In alt.home.repair, on Tue, 21 Aug 2018 14:57:21 -0700, Bob F
> wrote:

>On 8/21/2018 10:47 AM, micky wrote:
>> In alt.home.repair, on 21 Aug 2018 10:56:52 -0400,
>> (Scott Dorsey) wrote:
>>
>>
>> You seem to know what I wish I knew. Pardon me for horning in on this
>> thread.
>>
>>> The FIRST thing that I would do would be to swap the upstream sensors from
>>> side to side and see if the readings move from side to side. If they do,
>>
>> So the sensors are easy enough to remove and insert to just swap them,
>> instead of putting in new? Because they cost so much, about $125 (for
>> Toyotas, a lot more for BMWs I supppose.) (Of course I have the same
>> code on both banks so I guess I won't be swapping, but taking one out
>> worried me.)
>>
>>> you have a bad oxygen sensor.
>>
>> I have a P0171 (Bank 1 too lean) and the same thing for Bank 2 (P017?)
>> They tend to point to bad oxygen sensors
>>
>> 2005 Solara Camry Conv. with 3.3L
>>
>>> If they don't, you need to start looking on
>>> the engine side for vacuum leaks and bad injectors.
>>
>> I've looked repeatedly and diligently for vacuum leaks. I've sprayed
>> starter fluid into every crack. I've checked every hose.
>>
>> I've cleaned using the special cleaner and then replaced the "filter" in
>> the air cleaner tube. I've checked the air cleaner and it's clean.
>>
>> I think I once made the codes disappear for 2 or 3 hours** apparently
>> after I sprayed Liquid Wrench on the upper 02 sensor behind the
>> radiator, when I was planning to change the sensor, but I couldn't
>> reproduce that by spraying again. Still, it makes me think there is a
>> leak there, in the threads?, that won't be fixed by merely replacing the
>> sensor.
>>
>> **Usually the codes reappear 15 minutes after being cleared manually.
>>
>> I don't know how to check injectors, but since it's both sides and the
>> car runs evenly, maybe they aren't the problem?
>>
>> The two symptoms are two lights** on the dashboard and the fact that it
>> usually stumbles, hesitates, when starting from a dead start, unless I
>> press the acc just right. **VSC and what I read followed from VSC,
>> trac off.
>>
>> From reading I did months ago, I'm thinking the upper 02 sensors are
>> more likely the problem than the lower ones, and I should replace the
>> one that is easy to reach.
>>
>> Or I could diagnose it the way you suggest, but the scan tool I bought
>> didn't work completely and I returned it. I could buy another.
>>
>>> You can put a new converter onto this, but it won't stay good for very long
>>> until you sort out the mixture problems.
>>
>> So I could be ruining my cat converter?
>>
>> I'm hoping it's not that bad because I get 31 mpg on the highway, 1 or 2
>> mpg higher than what Toyota claims for the highway for a 2005 Solara
>> convertible with 3.3L engine.
>>
>> It's quite a bit lower in the city and I'm figuring I waste a bunch of
>> gas every time I leave a stop sign and it stumbles.
>>
>>> --scott
>>
>
>I ran into this recently. Just a thought.
>
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5icTmYItwiE

Hey, I'll try it. Can't hurt!