The end of the road?

[dem2757]

I'm at the point where I'm torn between saving for a new car, or dumping money into the Ole Camry.

What would you guys suggest?

2VZ-FE 288,454 miles

NEEDS:
Struts rear (front is fine for now, rear sags considerable when people sit in the back)
Sway bar Bushings front and rear
Timing belt and water pump
Power steering pump / leaking hoses
Engine tuneup it is making a ticking / warbling sound (i think valve or lifters)
plugs and wires
fuel system checkup
Engine oil seals

POSSIBLE:
Head gasket(s)
Tranny =[


Would like:
New paint job
fender rust repair

OTHER THAN THIS LIST the car is fine and runs and drives smooth. You wouldnt notice any of the above listed engine problems unless you popped the hood and looked around. Power door locks wont lock but thats not a big deal. It has new cv axles and new tires and brakes. I'm trying for at least 4 more years with this car. But im afraid anything on the above list will end my 4 year goal.

Bottom line: Is this worth saving?!?!?!?

[71Corolla]

Some pics would be nice.

[blu_91_cam]

Honestly man I have a V6 and parts are expensive almost twice that of I4 parts. For all the stuff you want to do expect to pay around 2-4 grand. Parts for your NEED will run about $800 not including labor, but keep in mind that when your done the car will run for another 300,000 miles. So its really up to you, have a bullet proof OLD car or a MODERATELY NEW one.

[dem2757]

Originally Posted by 71Corolla

Some pics would be nice.

There are a few on the last page of the photos thread. its the red one.



you can see the rust on the rear panel, and the front by the mudflap is rusting on the inside out.

[71Corolla]

The rust problem is not that bad, there are far worse examples out there. There is a guy around here selling an AWD Camry that is rusted beyond belief. I personally would look into repairing the rust first, I hate driving around in a rusted out car no matter how good it is mechanically.

If it needs a head gasket and a tranny, that's getting into the territory of rebuilding the whole drivetrain. Tough call.

[dem2757]

what would you suggest for me to do first than?

[dem2757]

it has new axles. the only problem we have is that the O/D isnt kicking in like it used to. it isnt locking and dropping.

the headgasket worries me more than the tranny though cause if i pull the engine apart, i could find i need new piston rings, or the block or head is warped or cracked. but this car is so well built....

[71Corolla]

How did you determined the head gasket(s) are bad? +1 on the build quality, the Gen2 Camry's are the best cars Toyota ever built IMO, they are nearly indestructible. And they have a great ride, so compliant and comfortable.

[dem2757]

Well, you can hear air come through the heater core sometimes, usually around 2k ^ rpms. And it loses coolant ever so slightly. Water comes out of the exhaust when its cold too, moreso than normal.

[71Corolla]

Water will always come out of the exhaust when cold, every car does it, so you might be getting fooled. The only sure way to know if you have a bad head gasket is a leak down test and/or a combustion leak test. Before you start taking the engine apart, get this done. A leak down test is a GREAT way to find problems. You just put compressed air into each cylinder, and listen to where the air is escaping. If you hear/see air in the cooling system, bad head gasket.

Take a look at this video from Eric the car guy.

edit - a leak down test specifically shows the percentage of leakage. For finding a bad head gasket, you don't care about that. All you care about is if you see air being pushed into the cooling system. So you don't need a leak down test kit, just a way to put compressed air into the cylinders.

You Tube

You Tube

[dem2757]

is there a place that can do this relatively cheap? i could buy the tool (s) necessary for the testing, but once i start pulling plugs and wires, ill be replacing them anyways. so im really trying to save money haha

[71Corolla]

Call around, although it's probably cheaper just to do it yourself. That assumes you have a compressor. If you don't, then you'll need to take it in. But you need to get it done, there is simply no point in pulling the heads if you don't have to! If you have a shop do it, I personally would request to see the process if they claim a bad head gasket.

How is access to the rear bank on that engine? On the 3VZ, I can get to the rear plugs with a bit of patience. But on the 2VZ, not so sure, the engine is in there pretty tight.

[dem2757]

i can reach my hand around the back and in between the plenum. but itd definitely be easier to pull off the intake. that rear bank is literally 2 inches from the firewall at its closest. right now it is leaking oil onto the exhaust manifold too

[71Corolla]

Oil leaks are always fixable and not that hard, just time consuming. Well except the rear main seal of course. Find a place that knows how to do a leak down test, it will be good money invested. I did one myself on my 3VZ because I'm paranoid, no leaking into the cooling system. I then did a timing belt job, water pump, crank and cam seals, valve cover gaskets including the "half moon" plugs and spark plug seals. I still need to do the oil filter housing O-ring and oil pan as well.

[dem2757]

thats what i thought. basically im more worried about the engine noise and the head gasket. i love this car, just it seems that a newer one is might be better now =[