1988 Toyota Camry Full Body Vibration

Tiny
REBEL_LADY1978
  • MEMBER
  • 1988 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 198,542 MILES
My Camry has recently undergone a lot of repair but there is still a major problem with it and this I can't figure out on my own. When in park with the motor slightly reved the whole car shakes. When in drive you can only go approx. 5 miles an hour. The motor looks like it is going to shake right out of the hood. I have been told that rebuilding the whole bottom of the motor is the only solution. I have also been told it could be the harmonic balancer, torque convertor, or that it has thrown a rod. I just need a straight answer so that I can either fix it or junk it! Please help!
Monday, March 23rd, 2009 AT 2:50 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
OK first off there is no straight answer without having the car myself so with that said. I would first check the spark plugs and plug wires. I would look at the plugs for signs of oil burning. I would ohm out the spark plug wires which should not exceed 25000 ohms per wire. I would check the cap and rotor and look for any carbon tracking. Then if all that checkes good then I would check the compression which should be around 178 psi per cylinder. After that is checked then I can give you a staight answer. The most important item is the compression test as this answers weather or not the engine is in good shape or not. So get back to me with some info and we can go from there.
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Monday, March 23rd, 2009 AT 3:26 PM
Tiny
REBEL_LADY1978
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
In the last 3 months I have replaced the starter, alternator, plugs, plug wires, rotor button, distributor cap, brakes, calipers, rotors, driver-side tie rod end, done an oil change, and replaced the air-filter, fuel-filter, and the serpentine belt.
As for having the compression tested, I'll have to see if someone can come to the car. At this point I'm afraid trying to drive it anywhere would just make the problem worse. Towing it somewhere is not an option I have available to me.
I'm afraid that it's going to end up a junk car!
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Tuesday, March 24th, 2009 AT 8:39 AM
Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
You should really have the compression tested so that can be determined.
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Tuesday, March 24th, 2009 AT 10:16 AM

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