1993 Es300 Problems...

Zander · December 1, 2005

My ES300 has recently been having some problems. At first I thought it was the transmission because of the way it was acting but now I'm starting to think its the Fuel Injection.

When accelerating away from a stop the car would seem like it wants to shift into 2nd gear, but would hesistate to get there. I'd have to let off the gas and very slowly approach 2nd gear to get it to shift up. This was when the tank was nearly empty, I had maybe 10 miles left in it. Every time I would accelerate it felt like I was letting off the gas for 1/2 a second maybe then stepping back on it.

So I went and filled the tank back up and the problem stopped. Because of this I began to think it was fuel injection and there wasn't enough pressure from a near empty tank to keep it moving properly. I bought a bottle of that STP Fuel Injector cleaner and put it in and the problem still hasn't resurfaced. I'm at about 3/4 of a tank now.

Is this the same "transmission hesistation" that everyone talks about on the ES, or is it really the fuel injection? Do I need to do anything other than put that fuel injection stuff in it maybe the next 2 or 3 times I fill up? Anything else I can do to further diagnose the problem to figure out for sure exactly what it is?

Toysrme · December 1, 2005

Is this the same "transmission hesistation" that everyone talks about on the ES

No, that is a shift logic issue on cars a decade newer.

Do I need to do anything other than put that fuel injection stuff in it maybe the next 2 or 3 times I fill up? Anything else I can do to further diagnose the problem to figure out for sure exactly what it is?

Yes. I would recommend putting on a fuel pressure gauge & monitoring the pressure. Toyota systems generally run low fuel pressure under vacuum (Cruise/medium throttle) in the 30psi range. When you get around wide open throttle & vacuum decreases - fuel pressure should rise to the high 30's low 40's range.

You can also be the first person I have ever told to replace the fuel filter! (They're very, very long lived.)

Might as well check your ignition components. Plugs, cap & rotor, wires.

SKperformance · December 1, 2005

Look for a crack in your intake pipe.

Zander · December 1, 2005

Look for a crack in your intake pipe.

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From what I can tell theres nothing wrong with the intake pipe, I've checked it twice now and can't find anything.

Thanks for your advice Toysrme, how much is a fuel pressure guage, and how hard is it to install. If the fuel injection isn't working properly and the STP doesn't rectify the problem, how much is it gonna cost me for another injector?

I'll replace the fuel filter too, never done that, how much of a mess is that task going to turn out to be? :wacko:

goldminer49er · December 2, 2005

I would be thinking a weak fuel pump. i had a mini van that every time it got below half a tank the same thing would happen no power. New fuel pump and never anther problem. As for the injectors i took mine out and took them to mr injector and had them cleaned and tested for about $40. a piece all were good

good luck ray in seattle

xxxavier2k · December 2, 2005

Really think you should thoroughly examine your intake pipe for a slit

Zander · December 2, 2005

Really think you should thoroughly examine your intake pipe for a slit

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Even if there is a slit does that explain why it only does it on < 1/4 of a tank of gas?

I'm still waiting for this tank to empty to see if the problem surfaces again.

Merrill · October 6, 2006

Really think you should thoroughly examine your intake pipe for a slit

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Even if there is a slit does that explain why it only does it on < 1/4 of a tank of gas?

I'm still waiting for this tank to empty to see if the problem surfaces again.

did you ever figure out what the issue was? i am starting to have slightly the same issue, on my 1993 es300.