Car trouble (1994 toyota supra)

[Whipper Snapper]

Ok, very odd thing happened.
Let the car sit for a while because we didn't have time to get to it.
After about a week of doing nothing it all, it ran like it normally does (with the exception of the gasoline still smelling a bit rich.)
no black smoke. no power loss. Just a low idle.

Reset the ecu and we replaced the fuel filter. The filter we replaced was completely full of junk (Again).
Apparently my gas tank is full of crap.

The ticking noise is gone.
I'm gonna keep driving it around to see if it happens again...
I'll keep you all posted.

[SvilleKid]

Originally Posted by Tecnorobo

Ok, very odd thing happened.
Let the car sit for a while because we didn't have time to get to it.
After about a week of doing nothing it all, it ran like it normally does (with the exception of the gasoline still smelling a bit rich.)
no black smoke. no power loss. Just a low idle.

Reset the ecu and we replaced the fuel filter. The filter we replaced was completely full of junk (Again).
Apparently my gas tank is full of crap.

The ticking noise is gone.
I'm gonna keep driving it around to see if it happens again...
I'll keep you all posted.

Question: Do you remember the weather when it started acting up? reason I ask, I've just decided the mis-fire I'm getting periodically in my truck is rain related. I'm thinking I have a stopped-up drain below my windshield that is allowing rain water to overflow, filling the spark-plug well with water, and drowning out that plug wire. That misfire results in heavy gas smell in the exhaust, bad gas mileage, rough running. But several days later, with dry weather, it straightens up completely.

Possible you are having something similar??

[Whipper Snapper]

Originally Posted by SvilleKid

Question: Do you remember the weather when it started acting up? reason I ask, I've just decided the mis-fire I'm getting periodically in my truck is rain related. I'm thinking I have a stopped-up drain below my windshield that is allowing rain water to overflow, filling the spark-plug well with water, and drowning out that plug wire. That misfire results in heavy gas smell in the exhaust, bad gas mileage, rough running. But several days later, with dry weather, it straightens up completely.

Possible you are having something similar??

It was dry outside I believe.
Also dry outside today when I went driving.

No black smoke. No power loss.
However, the idle is severely low when at a stand still and the car will die. Even when I'm braking, the car will die if I don't keep my foot on the accelerator. This of course is a problem, as the transmission slips through the down shifts when I do this (it's an automatic). And of course, it's really annoying. We're going to play with the idle tomorrow after I print off some diagrams.

Still not sure what's going on here, but I'm under the impression it's computer related.
I'll keep you all posted.

[SvilleKid]

Originally Posted by Tecnorobo

It was dry outside I believe.
Also dry outside today when I went driving.

No black smoke. No power loss.
However, the idle is severely low when at a stand still and the car will die. Even when I'm braking, the car will die if I don't keep my foot on the accelerator. This of course is a problem, as the transmission slips through the down shifts when I do this (it's an automatic). And of course, it's really annoying. We're going to play with the idle tomorrow after I print off some diagrams.

Still not sure what's going on here, but I'm under the impression it's computer related.
I'll keep you all posted.

Fuel injected? with computer (probably)? May not be able to adjust the idle. Maybe can. I've had them where the computer would override the small amount of adjustments many systems allow!

Have you checked the throttle flap inside the tube at the intake? My pathfinder has a periodic need to have that area cleaned. It gets gummy, and there are a couple of small holes in that area (on the pathfinder) that get the "gummy" film covering them, and that really screws with the idle rpm and the low rpm power. I end up cleaning this area about every two years (when it was a daily driver). Be warned, though, some manufactures (Ford is one) warn about cleaning these areas, stating that there is special coatings for these surfaces. My 1997 ford warned of this. Cleaned it any way, and haven't had any problems from it. in the event you clean it, gasoline works about as well as anything, and since gasoline is what the basic gumming is caused from, gasoline has less chance of causing damage (though, obviously, using gasoline as a cleaner has heavy risks involved!). Personally, I've always used carburetor cleaner without issue.

Might be worth a try. Just take care NOT to touch or damage the mass-air sensor that is located inside the ductwork! very expensive to repair. Good luck!

[JaKaacH]

Originally Posted by SvilleKid

Fuel injected? with computer (probably)? May not be able to adjust the idle. Maybe can. I've had them where the computer would override the small amount of adjustments many systems allow!

Have you checked the throttle flap inside the tube at the intake? My pathfinder has a periodic need to have that area cleaned. It gets gummy, and there are a couple of small holes in that area (on the pathfinder) that get the "gummy" film covering them, and that really screws with the idle rpm and the low rpm power. I end up cleaning this area about every two years (when it was a daily driver). Be warned, though, some manufactures (Ford is one) warn about cleaning these areas, stating that there is special coatings for these surfaces. My 1997 ford warned of this. Cleaned it any way, and haven't had any problems from it. in the event you clean it, gasoline works about as well as anything, and since gasoline is what the basic gumming is caused from, gasoline has less chance of causing damage (though, obviously, using gasoline as a cleaner has heavy risks involved!). Personally, I've always used carburetor cleaner without issue.

Might be worth a try. Just take care NOT to touch or damage the mass-air sensor that is located inside the ductwork! very expensive to repair. Good luck!

My Bonneville would have a slight rough and slow idle, plus the SES light.
The SES code showed Mass Air flow sensor problem. Before spending $130.00 for a new one I bought some Mass AIr flow sensor cleaner($7.00) and used it. So far so good, no more idle problems or SES light, all gummy gunk removed.
This Cleaner is suppose to be safe for fragile electronics in that area.