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Skiermang · 12-05-2007, 11:40 PM

Hi everyone. I recently picked up a new-to-me 1989 Camry DLX. It's the 4 banger with ECT automatic. I mean to get some issues fixed up and let my GF use it as her daily driver. This forum has been a great help already so I figure I'd post up. Here's a picture of the car on the way back:

We're jumping the car as it died on the way back to town. A jumpstart or two later and it made it back home. The next day I think I found the electrical system issues:

A bit of work and parts later and I have the iffy wiring replaced:

I've already taken care of the following:
* engine oil and filter change
* brake fluid flush
* differential fluid inspection (ATF can be black? Gross.)
* EGR valve and hoses cleaned.

To do:
* Front struts are hosed
* Clunk from the front driver's side over bumps. Thinking it's the upper strut mount.
* Motor mounts are toasted: motor rocks an inch or so after dropping it into drive or reverse.
* Engine occasionally stalls when coming to a stop when warm. Haven't taken it for a drive after cleaning the EGR valve, though. I look forward to updating everyone on the project status and hopefully providing some pictures for other to reference.

Skiermang · 12-07-2007, 09:54 AM

Got some work done last night. Pulled the front strut assemblies (much easier than I thought it would be), drained the radiator and pulled the throttle body. The TB was really gunked up and took a lot of cleaner and toothbrush action to get clean. I pulled the IAC assembly since the TB was out, but it didn't look too bad. Since I've cleaned out the TB, IAC and EGR components, it should take care of dying at lights. Next up: ordering a replacement TB gasket, strut mounts and getting those new struts in!

atobe · 12-07-2007, 10:44 AM

good job

TBayToyotaBoy · 12-07-2007, 03:31 PM

Welcome to the forum! It looks like you're dealing with all of the most common problems with these cars...now all you have to do is trade it in for a five-speed.

marc780 · 12-07-2007, 04:42 PM

interesting posts you have, what did this car cost you? Can you post some more pics of your work.

Skiermang · 12-07-2007, 07:30 PM

Thanks for the comments, guys. TBayToyotaBoy: All of my vehicles are manual transmissions but the GF doesn't feel comfortable driving a 5 speed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by marc780

interesting posts you have, what did this car cost you? Can you post some more pics of your work.

Thanks! The previous owner, my friend's dad, just wanted rid of it. I'll just say it was under $100 and came with a free tank of gas.

Here are some pictures from the other night's work:

My chilly workshop:

Just a bit of carbon on the throttle body!

All clean now.

I picked up my new strut mounts today. I'll be getting my new strut bellows and stops in tomorrow as well as the TB gasket and motor mounts.

TBayToyotaBoy · 12-07-2007, 09:20 PM

Wow! That butterfly valve was SLUDGY! If you're getting that much blow-by from the crank case, you may want to splice a little filter into the hose that leads from the valve cover to the tb...it'll catch most of the oil vapors and save you having to clean house every six months...

Skiermang · 12-11-2007, 01:10 AM

NAPA got a wrong motor mount in.

Proper part will be in tomorrow.

Throttle body is clear and clean, waiting to be reinstalled with its new gasket. Just gotta wipe the 4" of snow off the hood.

(Edit: now with pictures!)

Latest haul:

Replacement struts:

LET'S DO THIS.

Fuckin' compressor won't fit on both sides like the manual says so I got it as close as I could. Also, the damned white bump stop didn't fit right so I had to assemble without it.

And done!

Tomorrow: start other strut, reinstall TB. Also, get some gloves to work on the car when it's 14 degrees out.

Kingdom934 · 12-11-2007, 10:41 AM

Nice job.

I am sure going to need to do what your doing to your car....new struts. Every time I go over a speed bump, it's a row of the dice if i scrap the under carrage...and it's a given with people...

fredk · 12-11-2007, 09:06 PM

bump stops are easy to make from a sway bar bushing and a hose clamp, the are already cut so they slip right in and the hose clamp keeps the cut together

Skiermang · 12-11-2007, 10:07 PM

Second strut is done, coolant is as topped off as it can be with the TB off.

I'm calling it an early night tonight and will reinstall either the struts or the TB tomorrow.

Skiermang · 12-12-2007, 11:50 PM

Throttle body has be reinstalled with a new gasket and coolant has been topped off. Struts have been installed. Front and rear motor mounts have been replaced. Tomorrow: go to the Toyota dealer and pick up my sway bar bushings, throw the front tires on and take a test drive. Woohoo!

TBayToyotaBoy · 12-13-2007, 01:04 PM

Those stabilizer bar endlinks are pricey, aren't they? I had to buy them for the rear on my V6 Camry, and for the front on my Corolla GT-S. For both cars, they cost $211 per pair. Ouch...

Skiermang · 12-13-2007, 08:24 PM

Got the tires on and the jackstands out. Results of the test drive around town:

No more clunking! My normal route is filled with two or three potholes that test the suspension very well, but they were filled in between 7 AM this morning and 5:30 PM today. Front end feels very planted now.

No more dying coming to a stop in gear with the engine warm. Haven't tested this a hell of a lot but it looks promising.

No more engine rattling all bodypanels off and your fillings out. New motor mounts keep the engine in one spot. Still has a good clunk going into gear but I think it may be normal for automatics. It's a bigger clunk than what I recall from the autos I drove.

The hose from the valve cover to throttle body spews a crapton of oil through it. There was a small slice on the valve cover fitting side that was allowing a bunch of oil to escape. This may have been the cause of oil soaking the back of the engine as well as the burning oil smell. Replaced hose and picked up some hose clamps ($4).

I have to keep an eye on a possible problem. Either the transmission was hunting for gears or there was a gentle but rhythmic surging at 40 MPH going downhill.

The valves also sound very angry so I'll be checking those sometime later. Maybe spring, I was frozen, laying on snow and ice on my back, convincing the rear motor mount in and out.

I also dropped by the Toyota dealer after work and they had ordered the wrong parts. The parts guy had no idea why he ordered the part number he did.

TBayToyotaBoy · 12-14-2007, 12:12 AM

The 3SFE valves tend to sound a little angry after 100K+ miles or so, you probably don't have to worry about it--at least you should know it's not an unheard-of issue.

My fiancée's auto 3SFE gently surges just like yours, while maintaining a constant speed around 30mph (not while coasting, though, only while cruising). It hunts between gears very quietly, doesn't cause ride discomfort so I could care less.