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i tested the car on a dyno @ 70 mph & had a look underneath to see what was going on, the problem ? CV joints. I was amazed - never heard of - or come across a bad one - that does not present as clicking at full steering lock & only at speed in a straight line.
i've replaced them both & hey presto, perfect result.
So beware, not all CV joints fail as we've all been taught to expect.
I recently received a legal notice regarding the oil gel problems on Toyota and Lexus cars, which including camry from year 97 to year 99. My camry is 97 model. The toyota customer center told me that I can bring my camry to the nearest dealer to diagose if there is any oil gel problem and they can fix it for the problems related to oil gel, and not paying any other problems including diagnosing fee. Can anybody advise me how to diagnose by myself if my camry has oil gel problem or not?
Many thanks!
But the free fix was limited to 8 years (no mileage limit). Unless your Camry was first put into service in Nov. 1998 (unlikely), you're beyond the time limit.
Have you had the car since new? Has its oil and filter been changed regularly? If so, there's likely no problem -- after all the car's still running (fine?), and sludge usually manifests itself much sooner.
Even if you're not the original owner, the fact that the car is still going after 10 years is a good sign.
Of course, to be sure, you could pull the valve cover. But unless you're confident of what you are doing, you'll have to pay someone else to do it!
210Delray is correct-chances are you don't have to worry if you've been the least bit diligent about oil changes. There was a lot more fiction than fact on that issue, and the actual number of occurrences was quite low after all the furor died down. Turned out it was simply a case of not enough oil changing in most cases.
The legal notice you say you received may have to do with a legal action in Alabama or Georgia (I'm not sure which). It was one single action (the only one I know of) which recently culminated in a settlement. Basically the claimants get a fixed engine, and a few lawyers get fees and expenses. It wasn't much of a settlement in actual fact, unless you happen to be one of the lawyers!
I joined an online car help group to discuss problem this past summer to try to diagnose it myself but couldn't determine what color it was. I did the hand behind the tailpipe test to determine if it was water or oil and my hand was not wet afterward so figured it was oil but couldn't determine the color and since I drive very little I had no low levels of oil or antifreeze or anything else so I was stuck as far as diagnosing it myself, until I got this notice yesterday.
I also had engine trouble light come on a couple of years ago which is about when the smoke appeared and I took it immediately to Toyota where they rigged it up to their computer and said they found nothing wrong with it, so just shut the engine trouble light off, explaining that sometimes it goes on and there is no problem.
Please see posts #148 and #149 in this thread.
Is this possible? What are the repercussions if - 1. nothing is done (needs to pass TX state inspection in a few weeks) 2. Replace valve but don't repair computer circuit if or when diagnosed bad.
What could happen for option 1 & 2 above.
Suggestions and comments welcome!
-O.
Your advice would be much appeciated!
I was at my local dealer the other day, and the sign on the wall said $300 for a timing belt change -- I'm sure this doesn't include the water pump.
Check with independent shops and get recommendations from friends, relatives, or co-workers. Make sure you get an itemized estimate (at least verbally) so you're comparing the same job.
Do you guys think its something serious?
Did any budy report same problem in 2007 camry 4 cyl?
2oo7 camry 4 cyl made in japan
your inputs are appreciated.
have a nice weekend
You might have a defective gas cap! Ask the dealer to read the codes on this vehicle. It might be that the "check engine light" is being set by something other than the gas cap!
Best regards. ----- Dwayne :shades:
26K miles seems unusually early for an exhaust manifold.
(I didn't with my '97 Camry 4-cylinder.)
Car towed a few weeks ago, afterwards noticed shake in the steering wheel that was at times more noticeable then others (alignment?).
Last week, oil change/liquids topped off. Returned 3days later for car wash that came w/oil change that never got done day of. As soon as car came out, driving WEIRD: lag, noise. Pulled over after 1BLOCK: filled w/white smoke - radiator liquid shooting on top of hood, heat to MAX. Had NOT noticed it running hot, or weird, until pulling out of car wash. By time got it to mechanic (4blocks off), making weird noises, barely dragging. He told me: blown engine. Claims to have done diagnostic (NO CHARGE).
New mechanic: shorted fuse, blown distributor cap, therm/rad. Says other guy could not have done compression test w/car not starting. Don't want to pay$$$ to fix all, then find out need new engine too. HELP
If you are lucky and nothing else is wrong than the head gaskets, then it would probably be worth fixing (for a 160K mile vehicle). If you end up doing a larger engine job, having to swap the engine out, etc ....I'd personally consider junking it. You'd be investing more money than the car is worth, and there are other alternatives to get another vehicle.
Took it to a local shop to have them check for leaks, they found none. Mechanic said when he started up to move car back out to parking lot he revved engine and saw a touch of blue smoke. I have never seen or smelled ANY. They said the Cat converters work so good now you don't see it anymore. They didn't offer any advice, maybe thought I was smarter than I really am?
I did maybe lug it a bit during the 60,000 miles I had it, but in my opinion it was was one H E double toothpick of a cream puff. Haven't even had to do a brake job yet. Got timing belt changed at 89,000. Changed plugs at 52,000 and 89,000. Used the correct plugs. Have changed the PCV twice. Always use Toyota oil and air filters when do it at home instead of the dealer. Anyway, any thoughts?
PS it runs GREAT!!
Your oil consumption really isn't bad; just keep it topped off, and wait for the problem to get worse. You could go a long time before this happens. The cost to replace the valve stem seals is about $800 to $1,000.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I have a 1993 Camry I-4 with 135,000 miles on it. we have always stuck to a strict maintenance schedule. Swapped out spark plugs at 75,000 miles, timing belt & water pump at about 90,000 miles, oil change etc etc.
I have been noticing random staring problems for over 2 years. It used to happen once in a blue moon. Recently, however, it came back with a vengence. It happened 4 times this morning. I can keep the engine running if I keep my foot on the gas peddle. As soon as I let go, it dies. I ended up having to put it in Neutral to start and quickly shift to drive with the foot on the gas. The funny thing is that as quickly this problem started, its gone. When I got home. I tried to re-start the car 3 times and it seems fine.
Anyone has any clues with regard to this strange phenonmenon? Thanks.
Mike
Second, the fuel injection 'spider' may be malfunctioning--plugging or the timing is drifting off.
If the first fix doesn't help, have your dealer (or a reputable mechanic) look at the rest of the fuel system.
Back when I had my 75 and 79 Rabbits, VW was trying to claim 1 quart per 400 miles was normal, even when new! Yeah, right!
Now that you remind me, the 1 per 1000 miles isn't terrible from the past years.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I do think a quart every 1,000 is too much for that sweet, sweet, little 2.2L rice-burner. Plus, I have to drive 90 mi round trip every week - 10 days to check the oil. Since I started tracking it again, I've changed or had it changed no longer than every 2,000 mi, or a couple hundred sooner. Stays nice and clean on the dip stick, took a couple three changes to get it that way. I may add the Rislone, then change it a couple days/150 mi. later, for a test.
I usually used 1/2 quart. But in your case I would put in 1/2 quart when the oil level is used down after running the oil some. Then change about 500 miles later. Because the Rislone is a 5 weight oil it may use a little more so check frequently.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I think You are correct, maybe this particular 'unit', and not all '01 2.2L, doesn't like the Blend.