On 8/22/2018 8:17 PM, micky wrote:
> 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!
> I can't say I'd be sure of that.