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May 8, 2011 1:52 p.m. slefain SuperDork

So I am looking at buying my pastor's 2002 Camry LE V6 with 118k on it. The only defect I can find is it has a shudder during light throttle application at speed.

It sounds like the problem here: http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/03/22/toyota.tsb.pdf

And from what I can tell this car has not had the TSB done (no sticker). It does shudder at 38 - 43 mph, but it also does it a other speeds too. My pastor complained of it mostly at 72 mph. I deduced that it was only under light throttle input and regardless of speed. It does not do it in neutral though.

I did a quick throttle body cleaning yesterday and that didn't seem to help. I have searched the Toyota forums and only found everyone screaming about replacing the throttle body for a grand (I can't tell if this applies to the V6 though). I am going to call the local Toyota dealer tomorrow and see if this car falls under the TSB, and how much it costs to have it done (VW charged me $200 to do a computer update TSB, so I assume there is a charge). The car also needs a top motor mount, so I'm thinking that is magnifying the shudder since the motor can move excessively.

Other than that the car is immaculate. V6, leather package, alloy wheels, sunroof, and almost perfect inside and out. My pastor and I have similar taste in cars, but for some reason he just didn't connect with this one, so he's selling it.
May 8, 2011 2:09 p.m. DoctorBlade HalfDork

That motor brace probably isn't helping.
May 8, 2011 4:22 p.m. DrBoost SuperDork

A few thoughts:
Tell your pastor God wants him to slow down, 72 is illegal and he may burn for that
Adjust the points and the choke cable to be sure the shudder isn't caused by that.
It's a Camry, is it really worth putting any effort into owning it? If I have to put effort into getting a 4 seat family car running I'd buy a Biturbo

Sorry, nothing useful to add really, just having fun.
May 8, 2011 7:38 p.m. slefain SuperDork

DrBoost wrote:

A few thoughts:
Tell your pastor God wants him to slow down, 72 is illegal and he may burn for that
Adjust the points and the choke cable to be sure the shudder isn't caused by that.
It's a Camry, is it really worth putting any effort into owning it? If I have to put effort into getting a 4 seat family car running I'd buy a Biturbo

Sorry, nothing useful to add really, just having fun.

My pastor is a Trekkie and a geek, he doesn't fit in well at the big conference meetings. This morning he preached from his iPad (actually, he does that most Sundays).

I checked the points, all six sets. This car has P.O.P. ignition (points on plug). Real bugger to synchronize, but at least the parts are cheap.

I looked at the motor mount this afternoon, big crack running through the rubber. Definitely not helping the situation.
May 9, 2011 6:57 a.m. DrBoost SuperDork

slefain wrote: I checked the points, all six sets. This car has P.O.P. ignition (points on plug). Real bugger to synchronize, but at least the parts are cheap.

FOR THE WIN!!!!
May 9, 2011 9:13 a.m. slefain SuperDork

Just called the local dealer and gave them the VIN. They said the VIN doesn't come back as applicable for the TSB. His recommendation was a throttle body cleaning.

I drove the car to work in traffic this morning. Drove great. I think the car is still worth buying. I found partial maintenance records from the previous owner, so far it has had 2 catalytic converters replaced, new plugs, two "induction cleanings", and the timing belt was done at 79k. I'm bringing the car back to my pastor tonight, I think we'll firm up the sale then.
May 9, 2011 11:18 a.m. Jerry From LA HalfDork

The top mount cracking can be caused by the other mounts failing so check 'em all.

Bad mounts cause a lot of drivability and NVH issues so start there. If Toyota equips these cars with fluid mounts, you've found the problem and the replacements can be pricey.
May 9, 2011 12:54 p.m. KATYB Reader

those upper wish bone mounts go bad constantly. before you buy tho pull the front valve cover and make sure the engine isnt sludged. pull the plugs and see what brand is in there..... anything but denso and those engine will not run right.
May 9, 2011 1:11 p.m. slefain SuperDork

KATYB wrote:

those upper wish bone mounts go bad constantly. before you buy tho pull the front valve cover and make sure the engine isnt sludged. pull the plugs and see what brand is in there..... anything but denso and those engine will not run right.

Sludge was a big concern with me and this engine. 2002 got the redesign that pretty much put and end to the problem. I did check for sludge just to be sure though.

Not sure about the plugs, but I will be putting Densos in it for sure. I'll also swap it to Mobil 1 (it just had an oil change not long ago, so it will be a few months on that one).

Cost for all 3 motor mounts is $227, so I'm going to see if my pastor will take $7800 for the car (KBB private party is a touch over $8k).
May 9, 2011 1:19 p.m. KATYB Reader

if its a 3.0 or 3.3 it still have bad sludge problems. offer him 7 and see what he says.
May 9, 2011 3:32 p.m. DrBoost SuperDork

slefain wrote: ....so far it has had 2 catalytic converters replaced, new plugs, two "induction cleanings", and the timing belt was done at 79k.

Hmmm, sounds like someone has been chasing a rough running condition for a long time....
May 9, 2011 3:34 p.m. 92CelicaHalfTrac SuperDork

If it the 3.3... buy it and then gift me the engine, please.
May 9, 2011 4:25 p.m. slefain SuperDork

DrBoost wrote:

slefain wrote: ....so far it has had 2 catalytic converters replaced, new plugs, two "induction cleanings", and the timing belt was done at 79k.

Hmmm, sounds like someone has been chasing a rough running condition for a long time....

It is hard to tell. I only have partial maintenance notes from the first owner, but complete records from my pastor. AutoCheck is clean as a whistle. Car runs like a Swiss watch.
May 9, 2011 4:31 p.m. nocones HalfDork
slefain wrote:
1. Car runs like a Swiss watch.
Swiss watches stumble under gentle acceleration?? I didn't know that!
May 9, 2011 4:49 p.m. slefain SuperDork
nocones wrote:
slefain wrote:
1. Car runs like a Swiss watch.
Swiss watches stumble under gentle acceleration?? I didn't know that!
Doh, didn't finish my thought.

Car runs like a Swiss watch 98% of the time. Drove it at lunch, no stumble at all. None on the drive in this morning either. I can make it stumble, but if I drive normal it really doesn't do it.
May 9, 2011 5:18 p.m. Bobzilla Dork

DrBoost wrote:

slefain wrote: ....so far it has had 2 catalytic converters replaced, new plugs, two "induction cleanings", and the timing belt was done at 79k.

Hmmm, sounds like someone has been chasing a rough running condition for a long time....

that's what that says to me too. Wife went through 4 cats, 5 O2 sensors and 2 "tune-ups" on her Rav onlyto find out after we traded it in (for something that didn't suck) it was the ECU the entire time.