Oil pan and pump

[cam01speak]

i recently took my camry for a complimentary vehicle inspection with the local toyota dealer.

they found out that the oil pan is leaking.....see this picture and
this.

they are saying that the oil splashes from the pan and that's why this pump (?) looks like this.
what you see in the pictures is directly behind the oil drain plug.
is this really a big issue?

my 2001 camry has about 71K miles to it. other things they gave me:

1. oil pan leaks
2. front seal+oil pump seal+o ring +timing belt change
3. drive belts cracked w/timing belt
4. and of course, my original brake pads and rotors.

they couldn't really open and see timing belt but they are suggesting it needs to be changed
every 60K miles. this whole thing they gave me will cost about $1400 (if not, more) with
the dealer. i am really against taking the car to a local shop.

i would really like your help and tell me your suggestions. thx.

[WhiteRabbit]

i wouldnt really worry about the leaks unless its leaking alot, just check the level and refill as necessary

the timing and other belts + water pump i would def do sometime within the next 10k miles

brake pads would probably be a good idea if they are wearing thin, machine the rotors at the same time

[Stillrunning]

Originally Posted by cam01speak

i recently took my camry for a complimentary vehicle inspection with the local toyota dealer.

Free is never free is it. I always suspect those "free", "complimentary" services.

they found out that the oil pan is leaking.....see this picture and
this.

I can't see much from the pics but it doesn't look like a leak I would worry about now. Keep checking your level to see how much, if any, it goes down between changes.

they are saying that the oil splashes from the pan and that's why this pump (?) looks like this.

What pump?

what you see in the pictures is directly behind the oil drain plug.
is this really a big issue?

Why not just wipe the area clean with degreaser and see if it comes back. Dealer could have sprayed oil there to create a non-exisitant problem.

my 2001 camry has about 71K miles to it. other things they gave me:
1. oil pan leaks
2. front seal+oil pump seal+o ring +timing belt change
3. drive belts cracked w/timing belt
4. and of course, my original brake pads and rotors.

You could take a 3/8" drive rachet with 10mm socket, choke up on the rachet and tighten the pan bolts a little - after you wipe the area clean and observe it to make sure it's actually leaking.

What does your owner's manual say about TB belt change interval? At least they didn't suggest water pump, so I'm guessing they do it every other TB change. The seals they suggested are normal when doing TB. They should have also suggested cam seal.

71k for brakes is probably about right if you've been easy on them.

Second opinion never hurts.

[dc_98_cam]

Suggest using a socket wrench to 'snug up' the oil pan bolts that you can get to.
The trick is to not over tighten the bolts ... which would cause the gasket to protrude from the seal area. ... Usually a 1/4 turn or so is sufficient.
Vibration and normal operation could cause a slight looseness in the gasket seal. .... Also might be interesting to clean the pan area with a degreaser and reinspect from time to time.

The timing belt replacement period has been a subject of some discussion ... Originally, the factory recommended replacing at 60k miles for the I4 engine. However, in '98 or so, it is reported that the replacement period was changed to 90k miles ... or 6 years, whichever came first. My '98 I4 only had 44k mi, but after about 9 years of driving, had a timing belt that had dried out, and probably needed to be replaced. The deciding factor was the water pump, which at this time began to leak coolant... evident at the small hole on the side of the pump.... a buildup of precipitate or mineral from the evaporated coolant.
Suggest that you drain and refill your transmission ...remove and clean the pan, replace
gasket...This will probably extend the life/mileage.
I would not worry about the front oil seal or pump unless there was an obvious problem ... This would be oil leaking from the lower timing belt cover area.... If nothing specific, then you could wait until 150k mi. for the oil pump and seals ... but not timing belt/WP.

[Mike Gerber]

The fact that they said the timing belt needs to be replaced every 60,000 miles, when it is actually 90,000 miles on the generation 4, makes me suspect everything they told you. Get another opinoin before doing anything.

Mike

[eurohazard]

Scam alert.

I love a "free" inspection that gives the dealership $1,400! pfftt

- Timing belt isn't due for replacement for another 20k miles.
- Oil leak? Is it really "leaking" as in spots in the driveway or is it just seepage? Of note though: that sure seems like a lot of rust for an Arizona car. Anyone else think that too? If you aren't noticing spots where you park, there's nothing to worry about. Like others suggested you could snug the bolts up your self, but don't over tighten.
- Drive belts can probably wait until the 90k mile mark, how do they look to you?
- I wouldn't be too scared of local shops. Ask around, there has to be at least a few good ones. Dealerships "should" be the best place to go because they typically only deal/fix that brand. But I have found they tent to overcharge, and often times the work leaves a lot to be desired. I'd rather get good work at a lower price. Call around too.....and often some of the local shops have workers that used to work at dealerships and have extensive knowledge of your vehicle.

[toyomoho]

The engine actually looks pretty clean.

How much oil is the engine leaking, is this the reason you brought the car to the dealer?

The part in the photo is a CV joint.

As stated a bad oil pump seal is leaking can result in a lot of oil being lost when the engine is running. With the engine on, look for oil dripping from the side of engine that the timing belt is on. The crank and cam oil seals can leak but not nearly as bad.

If you want to change the timing belt, find a third party shop (lower prices). When they remove the timing belt covers they will know which seals are leaking (if any). And then can change them at that time when every thing is apart.

As others have stated just snug up the oil pan bolts, not too much as they can snap off.

The brake pads should have noise makers on them and will squeal when the pads become too thin. The Toyota brake pads and rotors are great but the rotors are too expensive compared to what is out there in the aftermarket.

You can easily inspect the front brake yourself by removing the tire and looking at the rotor and pads.

[cam01speak]

what a plethora of information. i really like this forum.

first of all, oil is not leaking or dripping. according to the dealer, it is fine misting to the back while driving.
in both pictures, look at the bottom black thing and you can see i touched it with my finger. that was the one the dealer was pointing. i don't really trust anyone. may be the dealer could have sprayed it. who knows.

the fingerprint in that photo....that is a week old. i have been driving around after that and it has not been covered with oil smear. so, the problem is not that bad (i feel like a slylock fox :-) ).

the rust part....were you looking near the belt? i used to live in PA...lot of road salt and what not.

i think my manual calls for timing belt every 60K.....i will double check. other belts look a little cracked.
if u zoom in on the serpentine belt in the picture, u can actually see it little bit. i think it is fine.

do u suggest i go with toyota pads and rotor or like "just brakes" who will get this done for $99?

[camry man68]

The only thing i would worry about is the timing belt they usually should be replaced around 70,000-75,000 miles(thats when mine needed to be replaced), as for the oil pan the people above me answered that question thoroughly.

[MIC0417]

My Gen 3 went 110,000 miles before a TB change

[Kep]

The rust had me worried too but the road salt might explain it.

I saw the finger print on the CVC joint. If it is still there after a week then the oil leak (if there) can't be very much. I would recommend that you clean the oil pan area and the engine compartment and monitor it for continuing leaks. It is surprising how often the oil pan gasket gets blamed for a leak somewhere else. The oil leak drains down onto the oil pan, the low spot, and people say that it is the leak. Hardly ever is the pan gasket leaking.

Did the dealership tell you that the object that your finger print is on was the oil pump? If so, don't rely on them for anything else. That is the inner portion of the axle.

Look between the engine and the firewall. Look on top of the transmission. Any oil? You might want to remove the top cover of the timing belt cover and see if there is any oil in there. If there is then you will need to replace the belt soon. TBs are very sensitive to oil and water.

Take it somewhere for a second opinion and estimate.

Kep