Fuel delivery problems

[Vampire]

Not always so. ECU can do a lot of correcting in closed loop.

All of your problems are related to improper fuel trims.

I've had them all before.

[Eye8Pussies]

if it's no the cat, then also take into account possible vacuum leaks- creates lots of misfires

[Ian]

Well, it has been at the shop since last Thursday and some problems arose:

1. Drivability:

They found a broken motor mount, and said my S/C is on a little crooked, and that my S/C belt is slipping badly. I just bought that belt last summer. But, if my engine is out of line because of the bad motor mount, then I guess the other 2 problems would logically result. I also forgot that they said the tensionor pulley thing might need to be replaced. I guess this is all related to the bad engine mount.

2. Tuning:

As far as the tuning issue, they are doing a full diagnostic to see exactly why it sputters on acceleration. That includes dyno, etc. They want to be sure that everything is safe before they add the URD parts, otherwise the problem could be compounded.

I'll be glad when this is over because I'll be done spending money on this car, THAT I LOVE SO MUCH.

[shocar4]

ian what area are you from?

[Ian]

Los Angeles

[Astro]

Ian, where did you end up taking your car? I know I need some work, sometimes I get the random misfire code. Right now I can't mash on the gas without it sputtering. I still need to dyno to get the fuel trims right. I was taking my car to UPFD, but there always so busy - besides being 1 hour away from my house. I was the 1st Solara they really worked on - I hated being the guinea pig...

[Ian]

Ian, where did you end up taking your car? I know I need some work, sometimes I get the random misfire code. Right now I can't mash on the gas without it sputtering. I still need to dyno to get the fuel trims right. I was taking my car to UPFD, but there always so busy - besides being 1 hour away from my house. I was the 1st Solara they really worked on - I hated being the guinea pig...

I took it to a place called DC Performance. You can see their website at www.dcperformance.com.

They know how to tune with Split Second products (and other tuning software), and they have a dyno, etc. Plus, they deal with forced inductioned cars. Mostly Vipers at their location. My little Toyota may be the first, but they can handle it. The guy to talk with is Tony.

Astro, do you have the URD fuel pump? If so, can you hear yours humming? Mines hummed a little bit initially, but I no longer hear it. I was thinking about this since you said your car sputters on acceleration as well. When I initially went to the Toyota dealership regarding that issue and they pulled the codes, they felt it was a fuel system problem. So, I was guessing whether the fuel pumps may be shaky, thus cause fuel delivery problems. I doubt it would be the filter and fuel lines from Jim's kit because that hasn't been on my car for more than a year.

[Astro]

I do here my fuel pump occasionally. I sometimes think it could be a problem. That's a reason why I want to take it to someone. I hate not being able to mash on the gas. - like I used to do when I just put on the s/c. I have a feeling it just needs to be properly tuned, like Greg said.

[Ian]

I do here my fuel pump occasionally. I sometimes think it could be a problem. That's a reason why I want to take it to someone. I hate not being able to mash on the gas. - like I used to do when I just put on the s/c. I have a feeling it just needs to be properly tuned, like Greg said.

O.K., I have some information. (Astro, this might apply to you too.)

The sputtering on acceleration was due to the MAF being covered in oil. They cleaned it off and he said it runs just fine. Ironically, this happened to me last year, and the Toyota dealership replaced the MAF completely.

So, the next logical question is why all the oil. The mechanic said he thinks one of the cylinders might be low in compression. Which probably means one of the piston rings is failing and thus allowing the blow by of oil.

He is doing a compression check today to see if that's the case.

If it is, then I would have to do an engine rebuild, which I won't do and I won't install the URD/Split Second FTC and AFR units. I don't want to put anymore significant money into this car. I love my Solara, but I can't keep spending heavy cash on it.

I'll let you all know what happens after the compression check. I hope that's not the problem, but I think it might be because others here have had that problem.

[Astro]

Man, keep us updated. I really don't want to pour any more money in my car, but I want to finish tuning and call it done. I really want to concentrate on paying off the RX350, so I can start looking at a new ride........and keep the Solara as my 2nd ride when the new ride needs any work

[Ian]

Well, I got confirmation that one cylinder is getting about 80lbs of compression. They said the piston ring is worn and the engine would have to be rebuilt. I checked around and the cost of a rebuild is $5k-$6K.

Needless to say that I am disappointed by all of this. The amount of time and money I put in this car and it never got to where I wanted. I take the blame for not getting it tuned earlier, but it still is disappointing.

So, my logical choices are to rebuild the engine, or buy a new car, or buy a used car. I'm not sure what I'll do.

[Turbosolara]

OR buy a used engine

[Ian]

true. i think i'll try that option as well. It might be cheap to find an engine to swap.

[Ian]

O.K., now I'm happy, but confused.

I took my car to the dealership for a second opinion. They said there is nothing wrong with my car, no compression loss, nothing. I even had them check the other problems that the performance shop indicated, like broken engine mount, excessive belt slippage, and my S/C being on a little crooked. The dealership said none of that was present.

What they did say is that my MAF is clogging with oil likely from the air filter. The clogged MAF is sending bad signals, or no signals and that's what is causing the misreads, check engine light and sputtering upon acceleration. I have the UPFD cold air intake with the K&N filter. He said just clean it with carburator cleaner whenever the car starts jerking like before.

I'm confused at the diagnosis of the performance shop. I'm sure they are more competent than that. I'm also confused with the air filter clogging up my MAF twice within 5 months. My current MAF is brand new from last September. Plus, I have never oiled that filter and it's been on my car over a year.

Well, I will count my blessings and be glad that I don't have to do an engine rebuild. I will still let the performance shop do the tune because it's too hard finding other shops that can work with split second products. Hopefully, they will do it.

Anyway, I hope all my verbage was helpful to others. I'll report back after my tune.

[Paladin06Greg]

Hummm, somebody is not telling you the truth. So who do you trust?

O.K., now I'm happy, but confused.

I took my car to the dealership for a second opinion. They said there is nothing wrong with my car, no compression loss, nothing. I even had them check the other problems that the performance shop indicated, like broken engine mount, excessive belt slippage, and my S/C being on a little crooked. The dealership said none of that was present.

What they did say is that my MAF is clogging with oil likely from the air filter. The clogged MAF is sending bad signals, or no signals and that's what is causing the misreads, check engine light and sputtering upon acceleration. I have the UPFD cold air intake with the K&N filter. He said just clean it with carburator cleaner whenever the car starts jerking like before.

I'm confused at the diagnosis of the performance shop. I'm sure they are more competent than that. I'm also confused with the air filter clogging up my MAF twice within 5 months. My current MAF is brand new from last September. Plus, I have never oiled that filter and it's been on my car over a year.

Well, I will count my blessings and be glad that I don't have to do an engine rebuild. I will still let the performance shop do the tune because it's too hard finding other shops that can work with split second products. Hopefully, they will do it.

Anyway, I hope all my verbage was helpful to others. I'll report back after my tune.