3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
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Alright, so I am really sad to report that when I got my '95 Camry when I was 16, I didn't change the oil for a long time...i know bad me. Since I hadn't changed it for so long, dirt and nasty stuff got into my oil and was grinding at the seals (so I think) and now that I regularly change my oil, I have some lovely oil leaks, we fixed one seal when my Timing belt was stripped of the teeth (due to the actual leak) and now I just have one BIG problem...
There is an oil leak that is leaking directly on to the flex pipe of my exaust, and I can't even drive a mile without it smoking. I am NOT going to pay $1000 to get them all fixed when I can do it myself, I just need to know what seal it is. We are replacing the Oil Pan Gasket here in a few days , but any other ideas while I am there??? Any thing would help.
If it's dripping on the exhaust pipe (flex pipe i imagine) I believe it's either a top cam seal or a bottom crank seal. If you look underneath the car from the front is the oil comming from the right, left or center.
Right = Rear main seal (the car killer), distributor (if you have), valve cover.
Normally since you done such a shit job of taking care of the car it's probably best to do an engine flush. Pressure test the cylinders and cylinder head. Finally pull the engine out and change every single engine seal. Get a master engine seal kit.
My wife's 91 sounds just like yours. She never changed the oil. She was dumb and didn't know what oil was so she added anything that was technically an oil (insense oil, cooking oil). It first started leaking on the rear main seal. After we replaced that it leaked on the cam, next the crank next the oil pump next the valve and finally the oil pan.
steppinthrax didn't call you dumb, he called his wife dumb. Touchy, touchy. He gave you a lot of good info, be thankful and don't assume emotional intent from a text message when none was intended.
__________________
1995 Camry Wagon LE. 2.2 4cyl, 5S-FE, Auto, 187K
im sorry but i have been laughing 5 minutes straight at that
Even though she did all of that shit to it we put almost 200K on it before we sold it to someone. It was a good engine. The older 91 camrys are much better. though
Check under the distributor, I have an oil leak there, need to get a distributor o-ring. I believe this one is dripping on my exhaust.
The last time I had my engine/tranny out I went ahead and replaced that o-ring (had to get it from the dealership) and the tranny output shaft/tq converter seal, it's been great to have absolutely NO leaks,
__________________ Current Ride(s): 08 Pontiac G8, 02 Mitsubishi Lancer, 94 GMC Sierra
Former Ride(s): 93 Camry SE V6 5-Speed , 95 Camry DX 4-cyl
I have a small leak...just gotta find out where it is. I just got this car last week from my dad.
Does this engine have tube seals (lower and upper) like my 92 accord did? Cuz im getting some oil in one of my plugs.
Thanks!
A true master seal kit is supposed to come with every single engine seal. Almost like if you took the entire engine apart overhauled it and put it back together again. You can't reuse those old seals.
What your calling tube seals are actually the valve cover gasket. Yes almost all inline engines use valve cover gaskets. If it's leaking you can get away with tightening down your valve cover. You will have to replace the gasket though.
Are you talking left, center, right side when infront of car or under the car? And would this also be the same as a 92 tercel prob? I have an oil leak but cant seem to locate the leak on exhaust.
Thanks
Quote:
Originally Posted by steppinthrax
If it's dripping on the exhaust pipe (flex pipe i imagine) I believe it's either a top cam seal or a bottom crank seal. If you look underneath the car from the front is the oil comming from the right, left or center.
Right = Rear main seal (the car killer), distributor (if you have), valve cover.
Normally since you done such a shit job of taking care of the car it's probably best to do an engine flush. Pressure test the cylinders and cylinder head. Finally pull the engine out and change every single engine seal. Get a master engine seal kit.
My wife's 91 sounds just like yours. She never changed the oil. She was dumb and didn't know what oil was so she added anything that was technically an oil (insense oil, cooking oil). It first started leaking on the rear main seal. After we replaced that it leaked on the cam, next the crank next the oil pump next the valve and finally the oil pan.
A true master seal kit is supposed to come with every single engine seal. Almost like if you took the entire engine apart overhauled it and put it back together again. You can't reuse those old seals.
What your calling tube seals are actually the valve cover gasket. Yes almost all inline engines use valve cover gaskets. If it's leaking you can get away with tightening down your valve cover. You will have to replace the gasket though.
No..the tube seals are just that....tube seals. They are separate from the valve cover gasket. They do normally come WITH the valve cover gasket..but they ARE separate seals. I was just trying to find out if this car has upper AND lower tube seals like my 92 Accord did.
I actually also have the same problem with an oil leak. my mechanic said it was the rear main seal, but now that this thread is here, i have my doubts.
My oil leak is also on the bottom of the engine, but because I can not look under my car, and because the bottom is so dirty, i cant tell where it is.
This may help: as it leaks while the car is parked, the oil spot is near the center (vs. left or right) of the engine bay. If any body knows where this is, I'd gladly appreciate the advise. I do not want to spend 400 on a rear main seal repair if that is not the problem. Thanks.
I actually also have the same problem with an oil leak. my mechanic said it was the rear main seal, but now that this thread is here, i have my doubts.
My oil leak is also on the bottom of the engine, but because I can not look under my car, and because the bottom is so dirty, i cant tell where it is.
This may help: as it leaks while the car is parked, the oil spot is near the center (vs. left or right) of the engine bay. If any body knows where this is, I'd gladly appreciate the advise. I do not want to spend 400 on a rear main seal repair if that is not the problem. Thanks.
The Rear Main seal is expensive to repair, and many have actually posted that it is rare for these to go bad. There are a slew of other (cheaper) things that could leak and can be mistaken for the rear main seal. Try this, assuming you have 4 cyl. engine:
1. Try to verify if it is ATF or engine oil. Trick I use is to dab spot with tissue paper, then do same thing to ATF and enging oil dipstick fluid.
2. If reddish ATF fluid, it could be leaking from the tranny pan, tranny plug, speed sensor, or differential axle seal. If you could, try to get access to under your car and clean transmission/differential area really good with brake cleaner. Then take car for a good long drive with freeway speeds and look under again. Always check leaks from high to low. All of these items are not too much to fix, and most are easy DIY jobs.
3. If brownish/black engine oil. It could be leaking from rear main seal, distributor o ring, oil filter seal (not filter, but where it sits), oil pressure switch, or valve cover gasket. You can check most of these under the hood. Feel around valve cover and underneath the distributor for fresh wet oil. Do the same around Oil Filter area and oil pressure switch. Except for rear main seal, all of these are inexpensive fixes.
4. There is an off chance it could be leaking from the steering rack. This would be reddish ATF fluid, or possibly very light brown fluid if Toyota steering fluid is still in the system. This is another expensive fix, $800-$900, hope this isn't it.
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Since I hadn't changed it for so long, dirt and nasty stuff got into my oil and was grinding at the seals (so I think) and now that I regularly change my oil, I have some lovely oil leaks, we fixed one seal when my Timing belt was stripped of the teeth (due to the actual leak) and now I just have one BIG problem...
, but any other ideas while I am there??? Any thing would help.
, 95 Camry DX 4-cyl
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