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Comments
Next move is to have the 1997 Camry switch to the same thing, but not for another 2,000 km.
Thanks
I have 148000 km(92500 miles) on my Camry and runs well so far. However, I do see blue smoke coming out of the tailpipe for a few seconds when I do a cold start but turns into white thereafter. Would that be the same symptom for the sludge problem?
I am pretty much all set to get a 2002 Camry,I've found one with the options I want on it and the color as well... I have a Camry all ready and it's a 94 and I've had it for 7 years, It'll be 8 years this coming summer.. I am getting a new one and my Mom is going to take the 94 Camry.... What I want to know is if there are any transmission problems and any engine problems? I love my 94 Camry, I haven't had any problems with the car, it's a excellent car and I am pretty sure I'll love the 2002, I just want to make sure that there's no bugs or anything in the 2002s...
Sunshine60105!
But since I have the car now I might as well just take care of it and hope that the issue is something that's blown out of proportion.
what kind of treatment did you get from Toyota regarding your complaint?
We have read about all the reports from various articles but we haven't heard first hand experiences from actual owners on this board. (Unless, I wasn't looking well enough)
Well, I needed to be sure the hacksaw still worked so I cut up 3 filters today that fit my car, a 1994 4 cyl Camry.- about 90% of camrys are 4 cyl.
.
I bought a Purolater Premium plus L14476 ($2.48) from Advance, a Supertech 4967 from WaldoMart for $1.97, and a Castrol MaxPro (WIX) cm4967 from K Mart for $3.49. This is really Donald Trump level finances – what ---$8?????
What I saw:
Overall height of the outside, and diameters were all the same, though the filter media size inside varied surprisingly. Weights were about the same.
The Castrol/WIX and Supertech had the same and biggest 8 holes on the base plate– Pureolater had 8 smaller inlet holes – I don’t know if that’s good or bad.
All the media looked about the same. Purolater and WIX were same color, ST was a little lighter. Non of the media was "fuzzy".
ST had AA stamped on base like some AC filters.
1. Center Tube Holes – WIX has the spiral tube and the others have a rolled and crimped tube, but the WIX has only a small number of flow holes, even though their holes are bigger. The SuperTech and the Purolater had both the same looking type tubes and lots of small holes, which I think is better for even and more flow distribution to the pleats of the filter media. The WIX had room for more holes. Winner? Purolater and ST
2. Bypass relief valve springs – Wix has a nice coil spring with the "range" you get with coil springs, the other two have the flat leaf type spring. I am not sure which is best. This feature may never be used unless you are starting in very cold climates or get the filter real dirty. Winner: ?????
3. Antidrain back valve – important to me as the Camry filter is mounted upside down. I think the winner was the Purolater as the surface it sits on is a rolled ring on the hidden (inside side) side of the baseplate that gives lots of places for the drain back valve lip (a piece of rubber) to seal. The base plate outside is flat and Purolater must have added this ring for a seating surface. The ST and WIX filters have the valve lip just sit on the flat baseplate steel, and the sealing surface is "reduced’ on the inside side by the flow holes and on the outside side by the spot weld dimples, leaving only a small sealing area.
Winner: Purolater in my opinion.
4. Filter Size. Even though the filters were the same height, the media area was not. The Pure and the ST were about the same height, the WIX media was shorter visually compared to the Purolater. The WIX media glue job on ends looked a little better than other two, that were about the same as each other.
Number of pleats: Purolater 52 ST 42 WIX 38. Are more pleats better? It may not matter.
I cut the media out and measured it. The media is not very stretchy even though someone said that earlier. If a piece is say 40 inches long when pulled out, you may get only another 1/2 inch out of it by really pulling on it.
The sizes I got were;
Purolater: 50.25 long x 1 7/8 high = 94.2 square inches $2.48 sale price
SuperTech : 40.5 x 1 3/4 high = 70.8 square inches $1.97 everyday
WIX 39.5 long x 1 5/8 high = 64.2 square inches $3.49
I was surprised the WIX was smaller by such a big number cause the box says it holds 20% more dirt than "the leading filter". Wish we could find out who that is.
But the Purolater has 46 % more filter media than the WIX. Either Purolater is "throwing away" lots of filter media nationally, or the WIX is too small or will fill up quicker.
Based on the bigger media and the better anti drainback valve I vote for the Purolater.
When they became available I switched to the Amsoil filter (Used their oil since 1000 miles, 7500 mile change interval) and the analysis indicated a noticeable difference in the level of wear metals and silicon that showed up in the analysis. Much better then the OEM Toyota. Not truly scientific but I believe IMHO that the Amsoil/Hasting, Mobil 1 and Pure One filters are the only ones to use and filter better then OEM.
On the air filter side a similar analysis has shown that the OEM filters do a better job of silicon reduction then aftermarket including the foam "lifetime" filters from Amsoil and K&N. So, no Toytota oil filters but Toyota air filters are the best in my experience.
