A big concern

[jhall229]

2001 SLE V6 auto 94k miles.

Well wouldn't you know that my solara ran great for about 3 days after I got it and now I have some sort of problem that is bugging the heck out of me. I've done some research on the forums here, but I think my situation may be a little unique so I started a new thread.

My solara starting idling rough intermittently. It comes and goes. What happens if the tach jumps up and down from about 300 to 1200ish rpms, sometimes almost to the point where the car sounds like it's about to stall out, sometimes not so bad.

Twice my check engine light has come one and it went off both times after a while. Auto zone said the code was the "random misfire cylinder 1-5"

Also, I have what I would describe as throttle lag. When I'm cruising anywhere from 30-60 and I let off the gas, the tach doesn't immediately drop. Sometimes when I'm going a little slower, and I'm off the gas, I feel the engine and drivetrain "engage" when I press the gas (and im just barely pressing the gas). It's not that bad, but I never expected it with this car. And when coming to a stop, the downshifts sometimes feel a tad bit harsh.

Related to this, sometimes when cruising, I think I feel the engine gain power as if that bad cylinder starts working.

I'm hoping all these symptoms can be caused by one problem, and not multiple ones including my transmission.


Now I know I need a tune up first and foremost, but I can't find a defnitive answer as the best spark plugs to use for a bone stock solara.

I checked the throttle body and it actually looked clean as a whistle. Air filter looks almost brand new.

I want to attempt to do a tranny flush, but I'm not sure if its to complicated for me to do at home.

As far as the misfire, from what i've researched, it sounds most possibly its a coil pack going bad, but I dont want to buy 3 new ones, and I'm not sure the best way to check them.

I've been putting 87 octane in it, and after researching on the site here, I see that I should probably be putting 89 or higher in so I'll make sure to do that next time...along with some injector cleaner (any suggestions on a brand?).

I'f it means anything, the misfire has been the worse within 24 hours after putting gas into it, then it seems to be okay until I put gas into it. This may just be a coincidence though. (the gas cap is secure)


Other than that, I'm loving the care and cant wait to get it running properly so I can do a few things to it. Thanks so much in advance. I'm hoping you guys can help me out and save me money that I dont need to be spending this time a year...that the dealer would charge me.

PS: what kind of oil and filter do you suggest? and has anyone use the zmax product in a solara?

[Akfahad]

are you constantly getting gas at the same location? I think you'd be fine with 87, try a different gas station, might be some bad gas.

spark plugs...for a stock setup, you can get some Denso IK20's...cost a little more, but very good.

Misfiring...never really played with those, but it very well could be and could be causing the idle up and down. When you take the car in for your tune up, you could also have them check the idle air control valve (IAC) to make sure it's functioning properly. when my idle/rpm's were doing the same thing, it was my IAC.

Oil...mobil 1 (just my preference), but there are other good choices for cheaper for a stock setup, i.e. valvoline, etc. Filter, I typically use PureOne's....do not get Fram.

[Got2XLR8 NYX]

Sounds like my problem last year... Engine goes GRRRrrr GRRrrrr GRRRrrr like its about to stall out? and if u hold a Higher Idle the needle hops a bit? even when u r driving at a constant speed u feel the little kicks?

U need a mechanic to look at it... my mechanic ended up changing a computer but im not too sure if it was the ECU. It might be the same or it might be a different problem than mine since ur Auto and i'm a 5Speed

[Chinky420]

for a stock setup:
plugs: denso IK20's (IK22 if you're supercharged stock)
tranny fluid: i just tried it, it's not hard to drain the pan, but it's hard to do an entire flush. if you're wanting to go the way of a full flush (~14 quarts, instead of ~5 quarts for the pan) then you should take it to a shop. if you just want to "freshen" up the current tranny fluid, then just drain the pan and refill.

i also have that 'throttle lag' .... where you're cruising, and then when you let off the accelerator the tach stays at the same rev's for a second (to a 1.5 seconds) and then it will drop about 200-400 RPM's. i don't know what the cause of this is, and i don't know how to fix it. let me know if you figure it out.

oil+filter: mobile 1 + mobile 1 filter.

i've never used zmax products before.

hope you work out your issues.

and let me know if you figure out the throttle lag problem.

[jhall229]

I really appreciate all the advice so far. I am considering doing a complete tranny flush because I'm really not liking the feel of some of the downshifts.

Hopefully auto zone has the plugs I need. Thanks again everybody.

[rt9101]

You should check every vacuum line. Rough idles can be caused by this, especially intermittently. This is true because while the line may not leak in one spot, they move and can leak in a different spot, causing intermittent rough idle. Not to mention they're usually not too hard to check.

[jhall229]

thanks for the tip, I'll do that and let you guys know what I come up with. Got the spark plugs today and it seems to be running better on 93 octane.

[jhall229]

UPDATE:

I put 93 octane in the other day and the car ran better, but I'm still not sure if the problem is fixed.

I installed new NGK plugs and new wires and the car seemed to perform even better. The back 3 plugs closest to the firewall were noticeable older than the front 3...especially the front left, which was by far the plug that was in the best shape.

It may be in my head, but I still want to say I feel a very slight boost of power "kick" in while I'm cruising at about 40 mph although this may just be the car shifting into overdrive. I dont know why this would make me feel a quick increase in power though.

My last question is what is the average MPG I should be getting on a 2001 V6? I mainly do city driving, but there are about 5 miles of highway in my daily commute. Right now I get a little over 20, but I haven't calculated the MPG with the new plugs and wires. I dont drive the car hard at all.

Thanks

[Jakecallun20]

Alright, I'll tell you what I know about these V6 engines, the Denso IK20's will do just fine, I have almost 10k miles on my set. I use Amsoil and an amsoil filter in my car. I always have ran either shell or exxon 89 octane gasoline with shell "v-power" fuel system cleaner every 5000 miles. and as far as the zmax goes, I'd like to know too. anyone ever used this? I've done a lot of research on the product, seems legit.

-Jake

[jhall229]

My boss has owned several higher mileage cars, including toyotas and mazdas, and he swears by zmax. I may give it a shot and let you know.

thanks for the advice.

[Jakecallun20]

I've heard, and watched some things on TV about the product, like I said, it seems legit. Looks like something I may do too.

[JvR]

Sounds like the IAC ore vacuum hose.
Clean the IAC and check every hose if it is not leaking.

Overall tune up is of course not a bad idea. (sparkplugs etc.)


Good luck!

[jhall229]

Damn, well it happened again and this time it's not going away. I have just been so busy with work that its dark when I get home and I'm just too tired to try to figure this out.

The car sometimes idles rougly, but sometimes it just idles low. It almost wants to stall out sometimes so when im at a red light I have to put it in neutral and give it a little gas

The problem seems to be brought on by the car shifting and down shifting, but I think it's tied more into the throttle some how.

I know its not a dirty throttle body, its not bad plugs or wires. I suppose it could still be the coil pack or a sensor or a vacuum leak.

Im about ready to just take it to the dealer

[gnegroni]

Im about ready to just take it to the dealer

Don't mean to be rash, I think you should do just that. Have them check it out and fix it if possible, assuming some warranty is present. Keep researching on your own just to make sure the culprit is done for, either by dealer or your doing.

If all else fails, can't you return car (lemon law)? Its sad, but your dealer might have tricked ride to cover a serious problem. Hopefull its not.

Again, stick to Solaraguy.com

[Skew]

.

(lemon law)?

A friend of mine took his GTI back 4 times before pursueing the lemon law. They had to import another one from Germany because they didn't have a black one at Buyers.