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Toyota Camry Engine Related Questions

317 messages,  Last post on Jan 16, 2013 at 8:23 PM

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

Messages Page 26 of 33

#243 of 317 2003 CAMRY BLOWN ENGINE AT 88,000 MILES by jamieb2

Mar 07, 2008 (8:17 am)

This car is in great shape and properly maintained by the dealer in which it was purchased new. The purchased extended warranty purchased, expired at 75,000 miles. On 3/5/08 at aprox 8:00pm we noticed a puddle of what we thought to be coolant under the car. Car running fine. We took it to the dealer, aprox 3 miles away at 7:30 am on 3/6/08. When pulling into the dealer is when the engine temp gage went high for the first time. This was noted to the service dept. We expected to hear later in the day that a hose was replaced, only to hear THE ENGINE IS BLOWN AT 88,000 miles. We were told the engine heated up and sheared off a bolt. Rare, but the were aware of it, it is a defect.. Toyota will pay for the parts but we must pay the labor. $2500.00. First, if it is a defect, why do we have to pay for anything, yes it is over the 75,000 mile warranty, but a defect. And, labor at this dealer is $95.00 an hour. Does it take 25 hours to replace an engine? Is there a consumer posting on how long is the expected time on a job? Watch for recalls and class actions.

#244 of 317 Re: 2005 Camry engine rattle [collegeguyjxn] by jamieb2

Mar 07, 2008 (8:24 am)

Replying to: collegeguyjxn (Mar 05, 2008 12:22 pm)
we have a 2003 camry which we loved until yesterday. 88,000 miles, running great, until we noticed what we thought to be, coolant under the car. We took it to the dealer yesterday to find out it is a blown engine. They said it is a defect. This had no warning at all until the leak. The car ran great, no noise at all. Ask your dealer to check it out so you dont run into this, but Im not sure what they can do to prevent it. It was a fluke I guess. They said it was a defect. Toyota will pay for the parts but we must pay for the labor $2500.00!!!!! I am still checking on this issue.
Keep an eye out for recalls.

#246 of 317 2000 camry manifold problems by dtingle

Mar 14, 2008 (6:52 am)

The manifold glows red hot on my camry. I just replaced both converters on it and it still glows red hot. I have been told that it could be the timing, but my garage ran it on the computer and said that it looked fine. Any suggestions as to why it is so hot.

#247 of 317 Re: 2003 CAMRY BLOWN ENGINE AT 88,000 MILES [jamieb2] by lmacmil

Mar 14, 2008 (8:07 am)

Replying to: jamieb2 (Mar 07, 2008 8:17 am)
You get an initial free warranty and optionally buy an extended warranty to cover manufacturing defects. You appear to want an additional warranty against defects for free. Doesn't work that way. You got probably $3000 or more in goodwill by not having to pay for the engine. Legally Toyota was not required to do that.
 
In 1997, my Chrysler minivan A604 transmission failed at 96,000 miles which was 20k miles beyond the powertrain warranty. This failure had been thoroughly documented in the automotive press as caused by a design defect and many people had been fully or partially compensated beyond the warranty period, including a friend of mine whose tranny failure at similar mileage just a few months before mine. Despite providing extensive documentation of this, I got bupkis. The only satisfaction I got was sending the last person who rejected my plea a picture of my wife standing beside her new Ford Explorer.
 
Good luck.

#248 of 317 Re: 2005 Camry engine rattle [jamieb2] by 5227mena

Apr 25, 2008 (5:16 pm)

Replying to: jamieb2 (Mar 07, 2008 8:24 am)
I had the exact same problem with my 2003 toyota camry, but the dealer ship told me that there is no defect or recall. There telling me I need a new engine that is going to cost me 11,000.00. I still have 8,000.00 to pay on my car. Can you give me more info regarding this defect. I would really appreciate it.
 
Carless in CA

#249 of 317 98 Camry LE Engine problem by sram3

Jan 28, 2009 (6:31 pm)

Hi
I have a 1998 Camry LE 4 cyl with 180,000 miles on it. I had a problem recently with the engine in my car. I was driving my car fine and smooth until one fine day when my car suddenly started making a “clanking noise” inside the engine when I was on the road. The harder I pressed the gas pedal, the more noise it generated. And at one point,, the engine just died and the car stopped. I had to tow it to the garage, but after an hour’s gap, I was able to drive it (again, but with the same clanking noise) slowly into the garage from the tow truck. The technician says some “connecting rod” (connects to camshaft or something) inside the engine “broke” . He tried fixing it but concluded that the engine is shot and it’s not possible to fix it. He said my car is junk now and did not provide any more details about what caused it. I don’t know much about car parts, So, I am not sure whether this gives a clear picture of the problem. Here are my questions :
1. Is it possible to tell just by the symptoms mentioned above the engine is indeed “shot”?
2. If the engine is indeed shot, is it sensible to go for a rebuilt engine? Technician says Camry engines are expensive and it is not worth trying to go that route. He says I should rather go for a used car instead of trying to fix this car.
3. How much will it cost to fit in a rebuilt engine into the Camry (including parts and labor)?
 
Please advise. Thanks for your help in advance!!

#250 of 317 Re: 98 Camry LE Engine problem [sram3] by 210delray

Jan 28, 2009 (6:43 pm)

Replying to: sram3 (Jan 28, 2009 6:31 pm)
If a connecting rod broke, then the engine is basically toast. A connecting rod, as its name implies, connects each piston (4 in your case) to the crankshaft.
 
I'd suggest looking for another car, as your Camry is not worth fixing with that many miles and years on it. A ballpark estimate for a replacement engine is $5,000 at least. You could certainly find a decent used car for that price.
 
But I'd get a second opinion before proceeding because your mechanic sounds too vague.

#251 of 317 Re: 98 Camry LE Engine problem [210delray] by sram3

Jan 28, 2009 (7:29 pm)

Replying to: 210delray (Jan 28, 2009 6:43 pm)
About getting a second opinion.... I have a question that might sound stupid but lemme ask you anyways...
The car is currently parked at my home. Would it be possible for a mechanic to identify whether the engine is indeed toast by coming home and taking a look inside the hood? Or do I have to tow it back to a garage again to get the second opinion?

#252 of 317 Re: 98 Camry LE Engine problem [sram3] by kiawah

Jan 28, 2009 (9:29 pm)

Replying to: sram3 (Jan 28, 2009 7:29 pm)
If he brings with him a compression tester and some basic tools, he can check whether it has compression in all cylinders. If a connecting rod is broke, that piston won't move up and down, and there won't be any compression in that cylinder.
 
However, the fact that you indicate the engine was clacking like that is the sound of something drastic, and you should have stopped driving immediately to have any chance at all of minimizing the damage. Continuing to run the engine could make it substantially worse, and you may now have metal shavings and parts all over your engine. With the connecting rod broke, it could actually break thru the block or pan and dump oil and/or cooling fluid all over the place. You could have a real mess if not careful.
 
Your description and scenario has all of the symptoms of the engine being toasted. At that mileage, you got your money out of it. It's tired, put it out of it's misery in the giant scrap heap in the sky. You could see if the local high school wants it to let the kids tear the engine down.
 

Messages Page 26 of 33

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