87 Camry Acceleration Problem

[akira]

I have an 87 Camry auto thats driving like a pig, the acceleration is terrible and it keeps wanting to stall, and the fuel intake has gone way up due to having to give it a lot of welly just to get up a hill. The exhaust is fine as are the plugs. I think it might be something to do with the air/fuel mix but I don,t know how to check this. If anyone has any suggestions they would be greatly appreciated.

[gazza1286]

Is it the same when its warmed up? If it improves after it warms up it will probvably be the auto choke mechanism. Toyota tried out a system in the late 80s based on the engine temperature rathe rthan the traditional electric element style. This will require a replacement carburetor.

If it's the same all the time, I would suggest that one of the cylinders isn't firing. The simplest way to confirm this is to disconnect each HT lead in turn. The faulty one will show no change in engine tickover (assuming you can get a tickover) - Disconnecting a 'good' lead will kill the engine. (engines will struggle to run on 3 cylinders firing but will stall when only two are firing). The solution will be either a new distrubutor cap (copy parts are available) or a new (or set) of HT leads.

Other than that - check the timing. The vac advance has also been known to fail. Most types around that time had twin advances. If you disconnect the small hose (while the engine is running) and feel suction on the metal nozzle, the membrane has failed and the unit will need replacing.

Good luck

[akira]

Is it the same when its warmed up? If it improves after it warms up it will probvably be the auto choke mechanism. Toyota tried out a system in the late 80s based on the engine temperature rathe rthan the traditional electric element style. This will require a replacement carburetor.

If it's the same all the time, I would suggest that one of the cylinders isn't firing. The simplest way to confirm this is to disconnect each HT lead in turn. The faulty one will show no change in engine tickover (assuming you can get a tickover) - Disconnecting a 'good' lead will kill the engine. (engines will struggle to run on 3 cylinders firing but will stall when only two are firing). The solution will be either a new distrubutor cap (copy parts are available) or a new (or set) of HT leads.

Other than that - check the timing. The vac advance has also been known to fail. Most types around that time had twin advances. If you disconnect the small hose (while the engine is running) and feel suction on the metal nozzle, the membrane has failed and the unit will need replacing.

Good luck

Thanks for the advice. It's still the same when warmed up so I,m going to try the HT leads, I'll let you know.