First Camry Maintenance ?'s

[xcmtb83]

Hey guys,
I bought my first Camry tonight and am also posting my first thread! So here are the details of what I bought for $1,800. It is a 1995 DX Camry, 5spd manual, Black 2 Door, 4cyl, pwr locks and windows all with 94,000 miles.

I want to get the maintenance knocked out ASAP so I can start racking up the miles on the vehicle . I have did a fair amount of research on this site before I posted in an effort to not ask questions that should be self answered via the search function but if I failed to do this I apologize in advance.

With these kind miles what should I be addressing and or looking at for wear or replacement? I have already diagnosed the rear sway bar bushings so you don’t have to mention that.

The temperature gauge does not work. Is this common on 3rd Camrys? Either way, what would be some things to check in order to make sure all of the electrical connections for it are good?

The timing belt was replaced at 72,000 miles so it is not due for another yet, however I am pretty sure the valve cover gasket is leaking oil.

Is valve cover removal a requirement when replacing the timing belt?

Is a leaky valve cover gasket a common problem with this motor?

I want to replace ALL fluids and would like guides with the required capacities and recommended type of fluid. Is there a maintenance guide on here for the 3rd gens?

What company makes the best service manuals besides the factory Toyota ones?

Please answer any of these questions if you can, even if it is only one as I want to start in on this tomorrow. Thanks in advance!

[Jimnist]

Very top of the forum, there are "read me's", they will answer most of your questions.

Camry FAQ ------> READ FIRST -----> Comprehensive List of Gen 3/4 INFO and DIY

1) AFAIK, you don't need to remove the valve cover to do a TB job

2)Aren't leaky VCG common among most old cars these days?

[toyotaholic]

Go to an auto parts store and pick up a Haynes Manual, and some tools if you don't have any.

Check your spark plugs, air filter, throttle body, and most importantly yet fun; seafoam
btw,

[bigbird]

in addition to the ideas mentioned above. id replace the cars fluids(unless they look good) with some good stuff for good measure.

at thoes miles you shoudlnt have to replace much at all. timing belt and water pump are the big ones. for the valve cover...leaking valvecovers are common, they like to sweat alot and progressivly get worse over several tens of thousands of miles. its a good idea to change it though so you can get a look at head to inspect for sludge.

great pickup BTW...5 speed coupe with low miles is a very rare find.

welcome to TN

[JohnGD]

I'd drop the transmission pan and replace the strainer. Wipe the pan clean at the same time. Use a Fram ATF kit ~$12-15 that comes with a strainer and cork-rubber gasket. Walmart SuperTech Dexron III-compatible fluid works great. If you want semi-syn, their Supertech Mercon V is also Dexron III-compatible and is certified by Ford.

Drain/refill the differential chamber too.

NGK Iridium-IX or Laser-Iridium spark plugs.

Probably oxygen sensors and engine coolant temperature sensor (2-wire deal, in addition to the one-wire gauge sender that may not be working - verify gauge operation first).

FEL-PRO VS50304R valve cover gasket set ~$14 on rockauto.com

You don't have to remove the valve cover to do TB, but generally, when you do the timing belt job do the valve cover gasket too. These are no good and among the leakest after about 50K miles. You'll need dabs of RTV for the semi-circular plugs. While doing so check the valve clearances.

Here is a list I would do as a "complete timing belt job":

(earlier www.rockauto.com prices for 3/5SFE)
GATES TCK199 (kit of timing belt with two pulleys and instruction)
$84.79
GATES Part # K030295 PS belt $4.32
GATES Part # K050435 Alt/AC $12.12
FEL-PRO TCS45641 Cam seal $4.11
FEL-PRO TCS45920 Crank seal $6.04
BCA Part # 221820 Oil pump seal $2.71
AISIN (Toyota #16110-79185) water pump $58.79
FEL-PRO VS50304R valve cover gasket set $13.94

Originally Posted by xcmtb83

Hey guys,
With these kind miles what should I be addressing and or looking at for wear or replacement? I have already diagnosed the rear sway bar bushings so you don’t have to mention that.

The temperature gauge does not work. Is this common on 3rd Camrys? Either way, what would be some things to check in order to make sure all of the electrical connections for it are good?

The timing belt was replaced at 72,000 miles so it is not due for another yet, however I am pretty sure the valve cover gasket is leaking oil.

Is valve cover removal a requirement when replacing the timing belt?

Is a leaky valve cover gasket a common problem with this motor?

I want to replace ALL fluids and would like guides with the required capacities and recommended type of fluid. Is there a maintenance guide on here for the 3rd gens?

What company makes the best service manuals besides the factory Toyota ones?

Please answer any of these questions if you can, even if it is only one as I want to start in on this tomorrow. Thanks in advance!

[xcmtb83]

Thanks for the input guys. I think I am on the right track!

JohnGD - Could you please elaborate on where/how I would check the engine coolant temperature sensor?

Also, how do you know that an O2 sensor is bad or going bad? Should I replace it even if it is not causing the check engine light to come on? What are the benefits of replacement?

Thanks in advance.

[ASG14]

^ No. If the CEL is not on, or you don;t suspect the O2 to be bad for some reason, don;t bother replacing them.