Engine misfiring. But is it a concern?

Tiny
JARRODHENRY
  • MEMBER
  • TOYOTA CAMRY
Okay, 90 Toyota Camry, 150k miles,

Okay. I was driving down the road, and it started missing. Here's the catch. It stopped after a bit, and it is raining like mad, so there might be something that got wet. No check engine light, no real engine struggling or anything.

Also, when I hold down the accelerator when accelerating, the vehicle tends to kinda "oscilate" through levels of power. But. It doesn't lose power or anything.

Should I be overly concerned, or is it likely that some water got on something?
Thursday, December 21st, 2006 AT 9:27 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Double check the spark plug connections at the spark plug and distributor cap, if time permits open up the cap and inspect the rotor and cap terminal for moisture and corrosion
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Saturday, December 23rd, 2006 AT 2:42 AM
Tiny
JARRODHENRY
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*nods* That sounds like a good idea. It was doing it today, again, and now it isn't rainy, it's damp and cold. I'm beginning to be concerned as it seems to be losing power when this happens. I might just take it in tomorrow.
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Tuesday, December 26th, 2006 AT 6:47 PM
Tiny
JARRODHENRY
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Obviously, I'm concerned about my car, but thanks for your help. The only problem is, I don't have the tools and I suspect this car might have a few more problems. What else could cause it to miss? It seems to only do it in higher gears. And while I have been getting the oil changes as needed, I have the suspicion that the people have not been diligent in checking the filters, etc in doing the oil change.

Something tells me this is not a BIG problem. But that it might be something that could grow into one.
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Tuesday, December 26th, 2006 AT 7:32 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
When was it last tune-up?
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Tuesday, December 26th, 2006 AT 9:13 PM
Tiny
JARRODHENRY
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May. When my father gifted it to me
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Tuesday, December 26th, 2006 AT 9:20 PM
Tiny
MADXC
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I have a 91 Camry. I had the same problem. One by one, pull the spark plug wire from each spark plug. Check the ends of wires (the tips that connect to the plug) for oil on them. If any or all of them have oil on them, it means your valve cover gasket is leaking oil, which is collecting at the bottom of the spark plug tube causing your spark plug wires to intermittently short out. I took my car to a mechanic who fixed it for me. I believe this is a common problem on old Camry's from like 89-91. You could probably fix it yourself if you have time, experience and faith in yourself. If you haven't had a tune-up and oil change in a while, it would be good to get one.

Another time, I also had funny problems where it felt like my car was missing but I traced it too the alternator (because eventually the headlights and dash did begin to finally dim). The bearings in the first alternator I got wore out withing a few thousand miles, so I took it back and got a new one and have been fine since.

My car, under full acceleration still sometimes feels kind of funny. I think that's because of nearly 200,000 miles so probably some slight loss of compression among other things.
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Tuesday, December 26th, 2006 AT 10:56 PM

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