87 camry wont start

[bamboo_28]

We used an engine cleaner and cleaned the engine, now the darn thing wont start. It turns over and sounds like it wants to start, once we release it makes a noise like a dry cough. Anyone have any idea as to what may have happened?

[Mike Gerber]

I assume you washed everything off with water. You probably got some water in/around the distributor cap and it's wires or down in the spark plug wells. Get a hair dryer and take off the distributor cap and rotor and dry everything inside the distributor and the underside of the cap. Also, dry along the length of the spark plug wires. Then pull the plug wires off the plugs and make sure the wells at the bottom are dry. You may need a small flashlight for this. If wet, again dry the area with the hair dryer. Once the car starts, take it for a ride so the warmth of the engine will complete the drying. Alternatively, you could just leave the car in the sun with the hood open. The water will eventually evaporate and eventually the car will start.

The symptom you are describing gives an indication you need to replace the distributor cap and wires (they are a 1 piece unit on this car) and the rotor. Also, it probably needs a new coil. This is a very common occurance on this generation Camry (87-91 3SFE engine). A hairline crack developes in the coil inside the distributor and when there is water present or dampness in the air on a rainy day, the coil shorts itself to ground on any metal inside the distributor. That's why the first thing I suggested was taking off the distributor cap and rotor and drying everything inside the distributor with the hair dryer.

Good luck with the problem.

Mike

[dylanger]

hey, i did what the reply stated. it rained. i used a hair dryer due to having somewhere to be. Well I hooked everything back up. hooked the vaccum back up, and well the pressure keeps blowing the hose off. I don't know why. Could it be having the plugs on wrong? or is there a BIGGER problem?

[Mike Gerber]

What hose are you talking about?

Mike

[dylanger]

Originally Posted by Mike Gerber

What hose are you talking about?

Mike

The Vaccum Hose is what I am talking about. It seems to Backfire, well makes a noise like that( a loud pop) then it kills. sometimes it does this while I attempt to turn it over.

[Brian R.]

Welcome to the AF!

In order for anyone to give you useful advise, you will have to tell us what year car and what engine you are talking about. In this case, since you probably have 10 vacuum hoses on your engine, you need to be very specific on what vacuum hose you are talking about also.

It is useful to re-read your post before you submit it to see if someone who has no idea what you are talking about can understand your problem.

[Mike Gerber]

What Brian said. We are trying to help, but you need to be more specific about which vacuum hose. Do you have a digital camera? Can you take a picture and post it?

Your profile says you have an 87 Camry. I believe only the 4 cylinder 3SFE engine was available for that year.

Mike

[dylanger]

Yes my car is a 87 toyota camry station wagon. The vaccum hose i am talking about is the one that runs from the air filter to the engine. When i try to start the car, it seems as if it is going to turn over but then the vaccum hose i was talking about pops off and makes a sound like the car backfired and then the engine kills. I am wondering if maybe i have any of the cables on the distributor backwards or in the wrong place.
i hope this helps... i dont know how much more detail i can go into, seeing as to how i am pretty stumped on whats wrong with it myself.

[Brian R.]

Try replacing the distributor cap and rotor. Maybe you have traces in the cap causing cross-firing.

[Mike Gerber]

That really isn't a vacuum hose, but a feed of metered air from the air flow meter leading in to the throttle body. That hose should have substantial clamps on both ends of it. Put the hose back on and try tightening the clamps with a slotted screwdriver or a 10MM wrench or nut driver. That hose must be on for the car to run properly. If it's falling right off, unmetered air is entering in to the throttle body and the ECM (computer) can not monitor the air and therefore compensate properly for it. Put it back on and tighten the clamps; then try to start the car. My guess is it will now start.

If it still won't start then do what Brian said about replacing the distributor cap and rotor. Remember, the distributor cap on this engine is integral with the spark plug wires. There are 2 or 3 10MM screws holding the cap on. One is at the 6 o'clock positon and can be a pain to get to, so if your are not comfortable replacing this yourself, get someone with more knowledge to help you.

Good luck.

MIke