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Toyota Camry: Problems & Solutions - READ ONLY

5279 messages,  Last post on Aug 22, 2006 at 2:43 PM

You are in the Toyota Camry Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Camry Solara, Toyota Camry, Sedan

Messages Page 397 of 529

#3953 of 5279 Re: 1994 Camry Carbon [stillwaterman] by haefr

Sep 19, 2005 (2:33 pm)

Replying to: stillwaterman (Sep 19, 2005 10:18 am)
It's called sludge* - and you got real trouble. Engine sludging in early to mid-90s Toyotas and some lower end Lexis models was an all-too-often problem - especially for owners who followed the semi-extended oil change intervals Toyota recommended for "normal service" driving (7,500 miles I believe). Toyota is aware of and has acknowledged the problem and offers owners of affected cars a fix - including a replacement engine if necessary. Get your car to a Toyota dealer and inform the service department immediately, if not sooner. If the dealer balks (some of them claim they're unaware of the defect or the warranty extension), contact Toyota USA directly. The contact infromation is in your owner's manual.
 
*Engine sludge (or the more correct engineering term, "oil gelling") is a witch's brew of partially oxidized fuel and motor oil insolubles held together by a sticky mass of varnish and acids that form from overused oil and moisture condensation - literally a cruddy, gritty, grease-like consistency, but it's absolutely no good as a lubricant. Hot running engines and/or engines with inadequate oil return gallery diameter are especially subject to this problem. Toyota's engineers miscalculated on the oil return issue. Consequently, oil tends to pool in the cylinder head(s) where it merrily "cooks" from the high heat there. (the cylinder heads are where the fire is made) When the issue was identified, Toyota made a running production change that allowed for enhanced oil return from the head(s) back to the oil pan. Late 90s and later engines have been typically Toyota reliable.

#3954 of 5279 Re: Toyota Engine blew up by unhappy10

Sep 20, 2005 (6:25 am)

Replying to: scoti1 (Aug 26, 2005 6:31 am)
I have a 1997 Camry with only 68,000 miles and it started having the blew smoke come from the tail pipe everytime I started the egnition. One day while the car was idle in the drive way, the engine blew up and pieces fell to the floor. I had the car towed to 355 Toyota and they informed me at first that the piston rode went thru the engine. They took the car apart and then said that the 3rd cylinder connecting rod bolt come loose and fell inside the motor causing the engine to cease. That there were no signs of oil buildup. I am not convinced because when I asked what would cause the bolt to come loose he stated that it could be because there wasn't enough lubrication. To me that means that oil wasn't getting to parts it was supposed to. The dealer wants $7,200 to repair the car. The Blue Book value is only $7,155. What can I do?

#3956 of 5279 Re: 99 camry vibrates on highway [ricarey] by bumpyride

Sep 20, 2005 (7:26 pm)

Replying to: ricarey (Aug 18, 2005 11:27 am)
I also have a 99 camry with134,000 miles on it that vibrates on the hwy between 65-80mph. The vibration is intermittent. 1 out of 5 times it happens. tires are balanced wheels are aligned bearings and struts are good. Usually after I stop and leave the car sitting for a while it corrects itself. When I stopped into the dealer an owner of a 2000 camry says he has the same problem. I can drive the car for a week trouble free and then it reoccurs. Any suggestions I'm stumped

#3957 of 5279 Bumpy ride by bumpyride

Sep 20, 2005 (7:28 pm)

The 99 camry vibration feels like its coming from the right front. The steering wheel just shakes.

#3958 of 5279 Re: Toyota Engine blew up [unhappy10] by psciortino

Sep 20, 2005 (7:39 pm)

Replying to: unhappy10 (Sep 20, 2005 6:25 am)
Would your situation come under the engine gel warranty? See message #3954, just above your message. Did you get a letter from Toyota as I did? Call Toyota USA. Don't give up.

#3959 of 5279 Re: 99 camry vibrates on highway [bumpyride] by psciortino

Sep 20, 2005 (7:42 pm)

Replying to: bumpyride (Sep 20, 2005 7:26 pm)
Are the wheels round? Some are not.

#3960 of 5279 Re: 1995 Camry Power Steering Problem [toyoman1] by duffner

Sep 21, 2005 (12:12 am)

Replying to: toyoman1 (Sep 15, 2005 7:04 am)
I had a serious Power steering fluid leak and my independent mechanic replaced a long, twisted hose that wraps around the engine. He says it is the first thing to fail in a Camry. He replaced it and then the pump leaked. He said this is typical also. He replaced the pump. This is the only repair I have had on my 97 and he said probably nothing else will bother me and so far, it hasnt.

#3961 of 5279 Re: Toyota Engine blew up [psciortino] by unhappy10

Sep 21, 2005 (5:27 am)

Replying to: psciortino (Sep 20, 2005 7:39 pm)
I was hoping that it would but the district manager is disapproving it. I am not convinced that it didn't have to do with the oil gelling because of the symptoms the car had (blue smoke and piston rode going through the engine) but the dealer said that a rod bolt on cylinder # 3 came loose fell into the motor and caused the engine to cease. No sign of oil buildup. When I asked how can a bolt come loose like that with only 68,000 miles on the car? He stated that one possible cause was lack of lubrication which to me indicates lack of oil. The dealer wants $7,200 to fix the car. Unbelievable!!!! I have written the General Manager a letter but haven't heard back from him yet. Any other thoughts?

#3962 of 5279 Re: Toyota Engine blew up [unhappy10] by 210delray

Sep 21, 2005 (9:28 am)

Replying to: unhappy10 (Sep 21, 2005 5:27 am)
Blue smoke may have had nothing to do with the connecting rod failure. The smoke is caused by oil seeping past the valve stem seals into the combustion chamber. When the car is started, the oil is burned and thus the blue smoke.
 
Just curious, how often did you change the oil? With a low-mileage car, the temptation among a lot of people is to ignore the time requirements (change every 6 months) and go by mileage. I'm not saying you did this, but I am just asking.
 
For oil gelling (sludge), there is now an 8-year unlimited mileage warranty, as long as you can show reasonable evidence the oil was changed in a timely fashion. Your car could be beyond the 8-year limit, however, depending on when you bought it.

Messages Page 397 of 529

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