1998 Toyota Avalon

[Elaine5431]

As long as I can remember, the check engine light would come on when I would reach speed between 30 & 40. The car would seem to stall at that speed like it is stuck and in a few minutes it would kick in and increase speed. It happens only once in a while and then not for 3 or 4 months. I had the car check out and the mechanic said the wire under the spark plug is the problem. When I took it in to be fixed, he said the car was fine. It keeps happening. The shop were I had it check out is no longer in business. In the past when the check engine light lit, it would stay on for a couple of days. Now it comes on and as soon as the car starts to regain speed, it goes off. Has anyone had this problem? I heard a lot about the oil sludge problem and wonder if that is my problem. I have had my car serviced regularly. I have 80,300 miles on it. I am wondering if I would just trade it in and get another car as I am afraid I will cause an accident. Would love to hear from someone. Thanks

[Clint7]

Have you checked with your Toyota Dealer concerning a Recall on the oil sludge problem? I just bought a 1998 Avalon and I was told that the bottom half of the engine was replaced by Toyota because of a recall concerning the sludge problem.

[Elaine5431]

Originally Posted by Clint7

Have you checked with your Toyota Dealer concerning a Recall on the oil sludge problem? I just bought a 1998 Avalon and I was told that the bottom half of the engine was replaced by Toyota because of a recall concerning the sludge problem.

Hi Cllint,
I have heard about the sludge problem. I will take your advice and check with Toyota. Thank you for taking the time to respond. I will let you know what I find out from the dealer.

Elaine

[CupCate18]

Any luck with Avalon yet? The car is a great car and really worth keeping. If you trade it in, you would probably get an extremely low offer. It is generally worth much more than any dealer will offer you. If it is the recall that is the problem, the car is definitely worth keeping, and getting Toyota to fix the sludge issue.

[Brian R.]

Your problem sounds more like an ignition problem than a sludge problem. Get the ignition checked. If you wish to do it yourself, just ask.

[Elaine5431]

Originally Posted by CupCate18

Any luck with Avalon yet? The car is a great car and really worth keeping. If you trade it in, you would probably get an extremely low offer. It is generally worth much more than any dealer will offer you. If it is the recall that is the problem, the car is definitely worth keeping, and getting Toyota to fix the sludge issue.

Hi,
I took my car to a mechanic and he said the wires under the spark plugs were bad because the valve cover gaskets were leaking. He replaced the wires and the sparks plugs and fix the valve cover gasket. He said the oil from the valve cover leaked on the wires. When I picked up my car it ran really good. The second day the check engine light came on. I call the mechanic and he said he replaced everything with toyota parts so he didn't know why it came on. I brought it back and he said he went over the repairs again and everything was good. On the way home the check engine light came on again. He said that the timing belt needs to be replace and seals. The car is running good. However, Saturday I had to go to Rancho Santa Margarita about 25 miles from my home. I had the air conditioner on. It ran fine while I was on the freeway but when I was driving up a hill it seemed to run ruff. It was hard to increase speed. So I don't know if I should go ahead and have the additional repairs done, timing belt and seals.

Like you said it is a good car and I won't get anything for it from a dealer. I would like to keep it if it will be a dependable car. Any thoughts from you will be appreciated.

Thanks so much,
Elaine

[Elaine5431]

Originally Posted by Brian R.

Your problem sounds more like an ignition problem than a sludge problem. Get the ignition checked. If you wish to do it yourself, just ask.

Hi Brian,
I haven't checked out the ignition yet. Had the plugs, wires under the plugs replace & the valve cover gasket fixed. It is running good but the check engine light came on. The mechanic said he fixed everything. He said the timing belt needs to be replaced and seals. I still don't know why the check engine light came on.

Elaine

[Elaine5431]

Originally Posted by Elaine5431

Hi Brian,
I haven't checked out the ignition yet. Had the plugs, wires under the plugs replace & the valve cover gasket fixed. It is running good but the check engine light came on. The mechanic said he fixed everything. He said the timing belt needs to be replaced and seals. I still don't know why the check engine light came on.

Elaine

You mentioned that I could check out the ignition myself. How would I do that? My knowledge on auto repair is very limited.

Elaine

[Elaine5431]

I had my Avalon check out and found that the check engine code is P0325 which said to check connector and wiring to sensor or the knock senor is defective. I had the valve cover gasket replaced, wires under the spark plug replace, and replaced the spark plugs. To replace the knock senor will cost just over $1,000 quoted by the dealer. I need to replace the timing belt and fan belts. I was also told to replace the water pump at the same time.

Any advice as to what to do? Is it a good idea to put all that money in a 1998 vehicle? Any advise will be appreciated.

Thanks,
Elaine

[Elaine5431]

Originally Posted by Brian R.

Your problem sounds more like an ignition problem than a sludge problem. Get the ignition checked. If you wish to do it yourself, just ask.

Hi Brian,
You are correct it was the ignition coil. I had the ignition coil replaced and the car is running good. Total cost $230.00. Much better than the $1,000. to replace the knock sensor quoted by the dealer. I feel so much better knowing that my car is "better" now. Thanks

Elaine (

[Brian R.]

You're welcome. If you still get the P0325 code, it is much more likely to be the wiring or a bad/loose connection to the knock sensor than the sensor itself.

[Elaine5431]

Originally Posted by Brian R.

You're welcome. If you still get the P0325 code, it is much more likely to be the wiring or a bad/loose connection to the knock sensor than the sensor itself.

Hello again,
Well the check engine light came on yesterday. So back to the mechanic this morning. He said when the valve cover gasket was replaced the mechanic may have knocked the wiring loose. That is be best case! Worse would be the knock sensor is bad and needs to be replaced. So more to follow...........

Elaine

[Brian R.]

Knock sensors almost never die. They are really sturdy. To prove it's quality, check for continuity between the connection and the body. There should be no continuity (infinite resistance) between these points.

[Elaine5431]

Originally Posted by Brian R.

Knock sensors almost never die. They are really sturdy. To prove it's quality, check for continuity between the connection and the body. There should be no continuity (infinite resistance) between these points.

Never say never because mine died. The mechanic called and said they failed the test. So since avalon's have two, the total came to $898. ouch!!! They are selling for $220 in CA.

Elaine

[Brian R.]

They both died? Someone is fooling someone...

I would not go to that mechanic any more.