Engine stutter during cold idle

[Joeden]

Wanted to start by saying thanks to everyone on here, you've saved me quite a bit of time while doing DIY repairs. I haven't posted before but I'm in need of some help, I can't figure this one out.It's has been happening for about 2 weeks. When the car is cold and I'm waiting at a stop light the engine stutters every 10-20 sec. Nothing major and it doesn't happen when I'm accelerating or once the car reaches normal operating temp. It feels like a misfire, RPMs drop and the car sputters a little. Explained below is a 1349 VVT code that I've been getting for a little while, but other than that no other codes. It's driving me crazy that I can't figure out what's going on. Any ideas or help would be great.2003 AWD Auto171K milesEverything StockHistory:Bought the car about 15 months ago and have put about 40,000 miles on it. I typically run full synthetic 5w-30. When I bought the car it started occasionally giving me a 1349 Code (VVT malfunction). I checked and cleaned the VVT filter and it went off. From the records of the previous owner I noticed that he had this checked out by a dealer but nothing was done to fix it. I typically only get the code once every 3 months now, but it has been coming on about every 3 days since the idle stutter started. About 1,000 miles ago I had a misfire on my 2nd cylinder, ended up being the ignition coil. Ran great after that replacement.What I've tried:Clean VVT FilterCheck resistance on the VVT oil control ValveReplaced Air Intake Manifold GasketPlugs (1,000 miles ago with the Ignition Coil)Cleaned MAFCleaned Throttle BodyCleaned IAC valve Checked for vacuum leaks (none found but I'm skeptical of my skills, any advice would be great)Replaced PCVIf any of the above sensors are bad will I get a CEL with a different code? Are there any ways to test them? Does this sound like a VVT issue, if so what. Any ideas would be great. Thanks.

[keithvibe]

the symptoms you are describing sound as if the intake manifold gasket needs to be replaced.

[Joeden]

That was one of the first things I replaced. No Change.

[keithvibe]

could also be the OCV or OCVFOil Control ValveOil Control Valve Filterhttp://www.diymytoyota.com/cel...vtl-i/Have either one been serviced or has the filter been cleaned/replaced?

[bull77]

my 06 with 145kms does the same thing on random cold day starts....stutters at a stop until the engine warms. hasn't been that big of a problem for me to bring it in.

[03VibeOttawa]

Everyone reputable, who I trust, tells me that the up and down idle is normal for the 1zz-fe for cold weather starts, and extended periods of idling in the cold (like at a long red light). My mechanic said replacing the intake manifold gasket would be complete waste of time and money, and he pretty much shot it down as a useless idea. I know a lot of people disagree with that, I'm just adding a counterpoint.

[keithvibe]

Quote, originally posted by Feelin’ The Vibe »Everyone reputable, who I trust, tells me that the up and down idle is normal for the 1zz-fe for cold weather starts, and extended periods of idling in the cold (like at a long red light). My mechanic said replacing the intake manifold gasket would be complete waste of time and money, and he pretty much shot it down as a useless idea. I know a lot of people disagree with that, I'm just adding a counterpoint. Really, my car never idle hunts in cold weather and it gets pritty cold in PA... and there is a known issue with the quality of the IM gasket leaking air causing idle issues. If there wasn't toyota wouldn't have made a different one out of better material.I added counter points to your count point.HAHA

[cq358]

Follow the link below http://yotarepair.com/whatshot.htmlIt look like the shim inside the VVTi actuator is worn out and make the vain not lining up properly when de-energize the VVTactuator ( idle/low rpm) ."1ZZFE Engine (or any VVT engine) MIL 1349. This one was a little tricky since, as it turns out the shop manual is not all that accurate until the 2003 issue. The vehicle ran fine but the check engine light came on shortly after we inspected for any debris and cleaned the screen by the sensor. The customer did not maintain the engine at our dealership so we felt that the cleaning would take care of it, wrong. To make a long story short the sensors passed all the active tests and the problem was an internal wear condition on the VVT pulley PN# 13050-22011,........The plate that the arrow is pointing to is where the locating pin rides that allows the movement of the VVT pulley. When it got worn the pulley would not return to the correct rest position the sensor was expecting and set the light. Now that was the easy part. You see the pulley is a little tricky to install. You have to really read the 2003 engine manual for this engine. If you don't and just bolt it on the alignment pin will not be indexed properly and the fun begins. You need to install it just like the 2003 manual lists (note the redundancy of this statement) and do not remove it once it's in place correctly, or you will have to get the alignment pin back to the unlocked position by blowing air into the passages on the cam (or take a 38 slug to the left temple). If all else fails you can take it apart (nothing flies at you) and reset the pin manually but there are no timing marks to act as a referral so it's kind of guesswork.

[cq358]

When I used to work at the dealership, one of our tech got one of these baby. Of course he didn't follow the instructions for lining up the actuator plate correctly as it listed on the repaired menu and he ended up disassemble and re assemble the poor lady's corolla engine like 4 times and ended up send the whole car to TCI for examination. That was 6 years ago when I worked there as an oil change monkey.

[Joeden]

Thanks for the info cq358. I've been doing a little internet/forum searching to see if this might be it. Sounds like it was a while ago but do you remember if the woman's car presented with symptoms similar to mine?The link you posted reiterated the need to follow the engine manual instructions very carefully. I have a Chilton's manual, but the instructions seem a little lack luster. Can you point me in the right direction of the appropriate shop manual for this repair, so I can read up on it and figure out if I want to attempt it.Thanks a ton guys.

[cq358]

My suggestion is based on your MIL 1349 code you mentioned previously.I Facebook message the tech, who is also my friend. I was lucky he still remember that incident about the lady's Corolla incident and ask him whether customer complain the car was stall or not.Here is what my friend said"no, no stalling.. only engine light on for vvti controller..end up they found out the problem jst coz by the camshaft worn out buy 0.0005."

[Joeden]

Thanks for looking into that for me. I think I'm going to end up replacing the actuator, but I might not get around to it for a while. Thanks again for the help.