# "Missing/hesitation problem with 2002 Camry

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/missing-hesitation-problem-with-2002-camry/36479>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** toyota, camry\
**Created:** [September 11, 2009, 9:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/missing-hesitation-problem-with-2002-camry/36479 "2009-09-11T21:11:57Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![PeterK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7993a0/32.png) [@PeterK](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PeterK)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 9:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/missing-hesitation-problem-with-2002-camry/36479/1 "2009-09-11T21:11:57Z")

</div>

Hi: My 2002 Camry does not run smoothly. The engine feels like it is missing or bucking at all speeds. However, there are sometimes when it seems to run ok, i.e., I don’t detect any missing/bucking. I had my mechanic who specializes on Toyotas look at it. He kept the car for a couple of days but could not diagnose any problem. I then took it to the Toyota dealer but they could not identify the problem either. They said that the diagnostic machine did not indicate any problem. Before I spend almost $800 on replacing ignition wires and spark plugs (mechanics indirectly suggested that), I wanted to see if anyone has experienced this problem. I used high octane gas for several tankfuls without any change. I also put a bottle of ignition cleaner fluid in the gas tank…still no change. The car has about 55,000 miles on it and has been relatively problem free since we bought it new.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 11:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/missing-hesitation-problem-with-2002-camry/36479/2 "2009-09-11T23:28:45Z")

</div>

It would be helpful to give a basic rundown of a) the maintenance history of the car - whether everything is up to date, and b) anything you know about what your mechanic & the dealer did in terms of diagnosis. There are lots of possibilities.

You might also clarify what about plugs and wires would cost $800 - ??

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 11:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/missing-hesitation-problem-with-2002-camry/36479/3 "2009-09-11T23:32:48Z")

</div>

Besides those $800 spark plugs and wires, I am fascinated by the prospect of a bottle of “ignition cleaner fluid”.

I have never heard of that type of product.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 3:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/missing-hesitation-problem-with-2002-camry/36479/4 "2009-09-12T15:18:56Z")

</div>

I’ll bet a corn muffin that he means injector cleaner.
