QuestionMy son's 1994 Camry XLE 2.2L (5S-FE) with 186k miles has a problem which first started very intermittently about a year ago, but recently is getting much worse – and consistent. First thing in the morning, or anytime it has been sitting for over an hour, the car starts and runs fine except for white smoke in exhaust until it warms up. However, if you try to let it idle for a few minutes it will die. He reports that just before it dies he hears a “pop”. Then, hard hot start after it dies, or if you just shut it off and try to restart in less than 30 mins it will act as though it is flooded, and takes many cranking cycles to start (if at all). After it finally starts it runs poorly unless you shut it off and let sit for at least half an hour. Took to a mechanic who said there was no fuel pressure, so they replaced the fuel pump and filter (to the tune of almost $500!), but did not fix the problem at all.
Please help! Is it possible an injector is not sealing properly, so it is flooding at idle? Any other ideas? Obviously with the age, high mileage, and after just being burned on the fuel pump debacle I do not have much appetite to sink a lot of $$$ into this car – but he needs the transportation.
Expert advice would be much appreciated!
AnswerDoes it use any coolant. If it is smoke like you say and not condensation then that would be coolant and I would suspect a blown head gasket. Does the white smoke have any smell?
Sweet smell also sign its burning coolant.
The idle problem sounds to me like a bad IAC valve (idle air control). Located on the bottom of the throttle body.
The POP I would have to hear, tough to diagnose a noise by email.
Mike
