1999 Camry 4 Cyl Valve Stems ???

[BigDog4All]

Ok I'm getting that smoke at startup when Camry has set for a day or two.
Other than that, car runs just fine.

Does anyone know what a good estimate would be to get the valve stems replaced / installed? And if I do, what other items would need to be replaced while in the area? Also, is this a DIY'ers weekend job?

Thanks...

[toyomoho]

Typically the head is removed to change the seals. As such this is a good opportunity to do a valve job. Figure about 8 hours of shop time plus the cost of valve job and gaskets, etc.

It is possible to change the seals with the head on, this a weekend task but the only expense is the cost of seals. About $40 if purchased after market.

The link below provides some info on this job. It is for a Supra but the idea is the same.

http://www.mkivsupra.net/vbb/showthread.php?t=49859

[Mike Gerber]

Before jumping to the conclusion that the seals need to be replaced, I would suggest monitoring your oil consumption for a while. You may be burning only an insignicant amount of oil.

Also, when asking what other items need to be replaced in that area, it would be a good idea to indicate the current mileage on the car.

Just a thought.

Mike

[BigDog4All]

It's got about 124,000.

Buring any oil at all is not a good thing, as I see it.

Have had all maintenance up to date.....Oil changes, timing belt, water pump, seals, etc. Even wheel balances and brakes.....

I will have to monitor the oil consumption....I never see the oil low since I change at every 3 - 4K.

You can't see it from inside the car, drivers seat. You have to be outside looking at the exhaust.

[96CamrySport]

a stuck pcv valve can cause oil to be forced into the intake manifold, also causing similar fault. Fought that on an old Lexus es250 and saved my shop the cost of pulling the heads. Didn't really matter in the end; that motor's oil pump ate itself two months later. Try seafoaming the intake and see if the problem goes away the next couple days. Also, you're sure it's oil? bluish smoke?

to do the valve seals with the head on, you need a steady supply of compressed air to keep the valves from falling out. Also need to remove cams and valve shims (and keep them organized) and have a bolt-on valve spring compressor to reinstall the valve springs after replacing seals (removing valve springs is easy).

there's a reason most shops outsource head stuff to machine shops.