1989 CAMRY DLX. LACK OF POWER IN LOW RPMS

Avatar
T6RIVALS
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
1989 Toyota Camry DLX v6 208,000miles. The car has a huge lack of power in low RPMs. Starting from a stop is a very drawn out ordeal and is starting to make me think i'll get T-boned crossing an intersections soon. Once the car is up to speed it seems ok, but any time i hit the gas to speed up there just isn't any power. I have a couple educated guesses on what's might be causing this, but they're still just guesses. What is your expert addvice?
Apr 11, 2007 at 7:17 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
STRAILER
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 55,561 POSTS
Hey T6RIVALS,

This is a classic symptom of a timing belt that has jumped one tooth on the crankshaft.

Have you had the timing belt changed lately?

Please let us know happens so it will help others.

Best, Ken
Dec 15, 2016 at 9:19 AM
Avatar
T6RIVALS
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I just bought a 88 toyota camry dlx. The car drives fine once it's up to about 15 mph, but starting from a stop or any time it's in the low end RPMs it has a big lack of power. The fuel filter is new, i havn't had the chance to check the spark plugs, but the firing order is corect as well. There is a lot of sputter and a little bit of back fire when you hit the gas, but like i said, once its going it's fine. It's just when you're accelerating that it has trouble. My only other thoughts would be the timing or the fuel/air mixture. I removed the air filter from the intake and the car stalled as if were getting to much air and not enough fuel. That's why i changed the fuel filter. It helped, but it still does lack the power it should have.

Assuming that it is the timing or the fuel/air mixture how would i make the adjustments? I'm not sure if the distributor cap can be turned like other cars to adjust the timing or not, and i would have no clue how to change the amount of air going into it.

88 toyota camry dlx
v6
208,000 miles
There is no smoke, knocks, ticks or any other noises indicating that the motor is bad. Just the lack of power in low end.

Please help.

Thanx.
Dec 15, 2016 at 9:20 AM (Merged)
Avatar
DAWN27
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Try checking fuel pressure regulator, located on fuel rail. It has a single small vacuum line connected to the manifold. Just a hunch....
Dec 15, 2016 at 9:20 AM (Merged)
Avatar
RASMATAZ
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 75,988 POSTS
Check the TPS and MAF sensors to include a pressure check.

When was it last tune-up?
Dec 15, 2016 at 9:20 AM (Merged)
Add a reply
Join 2CarPros for free, one of the most advanced car repair communities on the internet. From first-time drivers to seasoned mechanics, everyone is welcome to reply, share details, and get better answers. You can add a temporary image or video first; uploads are limited to 20 MB.

Frequently Asked Problems for This Vehicle