97 Camry + oil leak. Advice? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Gamble · 03-10-2010, 04:05 PM

I have a nasty oil leak and never got a chance to look at it until yesterday it's coming from the timing cover, so I think it's the oil pump O-ring. What else should I replace while I'm down there?
Anyone have a writeup,how to or know about how long and difficult this is?
Does autozone stock these parts?

I can do it this weekend but I need it done as fast as possible incase I get called into work. So any tips,tricks, advice etc would be appreciated!

Retrospekt · 03-10-2010, 04:24 PM

There is a very comprehensive timing belt tutorial. While you're down there, do everything. Belt, water pump, all related seals. Don't buy these parts from autozone: they are far too important. If anything get GATES or AISIN parts from the internet. But you really should go to the stealership for these.

Use the search function to find the timing belt thread.

Gamble · 03-10-2010, 04:32 PM

The timing belt, water pump and such were done at 151k miles, car has 180k so I'm going to leave that stuff alone.

What other seals? Got a link to the timing belt thread? I didn't see it, but searching again.

***zythr*** · 03-10-2010, 05:59 PM

Crankshaft, camshaft, oil. As far as TB, if you have a service manual, it has the info, if you can't find it online. Suffice it to say, it is a lot of work.

1996camry · 03-10-2010, 06:15 PM

Here is the link for DIY timebelt
DIY: GEN3 Timing Belt + Waterpump + Oil Seal Change - Part 1

Link for reference OEM part # below
http://www.toyodiy.com/parts/

I don't remember the website for purchasing OEM Toyota parts online, but I know someone can provide the link for him.

You expect to spend 1 day for this timebelt work since if this is your first time doing it.

hill8570 · 03-10-2010, 06:34 PM

For OEM parts, probably Town and Country Toyota in Charlotte, NC is the best current bet -- their prices are as good as any I've seen, and they're currently running free shipping for the month of March.

Gamble · 03-13-2010, 01:58 PM

Well I am just about 60min into this and have it all apart, crank pulley and all. Just gotta line up the timing marks and such. The only thing I had to look up so far was which bolts to loosen to take off the power steering belt.

AlmightyCamry777 · 03-13-2010, 02:00 PM

Good luck, i would actually do go ahead and hchange the t-belt because unless you are lucky, it is probably soaked.

Gamble · 03-13-2010, 02:04 PM

Looks dry so far. I am pulling the plugs out now to line up the marks and check out the belt. I will report back. Oops just hit the 1 hour mark. I am making good time I think.

Gamble · 03-14-2010, 07:30 PM

All done. Timing belt was dry.
Took about 5hrs when it was all said and done. Things I wasted time on, 2 smoke breaks, 1 phone call, checking my phone for texts which would not stop. I was getting so angry! I had to check them for work but luckily it wasn't work.
Getting the old seals out sucked, I broke 2 picks. I greased the crap out of the new seals and the only one that gave me problems was the cam seal, it wouldn't sit all the way so I had to get creative to get it in all the way.
The Oring for the oil pump I had to use rtv to get it to stay on while I put the assembly back on.
Finding the timing marks on this car suck big time, so hard to see. I got a very tiny flat blade to go into the hole on the cam gear to find the notch and the notches on the timing gear couldn't of been any harder to see. I got it all done and realized I put that gold plate that goes between the gear and crank pulley, I put it on the inside of the gear, so I had to take it back apart, no big deal.
I also got some new E3 spark plugs and she idles really well and is much smoother, no more oil leaks so I'm good to go. Next is an oil change and I'm done, but that can wait for now.
What kind of mad me mad was I had all the bolts for the oil pump assembly on the floor in order of where they went and my dad moved them all so I had to play guess and check for like 20min.
I didn't use any air tools taking it apart but putting it together saved a few minutes using a 1/4" air ratchet and swivel (universal) for the bolts for the dogbone bracket.
Next I have to clean out the iac/isc and I may have a vacuum leak, the plugs were really white so it's running kind of on the lean side.

All in all it wasn't a terrible job. I'm switching to syntheic oil to keep the seals soft so they last longer. Taking the car apart was a BREEZE, I had everything apart in an hour for the most part.
Thanks for the help guys, I appreciate it.