96’, Toyota Camry, 2.2, SOFE, DOHC

Are you looking for a real challenge? I have just the car for you. See symptoms and repair list below to see if you can solve the puzzle.

History
While idling one day the steering wheel began vibrating and mild power loss occurred. Later in the day more prominent power loss until finally very little power. At one point while in Neutral the engine would not vibrate. Intermittent spark was present on 1 and 4. Although now the vibration is present consistently and there is no spark present on 1 and 4.

Symptoms
- Loss of power due to no spark condition on cylinder 1 and 4
- Engine vibration
- Sputtering exhaust*
- Oil Leaks

OBD II Codes
- P0301 Misfire on cylinder 1
- P0304 Misfire on cylinder 4
- Catalytic converter inefficient code

Visual Inspection
- Cylinder heads corrosion/buildup moderate
- Cylinder 1 oil on plug boot
- Oil running down back of head through gasket oil covering fuel injectors

Actions taken based on symptom
- Cat inefficient code:
- Soaked cat in dish soap and reinstalled

Engine Vibration:
- Replaced engine mounts
- Replaced all 4 shocks and struts

Oil leaks:
- Replaced cam and crank seals as well as oil pump seal and gasket
- Replaced Valve Cover gasket and sealed

Loss of Power:
- Replaced timing belt with timing light
- Compression test all cylinders at 180 PSI in 4 cranks and holding pressure
- Conducted Smoke Test for leaks and Sprayed Carb Cleaner around Vacuum System. No leaks detected.
- Removed EGR component and cleaned with carb spray.
- Removed air intake and cleaned buildup on throttle body and took apart the IAC and cleaned. IAC had a stripped screw so I had to hone it out to get it off. Tightened it back with only one screw, seems tight enough.

Spark:
- Replaced plugs with mfg. recommend plugs.
- Replaced wires
- Replaced distributor cap (firing order correct 1,3,4,2)
- Replaced ECM
- Replaced Ignition Coil
- Replaced CPS (Cam Pos Sensor)
- Replaced Igniter
- Alternator bench tested, OK
- New battery installed

Fuel:
- Fuel psi test 48 PSI
- Replaced fuel injectors (4)
- Replaced fuel filter under hood

Additional Work Completed:
- Replaced complete A/C system

 

No spark No 1 and 4?

Remove plugs and plug wires from cap.

Using a good ign wire. Install the wire in each cap socket and check for spark, one socket at a time.

 

Toyomoho: I'll try that. Pretty sure that there is no spark on those two leads no matter what I do but its worth a go. Thank you. I'll let you know what happens.

 

While your at it. Make sure the high voltage wire from the coil is always firing and doesn't have an issue at locations 1 and 4.

The distributor receives high voltage from the coil. The rotor and cap distributes it. If the high voltage is getting to 2 and 3 ign wires and not 1 and 4. Look at the distributor.