Stumble at idle post TB and Injector cleaning

Yes...I read one post and will read further. I think I have been experiencing a funny erratic fuel economy with my driving...and I normally drive to the same places all the time.

Any suggestions on a catch can would be appreciated. I've seen a bunch and not sure which to get. Size will likely be an issue...where do people normally place them?

For the cost (if that bolt comes out without destroying it) the VVT filter replacement/cleaning is worth every penny. This Prius is so clean both inside and out that d love to see it hit 300k (47k to go!!)

Any suggestions on a can?

Yes...I'll be reading. Scared to strip that bolt!!!!!!

 

I know what EMT is!!
Going to try this tomorrow.

 

Thanks for the info. I'll look into this after the VVT filter and coolant and trans swap I have planned for this weekend.

 

Well...the temperatures plummeted this weekend and decided to skip the coolants and trans fluids....but I did the VVT filter because the engine was warm!!

The VVT filter removal was QUITE easy. I was a bit scared of stripping that engine plug that holds the filter in place, but it was a piece of cake!

After yanking the air filter box, there was some little plastic plug that was bolted in place by a 10mm bolt. Pulled that bolt out to be able to tilt the plastic plug so as to get full and direct access to the VVT plug. As described here and in other posts, used a 8mm allen socket with a good tight fit....an extension on one of my longer ratchet handles, pressed into the bolt HARD with one hand and turned the ratchet handle slowly with the other and 'pek' bolt/plug started un-threading. Bolt came out easily...the little filter I yanked with one of those little claw extractors(best tool ever to have...saved me many many times)

This is what the VVT filter looked like: looked clean to me, but I cleaned the gunk from the little divit in the threaded plug/bolt and cleaned the screen. Used carburetor cleaner for both...let them dry and popped it all back in.

Since the filter looked clean looking at it, I was bit annoyed hoping to have found the culprit being gunk on it. Once it was all back together, I let the car idle and sit for about 30 min to see if the stumbles would happen and they didn't. Not sure if it was because it was warmed up, or if the seemingly pointless filter cleaning actually did something.

We will see in the next day or 2. The stumbles seem to happen more when it is COLD out.

 

Just some pictures of that the intake manifold and TB looked like during the cleaning:

Pretty gross, but by the time I was done (and with 4 cans brake cleaner and 3 of carb cleaner) it was mostly all silver and clean. Tricky to get into the valves.

Is that some buildup or what!?

 

PS: Please let me know if you cant see the pictures. It has been a while since I've posted images on forums...back in 2004 we were using Photobucket on the volvo forums! If ya'll cant see 'em let me know and I'll sort it out.

Also, gotta thank you ALL for your help here. I've leaned about the car and working my way to fixing it (at least it feels that way) so thanks to all that have participated and those who've posted in other forums. This is a great resource.

 

I wasn't sure what to expect the filter to look like, but the picture of the filter is what it looked like when I pulled it...it was pretty clean.

No codes at all, and I've checked that the CEL comes on on start up.

Way back, before I cleaned the intake and injectors, the CEL did come on...that was about 1000 miles/1 month ago, so I'm pretty sure the CEL light itself works.

As far as drive-ability...now that you mention it it may be slightly more sluggish, but quite honestly I drive pretty mellow and not very lead footed. It does seem to be straining a little bit more than in the past, now thinking about it, but I'm not sure how much of that is placebo.

 

Just went for a drive, 4 hours after having pulled the filter...and stumbles!

Maybe the engine isn't in such a bad condition with its oil stuff? Is that possible? For what its worth, it doesn't consume much oil....bout 1/2 qt. in 3,000 miles. In my mind that's not a lot, but I don't recall what the factory spec allows for.

I know that pipe, the VVT solenoid...I saw it right by the VVT filter when I pulled it this morning. I unplugged it to see if the contacts were corroded but the seals on the plugs do such a great job.

I may just get a VVT solenoid new and swap 'em. They seem to be cheap enough...like $20?

Guess that's whats next on the list!

I just ordered an OEM toyota one from Emay for $21!

 

Updating here. I ended up cancelling the Ebay order on the VVT solenoid as once the payment went through the item's location suddenly wasn't in New Jersey anymore...and they showed pictures of the solenoid on a Toyota bag...once I found out the OEM VVT solenoid is $125, I cancelled the order for what I think was a fake one for $21.00 and got a new one at the local Toyota dealer early in the morning.

When I went to the car early yesterday morning and drove around, it stumbled again, and then I FINALLY for CEL's again! The same CEL's the car has always shown since this issue came up (I guess about a month ago, now) with an occasional P0303 (cyl #3 misfire)

There were the codes from my scanner's read of the Prius yesterday morning at 7:15am (34deg F outside temp):

P0300, random cyl misfire
P0304, cyl misfire #4
P0300, random cyl misfire

At 4pm went to dealer and pick up the VVT solenoid. Installation took all of 20 min. Old one came out without issues...and it looked dark and ....well....oily! Drove it around last night for 40 minutes and seems to get better gas mileage...up into the 46 and 48 range which it didn't before.

Just went over to it this morning and it still stumbles... I think I'm going to check the plugs and try another set of coil packs. The coil packs I got off Ebay back in April (I think) and they cost $46.00 for a set f 4. Clearly not OEM, but maybe there's something up with them? I could also swap the Cyl 4 coil pack with the #1 coil pack and see if the CEL comes back as P0301. The plugs are cheap enough to install and it is one more thing to eliminate...I have to check my maintenance log for when they were installed; they may be up for replacement. This stumbling sure seems to happen when the engine is cold at idle, and/or when you drive it after being at idle for 20 or 30 sec in the morning after having sat all night.

Will update as soon as I do plugs and coil packs...

 

Oh NO!!!
I can't complain though...even the last 3 years I've had it since 193,000 on the odo, it's been such a good little car.
These last few expenses still keep it under the overall expense of maintaining a car.

If the plugs and COPS don't do it, I may well move on to something else. I've been looking at Tacomas as that would be a bit more practical at times with my work.

Regardless of the results, I will post it here and hopefully someone else can benefit from one more post.

 

Nope...got em at a local parts place. Iridium things lol