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Older Camry Maintenance and Repair

727 messages,  Last post on Jan 29, 2013 at 5:40 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Camry, Auto Repair

Messages Page 26 of 74

#243 of 727 Clunk sound not identifiable by technicians by camry002

Sep 06, 2008 (10:23 am)

I have a 2002 model 4-cyl Toyota Camry XLE in near perfect condition. Most reliable car I've ever had. I really like the vehicle.
It only intermittently, usually on initial startup, makes a clunk sound and it's hard to tell if it is from the front passenger area near the wheel or perhaps more under the center of the car.
I left it at a Toyoto dealership repair place for three days so they could test drive it, let it set for a while, and repeat the process. They checked it over and can't find anything and say it's safe to drive.
Anyone heard of something similar -- or have an idea what this MIGHT be?
Have new tires. Have new rear brakes.

#244 of 727 Re: liability [defcarpenter] by stevenq99

Sep 06, 2008 (12:16 pm)

Replying to: defcarpenter (Sep 06, 2008 10:19 am)
Seems like it should be like you were in an accident. They should pay replacement cost. Find some similar cars to yours for sale locally and show the insurance company. When I totaled my car they even paid sales tax! The pay out is negotiable. I would think they should be covering a rental car until you get a new car.

#245 of 727 Re: Clunk sound not identifiable by technicians [camry002] by 210delray

Sep 06, 2008 (7:01 pm)

Replying to: camry002 (Sep 06, 2008 10:23 am)
Do you have antilock brakes? (I'd assume you do since your Camry is an XLE.) The ABS system performs a self-test just after startup, and it makes a "mechanical" noise. See your owner's manual. The location of the noise would be in the engine compartment, toward the front passenger side.
 
I've personally never heard it in any of my previous or current Camrys, but my '90 Sable with ABS made that sound.

#246 of 727 Camry 1998 Low Oil Pressure Warning Light by lordm

Sep 14, 2008 (3:36 pm)

I have a toyota camry with 149K miles on it. I recently bought this car and have limited knowledge about it. Now when i keep the key in the ON position (just before cranking the engine) the following lights on the dashboard light up and stay
 
1. battery light
2. Low Oil Pressure Warning Light
3. Check engine light.
 
The ABS light is on for a few seconds and then goes off.
 
Now when I crank the engine only the check engine light is still on and the other two lights are off. Does this indicate problem with the oil pressure and battery? Also since the engine check light is on.. what is the likely reason for it?

#247 of 727 Re: Camry 1998 Low Oil Pressure Warning Light [lordm] by kiawah

Sep 14, 2008 (3:51 pm)

Replying to: lordm (Sep 14, 2008 3:36 pm)
Since you haven't started the engine, the low oil pressure and battery lights are normal.
 
You will need to find out why your check engine light is on. Go to an autoparts chain and have them read the error numbers from the computer for you. They'll normally do this free of charge.
 
Take those error codes, and write them down. You'll then search the internet with your model/make/yr, and let's see what the error messages are.

#248 of 727 toyota extended warranty by lordm

Sep 17, 2008 (8:56 pm)

My 1998 camry (149K) had the check engine light on. It shows the code PO446.. My mechanic said that it was a problem with the vent solenoid. He also said that the car may come under toyota's extended warranty for evaporative systems. I was wondering how to check if my car qualifies for this warranty.. and what could be other problems associated with PO446. Also the fuel economy lately has been very poor. Is this due to the same problem?

#249 of 727 Re: toyota extended warranty [lordm] by kiawah

Sep 17, 2008 (9:08 pm)

Replying to: lordm (Sep 17, 2008 8:56 pm)
Your owners manual or warranty manual should call out what is covered, and for how long.

#250 of 727 toyota extended warranty by camry002

Sep 18, 2008 (5:49 am)

Do you have a warranty with Toyota -- or a third party? When I purchased my car new and they gave me the option, I understood that it would be with Toyota. Wrong. Dealerships make more money on the non-Toyota warranties. So, whichever is your case, just contact the 'company' listed on your warranty form. If' it's a '98, you must have low mileage??? I think my extended warranty is 6 years or 72K miles -- so my warranty ended on my 2002 just this month. Good luck. It's to your advantage to have it taken in and have a record with the mechanic about this problem. Sometime if it goes a month or two over the ext. warranty, the warranty would be honored. J.

#251 of 727 96 Camry 4 banger overheating by timanole

Sep 19, 2008 (8:55 pm)

My wifes 96 Camry Le with the 2.2L engine is overheating. The original problem was the radiator. Overheated and engine shut down. Towed to mechanic and replaced radiator. Been back to the shop several times-still overheating. Have replaced radiator, relay switch, and thermostat. Now the radiator won't hold fluid-just disappears?? I notice smoke from the engine bay and it kinda smells like exhaust fumes near the radiator. Anyone have any ideas? He thinks it's a cracked head or block, but not the head gasket?? How can I tell if he's being truthful, cause now he wants to change the entire engine? What about the water pump-never changed and he never mentioned it? I don't want to put any more money into the car, if it is truly the block or head. What should I do?
 
Thanks
Tim

#252 of 727 Re: 96 Camry 4 banger overheating [timanole] by kiawah

Sep 19, 2008 (9:32 pm)

Replying to: timanole (Sep 19, 2008 8:55 pm)
If it's not leaking externally, then it's probably sucking the coolant into the intake manifold, turning it to steam, and sending it out your exhaust. You probably have white smoke (steam) coming out the exhaust.
 
Could be bad gasket, or something cracked....but you can't tell till you take it apart.
 
You don't say what kind of shape the vehicle is in other than this problem, but I wouldn't assume at all that you have to replace the engine.

Messages Page 26 of 74

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