3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
I've got a 96 Camry with the 5sfe 2.2, and keep up ridiculously with maintenance and routine fluid changes ESPECIALLY OIL. I'm Driving at 65 mph down the highway at a normal RPM and all at the same time I hear an intense knocking and the oil pressure light comes on for all of one second, and then disappears. The oil pressure light is now off, and I am now left with the sickest knock you've ever heard. Checked the oil levels and it is full. The knock is definitely from the lower end of the motor, and My conclusion is that it is roasted. I've already accepted the fact that I need to swap it out, but my question is simply WHAT THE **** ?!?!? I've read time and time again 5sfe's running strong for over 200k, and mine pukes at 115k? any suggestions / comments as to why so instantly, randomly do I lose a bearing like that?
No way to save it. After the knock I made it 5 miles home after spinning the bearing... with the oil pressure light coming on and off intermittently, which leads me to believe the oil pump went. anyway with that 5 miles the knock went from oh **** what's that to **** it I'll make it home...and barely did. the motor is toast. Changed oil every 3500 mi. with exxon conventional oil and a standard fram filter religiously. I stuck with conventional because the inside of the head looked...very dirty from inside the cap view....and didnt want to disturb any of the "gunk" that might have been holding an inner seal together. Now, It wasn't insanely dirty, but not as clean as I would've liked. it is a "dirty cap" car.
depending on how mechanically savy you are, you would have to drop the oil pan and remove the rod bearings and inspect the bearings and crank shaft, I think the crank bearings should be just fine... ps fram oil filters have never hurt anybody
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I build cars the way I build them, anybody who thinks any different, well... they're just wrong
Why would a Fram filter, or any other generally reasonable filtering device cause a spun bearing?
Fram filters are notorious for being of poor quality. There have been instances of them falling apart basically and clogging up oil passages.
That is not to say that's likely. Ive used them before without any issue, but there are better quality filters for the same price if not cheaper. AC Delco filters are one example.
I doubt the filter caused him to spin a bearing, nor does anyone with a fram filter need torun out and change there filter asap. Theyve just gained rep of being cheap, but quick lube places use filters that are ALOT worse, as in they cost 75 cents each.
Exxon oil? i cant vouch for them but in a engine that is prone to sludge i'd at least go for a better known oil and have it at least be synthetic blend or a full synthetic. you get that at a gas station or something ?
Post 1996 ones are known as sludge makers. It's after 96 that Toyota cranked up the heat to meet stricter emissions requirements. So if you have sludge or varnish in a 96, the engine may not have been maintained well before you got it.
Exxon (= Esso = Mobil) should be fine. Don't see problems with it because Toyota sells re-branded Mobil dino oil. I had problems with Fram's anti-drainback valve not working and noisy start ups. So I used a Fram filter ONCE. That's it. Now it's Purolator PureOne, Motorcraft, Bosch Filtech, Mobil-1 (made by Champion Labs).
I think oil starvation contributed to the sudden failure. The oil light may be a result of the excessive bearing clearance so it probably just showed the result of the failure.
Take off the valve cover and take a picture for us.
Don't pay any attention to the bullshit RE Exxon oil / Fram filters. At 3500 mile intervals, a good dino oil (which Exxon is) and a reasonably OK filter (which Fram is) should have been more than adequate.
Shit happens. From the symptoms, it almost sounds like your oil pump pickup got a load of crap in it (rather common in a heavily sludged engine, but shouldn't have happened if your rig was maintained as you say from the get-go), and one or more critical bearings got oil starved. Be interesting to see the results of a teardown.
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96 camry 115k spun bearing
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