Hey all.. thanks for reading this. I know there have been a ton of posts in this NG about Camry vibration, and I've read as many as I could find but I've still got the problem. So here goes my rant:
94 Camry LE 4-cyl 167k milesThe car vibrates at idle (like at a traffic light) ALOT. Vibration almost completey ceases if I shift it up into neutral or park. It doesn't vibrate during driving at any speed. It only vibrates at idle.. as soon as I hit the gas, vibration's gone. Also, the vibration is MUCH more severe during colder weather.
*replacements I've made recently:* radiator & radiator cap (~6 months ago) dog bone mount (it was cracked) front mount (hydraulic, aftermarket) spark plugs (NGK) wires (Xact) distributor cap distributor (reman.) rotor fuel filter (i know toyota says you dont ever need to replace it, but what the hell) air filter*repairs:* wheel balance & rotation & tire pressure adjustment removed & cleaned throttle body (including spraying carb cleaner in the IAC valve hole as described in several posts here) oil change using DuraLube & valvoline high mileage 10w-30 & PureONE filter
*planned repairs/replacements:* valve cover gasket gas & oil capshad my timing checked at the dealer, said it was fine. I've used Redline intermittently several months ago, am considering using it again as I'm quickly running out of affordable options.
a DIY techie friend of mine told me about a method to clean the fuel injectors. he described pulling one of the vacuum hoses that feeds into the throttle body and pouring fuel injector cleaning into it. he said i'd have to rev the engine up to 2-3k to get it to work through. the cleaner "Seafoam" describes a similar process (pouring it into a vacuum). Any ever try this, or have any luck with it? My check engine light has never come on. The car drives smoothly, accelerates without hestitation, doesnt make too much noise.
So finally heres my list of annoying questions for you infinitly patient people :>
I read a couple posts about people pinpointing the problem to their exhaust. Is is possible that a loose/worn/ whatever something in my exhaust can cause the entire engine and car to vibrate at idle? But then it goes away when I shift up into Neutral. I've used fuel injector cleaner in the gas tank before, prior to using Redline (which, BTW, i think did make some noticeable improvement). Would it be worth doing a fuel system cleaning at a shop? Would I be better off pulling the injectors out myself and cleaning them outside the engine since all the shops do inline cleaning only? I've never replaced my O2 sensors. Can I check them somehow? Could they cause vibration? I ask only because the vibration seems to be worse in colder weather, so I think its because of some air-related component. I did a quick (not too thorough) inspection of my vacuum hoses, and they seem to be working according to my Haynes manual. Any possibility that the vibration could be caused by something up around there? Another friend of mine said its the "torque converter" in the transmission. I've never heard of this before but he seemed very confident about it. He does all his own car work and said his sister's car had the same problem. Anyone ever hear of this?
any opinions/ideas/suggestions/criticisms even flames are more than welcome.
-elric-