Hello forum members..
My 1995 Camry LE still once in a while doesn't want to stay running when I start it up, but giving gas keeps it on so I can put it into gear, and then apart from a little hesitation runs OK...although a bit worrying.
With engine parts that old and worn it's understandable there is some rough idling / slight movement so I put it in neutral when at a traffic light or in thick traffic.

Will adding Lucas 'upper cylinder lubricant' to the gas tank of my 1995 Camry LE help it run smoother? This was suggested, and also to once in a great while use Premium gasoline to smooth out the rough idling.
I have not used premium but always regular gasoline as the handbook states.
I know Lucas, seafoam or similar additives may not help with the occasional difficult starting where it wants to shut off if I don't give and hold the gas pedal but I don't want to add something that may make things worse.
Thank you..


Thank you for your suggestions.

 

How many miles and when was it last tuned up?
I would suggest that you clean the throttle body.

 

Thanks for replying.
Yes, new sparks recently and battery too so it has a powerful start up.
The throttle body was cleaned and actually had barely any build- up. It was and is shiny and clean but it was only cleaned in-front and behind the throttle plate and just inside the body.
Within three weeks the mechanic replaced the distributer with a new one twice, saying even new parts can malfunction so another new second one (apparently) was attached- then a new computer too and it ran well for a couple of weeks until again difficult starting... but not always.
Yesterday I went back to him since very recently it wouldn't stay cranked unless I gave and help the gas for a few seconds but he could find no information from the scanner / computer even about the distributer not functioning properly.??
When it's running it's 'almost' fine although here and there some small hesitancy.
Appreciate your comment.

 

After reading many comments on several sites I did add some Lucas Upper Cylinder Lubricant to my full gas tank.
Unfortunately I didn't read the label well enough and added over half the bottle (32oz) and now after realizing it's way too much I am really worried I've done much damage. I have only driven the vehicle a few miles since - whether that is good or bad I'm not sure.
Should I do something / anything? I would appreciate any help / comments.
Thank you.

 

The 1995 has only rudimentary self-diagnosis as in using a dash icon light to flash out a code.

Did the mechanic clean the Air Idle Control valve?

A bottle of this gas treatment in a full tank of gas is not going to harm anything.

 

Hello toyomoho, good to see your comment- thank you. You are a great help and also put our minds at ease about the Lucas additive. I was a little worried to drive it yesterday but after some hesitation and hold back for a couple of seconds backing out, it began to smooth out and drive reasonably OK.

It wasn't mentioned that the mechanic cleaned the idle control valve.
I did take off the manifold cover a couple of months ago and although the throttle body and plate were shiny and clean I sprayed carefully and wiped in-front and behind the plate and into the body a little and there was hardly any build- up to be removed.

I had tried in the past removing the two screws on the idle air control valve but couldn't loosen the. About ten minutes ago I read I need to use a JIS Phillips screwdriver which I have somewhere and not try a regular Phillips one. I also just read that when doing this cleaning the keys should not be in the ignition, and also best to remove the negative cable so that when the cable is connected again the engine re-sets properly.

I may go out and remove the cable for five minutes anyway as I am not sure the mechanic did this after - or before replacing the computer 10 days ago. Surely he would have.
Thank you again very much.