hour and a half with my infant in the car. I had to pull over and call someone to help. Then upon restarting the car the A/C was cold again. I have never had any A/C issues in the past as a matter of fact the car has always been too cold!


Please, i hope that someone can help me come up with some answers. [/color]

[jdmccright]

First off, Welcome to AF!

A momentary stutter or roughness after startup that goes away sounds like there is something leaking into one of the engine's cylinders and fouling up the plug. Usually oil leaking past a valve stem seal. As a result, the plug can't spark easily until the oil is burned away. Oddly, this is usually what happens on a car with over 100k miles or more. But with Toyota quality in question, it may be possible.

Another possibility is a fuel injector that is stuck open and leaking fuel into a cylinder. Similar result. I think I'll put my money on this one since the oil seal leak is very rare for this new a car.

You (or the dealer) should be able to remove the spark plugs and see which one is fouling...best done when it is cold so that you can catch the leak. Just look for a plug that is wet with something...oil, gas, etc.

Hope this helps!