When I start my 2002 Toyota Camry in the morning there is dark smoke from the exhaust. It is running kinda sluggish as well. The vehicle has 160,000 and as my mechanic moved has not had any scheduled tune ups. Regular oil changes and about 10k miles ago changed the spark plugs. Had the exhaust flushed but that did not help.

Vehicle Starts, Runs and Loses Power

http://whoisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/07/vehicle-startsruns-and-loses-power.html

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Its a hot start issue.

Can be related to low fuel pressure or problem with crank sensor.

Also it can be weak battery or starter.

But possibilities are to be inspected to confirm what exactly it is.------

To troubleshoot and confirm the issue,i suggest you refer few solved help links with similar types of problem like yours:------

Click the link below:------

1991 Toyota Trecel: Engine Starts fine but dies when gets Warm?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1991-toyota-trecel-engine-starts-fine.html

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1994 Toyota Pickup: Starts fine but dies in few seconds?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1994-toyota-pickup-starts-fine-but-dies.html

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1995 Lexus LS400: Running Hot?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1995-lexus-ls400-running-hot.html

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2002 Toyota Camry: Puff of Blue or White Smoke while Starting?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/2002-toyota-camry-puff-of-blue-or-white.html

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Multiple problems on car: Car runs hot, A/C blows hot and car starts surging?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/04/multiple-problems-on-car-car-runs-hotac.html

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Delay starting on Toyota Prius?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/delay-starting-on-toyota-prius.html

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Honda car will not start intermittently?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/honda-car-will-not-start-intermittently.html

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Vehicle Starts, Runs and Loses Power

http://whoisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/07/vehicle-startsruns-and-loses-power.html

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Intermittent starting issues on Volvo 760?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/intermittent-starting-issues-on-volvo.html

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Car starts and cuts off immediately?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/01/car-starts-and-cuts-off-immediately.html

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These details will help.

Thanks.

sorry, but it sounds like the timing belt just broke/ skipped on you.

Sounds like the engine needs and overhaul.

changing your VSS is easy , the hardest part is finding it...look around the housing near your CV axles..the differential in there near there is a 8 or 10mm bolt holding it in witha wire connector on the end...if you pull it out you will see a plastic gear on the end of the sensor.... YOU CAN DO IT!!!!

valve seals could be going use valvoline max life it will soften seals but it is just a band aid

It sounds like you have a blown head gasket, or maybe both head gaskets....it has all the symptoms of such.....

You are running a "rich" air fuel mixture, there is fault somewhere in fuel system...

valve seals could be worn out letting oil get into the combustion chamber making that white smoke.if you have alot of miles of miles on your engine it just be time for a rebuild or replacement

It sounds like your valve seals are getting old and are leaking oil into your pistons.As long as it is not using a lot of oil or fouling your spark plugs drive the heck out of it and look the other way when you first crank it up in the morning.
One other problem that will cause this is a cracked head or a leaking head gasket which is getting water on your pistons overnight. Watch for #1 low antifreeze in your radiator #2 higher than normal engine temperatures. This could be a serious problem that could cause expensive damage to your engine if not corrected.