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Toyota Camry Basic Maintenance Questions

596 messages,  Last post on Oct 05, 2009 at 3:02 PM

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

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#574 of 596 Re: 01 Camry Idle/Stall Problem [bma3] by quarkster Aug 28, 2009 (9:54 am)
Replying to: bma3 (Aug 18, 2009 4:56 pm) bma3 -   (It would be useful for you to specify if you have a 4 cylinder or 6 cylinder engine; failures and fixes may be different for the two engines.)   First, it is EXTREMELY unlikely that the ECM and multiple fuel injectors would fail simultaneously. If you use good quality fuel, injectors should last at least 150K miles. EMC failures are extremely rare, unless the car was a hurricane salvage vehicle.  I would NOT trust this dealer's diagnosis, and especially the $3K repair estimate.   Camry's have a known issue with sticky Idle Air Control Valve (IAC valve) that causes stalling symptoms similar to what you describe. This is generally more frequent if you do lots of stop-and-go driving, or mostly short trips. The valve can be easily cleaned with a can of spray cleaner (like CRC brand Mass Airflow Sensor Cleaner), and should operate correctly for at least 25-30K miles between cleanings. The dealer will NEVER clean a valve, they will always want to replace it at $200-$250 or more.   Here is a recommended list of things to do & check. If you can't perform these operations yourself, find a reputable Toyota independent repair shop, or try a different dealer:   1. Verify that the Idle Air Control Valve is functioning correctly. The most common symptom of an IAC problem is very low idle speed (500 RPM or less) immediately after a start (can be at cold start, or after a hot re-start). Problems with the IAC usually don't trigger the "check engine" light. 2. Replace the fuel filter; 3. Run several bottles of a quality fuel injector cleaner (Chevron Techron Concentrate Plus) through several consecutive tanks of fuel. This should remove any significant deposits from the fuel injectors. 4. Check the operation of the Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve. Any defect in the EGR valve may also cause idle speed & stalling problems. ERG problems may or may not trigger the check engine light. 5. If it's a 4-cylinder, have a compression check done. Some of these engines develop a valve clearance problem (zero clearance) on one cylinder that can prevent the valve from closing completely, causing rough-running or stalling. This is easliy corrected via a valve adjustment. 6. If you are not doing so, switch to a "Tier One" gasoline. These are gasoline brands that have passed rigorous engine deposit testing by car manufacturers. Check on-line for the latest Tier One listings. Use whatever GRADE of gasoline is recommended in your owner's manual (regular 87 octane for almost all Camrys).   Let us know what you find, and what the "final fix" is.   Regards, Quarkster
#575 of 596 Re: Power steering fluid replacement [jmgar] by quarkster Aug 28, 2009 (10:20 am)
Replying to: jmgar (Aug 04, 2009 8:49 am) It really depends on your maintenance philosophy, and how long you intend to keep the car. The REAL reason to change power steering fluid is to extend the life of the $$$ expensive and difficult to replace power steering rack, which is what the power steering fluid actually "powers". As far as I know, older Mercedes Benz were the only vehicles to use filters in the power steering systems, so in other vehicles (Toyotas included) all the wear debris from the PS pump and the steering rack gradually accumulate in the fluid and circulate endlessly whenever the engine is running. Changing the fluid at 30k miles may be slightly overkill, but every 50K miles is reasonable. It's so easy to do, and so inexpensive, that it's really cheap insurance to protect a $3,000+ steering rack & pump system. A well-maintained and conservatively-driven Toyota Camry should be capable of 250-300K miles without MAJOR repairs to the powertrain, so a little low-cost maintenance of the power steering system would seem to be reasonable investment.   Quarkster
#576 of 596 Camry 3.0L V6 valve clearance adjustment: correction by quarkster Aug 30, 2009 (6:58 pm)
Oops ....   The Camry described in post #573 is a 1998 model, not a 2000. I was somehow thinking of my 2000 4-Runner when writing about the Camry. Actual mileage on the Camry is now 177,000 miles.   Quarkster
#577 of 596 toyota 99 Solara part Strut by tasay Aug 31, 2009 (8:31 am)
Hi All, I am looking to get a good price on struts for my Solara 99 V6. Where on the internet is the best place to get toyota parts?   Thanks.
#578 of 596 Oil Viscosity Changes by crazedcommuter Sep 12, 2009 (8:33 am)
My 2008 4 cyl. Solara states that 5W 20 or 0W 20 should be used, however some of my neighbors stated that the Toyota dealers have put 5W 30 and 10W 30 in thier engines when taken in for service. Will this cause engine issues? Replies to this message: kiawah (Sep 12, 2009 8:44 am) crazedcommuter (Sep 12, 2009 9:26 pm) mcdawgg (Sep 13, 2009 3:46 pm) 210delray (Sep 14, 2009 6:17 pm)
#579 of 596 Re: Oil Viscosity Changes [crazedcommuter] by kiawah Sep 12, 2009 (8:44 am)
Replying to: crazedcommuter (Sep 12, 2009 8:33 am) Not an oil expert, but I'd suspect they'd have slightly more internal oil resistance in the engine so that it wouldn't get as good gas mileage. But it's probably very small. Replies to this message: crazedcommuter (Sep 12, 2009 9:26 pm)
#580 of 596 Re: Oil Viscosity Changes [kiawah] by crazedcommuter Sep 12, 2009 (9:26 pm)
Replying to: kiawah (Sep 12, 2009 8:44 am) Is 5w 30 a viable alternative to 5w 20? I've read articles that stated the 5w 20 was created to be thinner and slicker to help the factories achieve better total MPG across their fleets. I don't see how using 5w 30 in a 5w 20 spec will cause damage if the dealers are using it in that very situation.
#581 of 596 Re: Oil Viscosity Changes [crazedcommuter] by mcdawgg Sep 13, 2009 (3:46 pm)
Replying to: crazedcommuter (Sep 12, 2009 8:33 am) If the dealers did it, then it won't be a problem if something happens to the engine during the warranty period (5 year, 60k miles). However, if anyone else did this, then Toyota could deny the warranty and you'd have to fight with them. Replies to this message: 210delray (Sep 14, 2009 6:17 pm)
#582 of 596 Re: Oil Viscosity Changes [mcdawgg] by 210delray Sep 14, 2009 (6:17 pm)
Replying to: mcdawgg (Sep 13, 2009 3:46 pm) Agree totally. Use the oil recommended by Toyota, not by dealers too lazy to stock the proper oil viscosities.
#583 of 596 rotating tires by chris789 Sep 21, 2009 (11:17 am)
I was going to have someone rotate my tires on my 2010 camry and wondered if the front tires will need to be balanced? if so then will they need to be re-balanced at every rotation?   tia, Chris Replies to this message: kiawah (Sep 21, 2009 11:51 am) mcdawgg (Sep 21, 2009 3:54 pm)

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