looking at buying a '98 camry 5 speed 4cyl...any common problems?

[kingrukus]

I am looking at buying a '98 5 speed Camry 4cyl as a daily driver (it has 190k km with the original clutch - that is about 118k miles). Does anyone know of any common issues? I read through the FAQ's stickied, and there are a lot of good write ups for maintenance, but nothing really pointing at any particular issues.

Typically when do you guys tend to change the clutch on these things? Is it a DIY job, or if not how much does the work including parts typically run?
I also read that it is suggested that the water pump, timing belt and associated pulley/idler gets changed around 90k?

I have also read mixed posts about the I4's suffering the same sludge issue as '97-01 V6's? Is this true?

Anything else to watch out for?

I originally was looking for a Honda Civic EK ('99-'00), but these things are just as cheap now on the used marketplace, and seem to offer better bang for the buck, with similar fuel economy...

Thanks

[bigbird]

the biggest problem with them is the sludge problems. before ya buy try to get the valve cover off and check. other then that there arent any chronic problems with the motor. trans or suspension. for the 4cyl they do suggest replacing it at around 90K like ya said.

[islandboy57]

I think you've already found most of what you need to know. Yes, sludge was an issue with the 5S-FE but with routine and timely oil changes it's not a problem. As far as the timing belt - I'd like to think the previous owner already took care of it because otherwise it's just a ticking time bomb.. Not to mention, if they haven't changed the timing belt (cheap insurance IMO to keep your car working) have they kept up with other maintenance?

Nice Maxima by the way, that's my favorite gen. My friend's aunt has a '99 Maxima GLE which I drove once and I liked it a lot - black leather, Bose, moonroof, everything.. It's gone to hell now and looks like crap but at least I got to drive it when it was only a few years old

[Mike Gerber]

One issue that comes up on these car is the upper strut mounts can go on any of the 4 sides, causing a knocking noise when going over bumps. The entire strut assembly must be removed from the car and the entire strut/spring disassembled to replace the upper strut mount.

Also, the timing belt change interval on the generation 4 Camry (97-2001) was 90,000 miles, so most likely the timing belt change was never done and is coming up soon. Most Toyota dealers charge around $300 for the timing belt change on the 4 cylinder 5SFE engine. Whether to change out the water pump at that time is really owner preference.

As far as the clutch is concerned, how long it lasts really depends on the driver. I had a generation 1 Camry with the 5 speed and my wife and I put 173,000 miles on that car and never changed the clutch. On the other hand, I have seen clutchs go out in as little as 15,000 miles, so that really is a hard one to answer. Like I said, it depends on the driver. Changing a clutch without a lift is a challange. It can be done, but it's really hard work. I suggest you call around to shops in your area and get a quote on changing out the clutch, so you will know what type of expense you might be looking at, some time down the road.

Mike

[kingrukus]

Originally Posted by islandboy57

I think you've already found most of what you need to know. Yes, sludge was an issue with the 5S-FE but with routine and timely oil changes it's not a problem. As far as the timing belt - I'd like to think the previous owner already took care of it because otherwise it's just a ticking time bomb.. Not to mention, if they haven't changed the timing belt (cheap insurance IMO to keep your car working) have they kept up with other maintenance?

Nice Maxima by the way, that's my favorite gen. My friend's aunt has a '99 Maxima GLE which I drove once and I liked it a lot - black leather, Bose, moonroof, everything.. It's gone to hell now and looks like crap but at least I got to drive it when it was only a few years old

That is exactly how I feel, if the timing belt has been pushed off so far, chances are the car hasn't been well maintained. The seller has owned it from new, and says she has all of the maintenance records...so that will tell the truth.

As for the maxima, it was wrecked in an accident over 2 years ago, when a driver of an SUV decided to make an illegal left turn infront of it and she was deemed at fault...it has been replaced by an '03 6spd G coupe now, hence the need for winter/daily car.

[kingrukus]

Originally Posted by Mike Gerber

One issue that comes up on these car is the upper strut mounts can go on any of the 4 sides, causing a knocking noise when going over bumps. The entire strut assembly must be removed from the car and the entire strut/spring disassembled to replace the upper strut mount.

Also, the timing belt change interval on the generation 4 Camry (97-2001) was 90,000 miles, so most likely the timing belt change was never done and is coming up soon. Most Toyota dealers charge around $300 for the timing belt change on the 4 cylinder 5SFE engine. Whether to change out the water pump at that time is really owner preference.

As far as the clutch is concerned, how long it lasts really depends on the driver. I had a generation 1 Camry with the 5 speed and my wife and I put 173,000 miles on that car and never changed the clutch. On the other hand, I have seen clutchs go out in as little as 15,000 miles, so that really is a hard one to answer. Like I said, it depends on the driver. Changing a clutch without a lift is a challange. It can be done, but it's really hard work. I suggest you call around to shops in your area and get a quote on changing out the clutch, so you will know what type of expense you might be looking at, some time down the road.

Mike

From what you have mentioned, and from what I have read in the write-ups posted in the stickies, I do not think I would attempt to change either the clutch or the timing belt on my own. My tolerance for automotive self repair has gone way down, and I would budget about 1000 to get both of those items changed. That said, the price of this car is going to have to be very good provided that those two major items haven't been changed, and the rest of the car is near immaculate. I hear that the waterpump is advised to be changed around the time of the timing belt, apparently the gaskets and seals surrounding it start to go.


The upper strut mount shoudn't be an issue for myself to do, should the problem arise, I have done it already on a few maximas.