97 5sfe cold start problem
 

My 97 Camry started this winter being a little hard to start. Does this engine have a cold start system ?
I had a earlier model corolla that had a cold start injector. I replaced it and solved the problem.
would appreciate any help....SHORTY

When was the last tune up done on the car?

97 camry 5sfe
 

what all is involved in doing a tuneup on this engine ?

A basic tune up usually includes: plugs, plug wires, air filter, fuel filter, oil.
How is the idle on the car?

There is no cold start injector. The computer uses the ETC sensor to note coolant temp and adjust fuel injector and ign timing based on this. Check this sensor.

Joey what is the sensor just to the right of the engine coolant temperature sensor on my 97 Camry 5sfe and what is its purpose ? Thank you Joey for your help. Shorty

If a sensor or sender installed in coolant pipe:

One is for dash temp gauge, the other for temp for engine computer.

Green/brown and brown wires may be computer sensor.

Gauge temp sender may be yellow/green (only one wire).

Thanks Joey..Shorty

spark plugs
 

What is the replacement interval for spark plugs on my 97 Camry 5sfe engine ? Thanks for your help....Shorty

Manual states every 60K miles to meet emissions requirements.

However OEM type plugs should last 100K miles or more.

I was looking on ebay for a serpentine belt and found one for my 97 camry and I asked if it was for the 5sfe engine with alt./ac ? the seller asked for the vin # I sent it and he replyed that my car didn't have a serpentine belt. I am almost certain that it has a serpentine belt. Does he know what he is talking about ? your thoughts...SHORTY

A serpentine belt powers everything and has an automatic belt tensioner.

The 5SFE uses a multigroove belt that may look like a serpentine belt design. However this belt only powers the alt and AC. Another belt powers the PS. Belt tension is manually adjusted.

Thus the engine does not use a serpentine belt. Although the multigroove belt looks like one.

Thanks Joey, I understand now.

fuel injection cleaner
 

my 97 camry has 253,000 miles on it and I would like to use some fuel injection cleaner in it, but I don't know what brand to get could someone help advise me Thanks Shorty

If the engine runs OK, fuel injector cleaner is not needed. However on rare occasions have been known to use WalMart's cheapest brand. The same chemicals are in most brands.

Some dealers uses Techron but this is the industrial strength version and they plumb it directly into the fuel rail.

fuel filter
 

Does my 97 Camry le with the 5sfe engine have an inline fuel filter, if so where is it located. Thanks for your reply, Shorty

spark plug problems
 

I was trying to change the spark plugs in my 97 Camry 5S-FE but I could not get the plug socket to go on to the plug, I got a flash light and looked down in the tube and it looks like there is some kind of rubber ring that is keeping the socket from going down onto the plug. Can someone tell what to do. I watched a video of the plugs being changed and it looked so simple the guy had no problems at all..........Thanks for any suggestions...Shorty

Is the rubber ring around the top of the plug?
Most spark plug sockets have a rubber ring inside of them to grip the socket to pull it out
once it has been completely unthreaded.
Does the boot from the plug wire look intact? Could a piece of it come off?

It looks like a rubber seal has been tightened down to much and squeezed it out to close to the plug. Could that be possible ? your thoughts.

Where exactly is this piece coming from?
Is it intruding into the chamber where the plug is?
Is it on the plug?

It is intruding into the chamber where the plug is.
It is not on the plug.
Its so close to the plug that the socket can't get past it.

It is coming out from around the tube.
It is intruding into the chamber where the plug is.
No it is not on the plug

The spark plug tube should be pressed into the head and have no gasket.

As Patonium, states check for any remains from the spark plug boot.

Make a hook from solid steel wire and try to pull the gasket out.