By the way, you can save a bunch of dollars by ordering wholesale genuine Toyota parts (everything from belts to starters etc) directly from this dealer. I have used many times and the cost, including shipping is about 30-40% less then dealer prices. I then have my independent mechanic put them on if I cannot do so. http://www.toyotapart.com/
If I knew, I would prob buy those from the dealer - they are like 4 or $6.
They used to be japanese made I thought as they came with a seal over the end that you had to pull off - this was to keep dirt out. never seen that on a US brand.
reason I do not buy factory toyota is that some OE Honda filters look like frams with the cardboard and i fear Toy might be similar.
By the way Purolator Premium Plus filters are $4.99 here. Is $2.48 regular price at Advance? Thanks in advance for your answers. By the way, I have heard that AC Delco Duraguard are also good oil filters.
yes the 2 for $5 price is a sale but they run it ever other month it seems. Pure ones are $5
south carolina
HEY CLIFFY ask the parts guy who makes them for Toyota
somebody must know who reads this forum.
big question is; is it Japanese or US made?
~alpha01
You will have to take out the message and spaces in the middle of the URL's. Then copy/paste the URL. For some reason this site will not allow a URL longer than 115 characters.
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http://www.dorianyeager.com/ (remove space)oilfilterstudy1.html
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http://ntpog.server101.com/reviews/ (remove this message and the spaces) filters/filters.shtml
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http://kozmik.guelph.on.ca/gtdproject (remove this and the spaces) /fluids/oil_filters.htm
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how about somebody cut up a 4 cyl toyota filter and measure the filter area?
Thanks
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From my observation, the Toyota filter has noticeably more filter paper stuffed into the cylinder than typical filters like FRAM. If you go to the dealer they may have a small brochure on the filter and it shows a cutaway picture of the filter.
SLUDGE
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As for the sludge problem I think it is an issue for some of the last generation 4 cylinder engines beginining in model year 1998? Anyway, for someone who has the dealer change the oil every 2500-3000 miles, I can't believe some people would drive their cars up to 6,000 miles on conventional oil before replacing it! It's a grey area as to who's fault it is and I can understand Toyota's hesitancy to be more generous on their part with this issue.
A no brainer. Now ask them to compare their filter to a Mobil 1, Pure One, Hastings or Amsoil and see the diff?
Ken
~alpha
I have owned a 93 Camry LE and currently own a 98 Camry LE. Both of these cars have been great. My 98 though, despite having a slightly better power to weight ratio, seems slower than my 93 did. It seems to have to rev a lot higher to go up the same hills than my 93 had to rev. Both of these cars were purchased used, so I wonder if maybe the engine of my 98 was not as well maintained? My 98 only has 42,000 miles on it though (32,000 when I bought it). Would getting one of those engine cleaning/flushing things done next time I change the oil help, or does anyone else notice that the 97/98's are slower than the previous generation? (BTW: I check for low tire pressure pretty often, so I don't think that is it)
This is misleading because it's not necessarily the final tally. No one knows (including Toyota) how many MORE engines out there will EVENTUALLY sludge up.
http://www.kmov.com/business/business_stories/NEWS_020219_toyota_engines.html
Automotive News Article:
http://www.autonews.com/article.cms?articleId=38302
Thanks for your info. I tried to remove the front signal light plastic cover to replace the bulb, but not successful. I removed the plug-in pin on top of the housing, but no way I could take the cover off. Do I need to remove the battery and the head light first? Seemed very complicated. Please help. Thanks.
Kent
It seems affect most of V6 engines and there is no changes in design for 2002 V6 Camry compared to last model. I do not believe the statement of poorly maintenance that causes the sludge inside the engine. It looks like more design problem for Toyota/Lexus engines. Would you pay $$$ for Lexus car and then ignore to take care it ?
Anyone have this problem? Anyone have solutions? Thanks in advance for any help!
There is no doubt in my mind that when Toyota re-designed the V6 in 97 model year they altered a critical component or system and it is causing sludge in some engines but the common factor of why some and not others is the question. they need to find the cause of the problem because telling owners to chagne the oil every 3000 miles is not the answer in todays. competitive car field. Other manufacturers, including older toyotas with the same V6 92-96 do not have that problem.
1. I think the playback of the cassette deck is a tad bit slower. i.e; the same song on any other deck is the right speed. I tried a camry LE rental too, and it was also slow. Any other folks observe the same thing?
2. OK, I think the rear speakers must have cost $1 because they sound terrible and the only thing making up for it is the positioning of the 4 front speakers, but they aren't the best quality either. Even my 10 year old Chevy has better base speakers.
Has anyone else noticed these, and what solutions did you use. I would consider getting the speakers replaced, but don't want to spend too much, and I don't know which ones to replace.
Am I wrong/nuts for letting the dealer do the $410 repair....am I nuts for not spending $3k less on a Taurus?