Vibration happens occasionally around fifty km/h

1999 TOYOTA CAMRY
160 MILES
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JOHN WOO
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What is the cause for this vibration which only happens occasionally and usually at around fifty km/h and eighty km/h only for my car listed above 2L four cylinder? Vibration at sixty to eighty km/h. More noticeable when on load like going up hill. When accelerate hard the vibration goes away. Only happen when gently accelerate and when reach speed around sixty to eighty km/h the vibration comes on.

Letting go the accelerator the vibration goes away. Vibration only occurs when fuel is applies by pressing on the accelerator. Spent over $500.00 for mechanic to replaced Platinum spark plugs and plug cords plus tuning done at certified Toyota service center but the vibration problem still exist. What is next? Wanting to know the exact cause to this problem. Please advice.
Jan 17, 2012 at 3:33 AM
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RIVERMIKERAT
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Check for loose or worn suspension components. Have the wheels and tires balanced on the car. Check for vacuum leaks.
Jan 17, 2012 at 3:53 AM
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JOHN WOO
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Wheel and tires were balanced. If it is balancing issues or something loose it should vibrate at all time and not only when putting fuel on the accelerator right? Can it be the catalytic converter ? I took the car to the exhaust place and they inspected and certified all okay and said something wrong with the car engine. I am very lost here, can it be engine? If it is engine I can hear the vibration even when the car is stationary but it is not that case.
Jan 17, 2012 at 4:04 AM
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RIVERMIKERAT
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Not necessarily. It could be harmonics. Do you hear or feel a vibration with the transmission in neutral and the car stopped while increasing the engine speed? How about while driving, throw the transmission into neutral and give it throttle.

It is a very outside chance that it could be the catalytic converter.
Jan 17, 2012 at 4:25 AM
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JOHN WOO
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No vibration on neutral and while increasing engine speed. When going down hill no vibration, except when there is loading such as going up hill vibration kicks in when speed get up to at times forty km/h however put more pressure on the accelerator the vibration goes away. It only happens when loading on the car and fuel is apply. Can it be the automatic transmission problem? Would it give this kind of problem if its the automatic clutch pad worn or something like that?
Jan 17, 2012 at 4:37 AM
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RIVERMIKERAT
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It could be transmission, torque converter, or engine related. But, from your description in the last post, I would lean more towards a transmission issue.
Jan 17, 2012 at 5:23 AM
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JOHN WOO
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Thanks. I shall give a go to have the automatic transmission a full service. Hope this fixes the problem. Shall keep you posted after this is done!
Jan 17, 2012 at 5:29 AM
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RIVERMIKERAT
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Okay, good luck. Tell your friends about us and do keep us posted.
Jan 17, 2012 at 5:31 AM
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JOHN WOO
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The problem is caused by a missing bolt at the exhaust manifold. Nothing to do with the automatic transmission. Disappointed with the exhaust place that did not pick up the problem during inspection. Maybe exhaust place only check the exhaust section underneath the car and not all the entire exhaust system all the way up to the engine manifold. Hope this helps those who have similar problem.
Jan 18, 2012 at 4:10 AM
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RIVERMIKERAT
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That loose or missing bolt must have been on a mount or flange. The manifold has at least five bolts securing it to the cylinder head. One loose or missing bolt in the manifold would not cause a noise, except an exhaust leak. Did they replace the gasket, I hope?
Jan 18, 2012 at 4:31 AM
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JOHN WOO
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Apparently just that one missing bolt caused the problem.
Jan 18, 2012 at 4:34 AM
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RIVERMIKERAT
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Huh. Okay. As long as your problem is fixed. Thanks for letting us help you how we could. Tell your friends about us.
Jan 18, 2012 at 4:46 AM
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MATI ULLAH
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Hello JOHN WOO.
Please help me i have the same problem.
Did you get the solution of your problem?

I am suffering from one month. Every day i go to mechanic i pay for nothing.

Please share your solution.
Thanks
Mar 3, 2017 at 2:25 PM
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STRAILER
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Hello,

They said it was a missing bolt in the exhaust fixed the problem which seems weird. It sounds more like an ignition system that is having a problem like spark plugs or an ignition coil. Do you have a check engine light on?

Best, Ken
Mar 6, 2017 at 11:23 AM
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MATI ULLAH
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Yes, i had once engine check lights on then the mechanic remove the power from battery when again he put it on. Then it disappeared.
Mar 16, 2017 at 3:34 PM
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STRAILER
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When the light comes on again please read the codes so we know we are dealing with. Here is a guide hat will help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Please let us know what happens.

Best, Ken

Mar 16, 2017 at 4:55 PM
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KARL00
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Hello,

I have the same problem and yes there is a check engine light ( code p0031 ).
is it possible that this is related to the code?
Sep 18, 2017 at 6:55 PM
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STRAILER
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Please post your question here:

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/new

Cheers, Ken
Sep 19, 2017 at 10:10 AM
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