I would like to introduce myself, I am new to the forum and I am running out of ideas. My wife has a 2000 Toyota Camry 4 cylinder Has 107k on it.

She had ben driving it and said there were some weird noises and the check engine light started flashing. The car was running very rough. I checked the oil and the dip stick had no oil on it. I thought she might have cracked or warped something. I changed and flushed to the oil but did not see any metal shavings in the oil.

I hooked a OBD II and I get misfire cylinder 4. I did a compression at two different times and got 205, 205, 210, 210. So I figures she didn't crack the head or anything. I changed all spark plugs and wires and still the car seems to loap like if you had a cam in and check engine light flashing. I reset the battery and I am still getting misfire cylinder 4 and the car runs very rough.

I then thought it might by the EGR valve so I replaced it and reset battery and ran and still get misfire cylinder 4 and check engine light flashing.

I pulled all the new spark plugs and the first three cylinders look like they have been used. The 4th cylinder is spark plug is dry and does not look used at all.

The exhaust sound like a car with a cam in it and loaps.

I am stuck, can anyone help?

-Jon

 

Not sure on the codes.

Toyota codes are Pxxx where xxx is a specific code. The link below offers specific codes.

Find out what the specific codes were and post them.

http://www.troublecodes.net/Toyota/

Check for oil leaks when engine on and off. With engine running check for leaks on the passengers side (under timing belt area) front oil cooler area (around the oil filter) drivers side (cylinder head area) and the valve cover gasket including behind the engine (firewall side).

 

Did the 4th spark plug smell like fuel? If not, you may have a dead injector (more common on the V6). Touch each injector with your fingers and see if #4 is clicking like the rest of them. This can be done by hand or a mechanic stethoscope.

JJ

 

Toyomoho is far sharper than i am on these and you do need to figure out if you have an oil leak or maybe you let it go too long without checking and replenishing as needed.

You said "I pulled all the new spark plugs and the first three cylinders look like they have been used. The 4th cylinder is spark plug is dry and does not look used at all."

This sounds to me like you are not getting any fuel at all to the #4 cylinder since it is dry and maybe not firing either. The injector may be bad, dirty, or both. Check the codes with the previously posted link and see what it tells you.

 

Thanks for all your help. I cleaned the engine bay to help detect leaks. The code was P0304 misfire cylinder 4. I notice that there is white smoke coming out of the exhaust. I felt the injectors to feel a clicking but it is hard to tell since the motor itself is not running smooth. I want to say I did not feel a clicking in the fourth cylinder, but it could me wanting to belive it too.

 

Misfire can be due to a lot of problems other then the ign coil.

If you think it is No 4 remove power the injector and determine if it makes the problem worse.

 

I used a stethoscope on each fuel injector and I do not hear a clicking in the fourth injector on cylinder 4. I do not have a noid light to diagnois if it was electrical. I took the fuel rail off and injectors out today. I am going ahead and replace the fourth injector tomorrow. Is there was way by looking at the injector to know if it is bad? If it is not the injector then what else could it be? Since I did not hear a clicking in the injector when it was running would it be electrical?

-Jon

 

You can compare the ohm resistance with the other injectors.

Don't apply DC power, the injector may operate at 3-4 volts NOT 12 volts.

 

Thank you for everyone's help. I replaced the fourth fuel injector tonight, re-installed everything. And Wahla!! It is all working, runs smoother than ever.

 

Great!