167K Servicing Questions

[groovemasterodi]

Hey guys, had some questions.

My Camry is about to roll over 167,000 miles and was just curious as to what I might be expecting in the future as far as issues and things I may need to get a jump on. It just threw a CEL yesterday and have noticed the gas mileage seems to be down over the past couple weeks, will be getting that pulled this weekend and will post back with that.

Put new spark plugs and wires on (NGK) about a month ago, and bought new spark plug tube seals while I was at and hope to get those installed this weekend. I haven't done that before so I am a bit apprehensive. I'll also be getting a valve cover gasket while I'm at it. Things I'm wondering about
Sludge, I'll have a shop-vac and some type of cleaner but am unsure what kind is safe to use. Tips and things to look out for when undertaking this whole process After that going to get the oil changed as its a tad over due.

in advance guys!

[groovemasterodi]

Damn, no tips y'all?

[Chris Crash]

Well, what all have you done to it?

I would say the usual:
Timing belt
Water pump
Gaskets
Oil pump seals
Filters
All fluids flushed
Clean the TB/IAC

[zythr]

Here's a tip, Get a new car Barring that, regular maintenance as indcated in the previous post.

[hill8570]

Originally Posted by groovemasterodi

Damn, no tips y'all?

It'd help to know the service history, if you know anything about it -- otherwise we gotta assume the worst and the list gets long and nasty.

As far as cleaning sludge, I just carefully scrape off everything I can with a plastic putty knife, or other soft scraper -- metal is a no-no! Have a shopvac with a very small diameter nozzle (I picked up a set of little nozzles for some dinky shopvac at Home Depot, and duct-taped to fit my larger unit) -- you want lots of suction in a small area. Take your time, and don't let chunks fall into the oil passages -- you don't want chunks clogging passages or getting into your oil pump pickup. Once you've got all the big stuff sucked up, wipe down everything you can reach with paint thinner or diesel fuel -- take your time, you don't want a bunch of thinner getting into your oil, unless you're planning on changing immediately. A old toothbrush makes a good scrubber. If the valve cover is sludged, soak it in thinner (overnight) and get it as cleaned up as possible. For a really, really bad case, you might have to replace the cover, but normally not. Let the thinner evaporate well (overnight, again, if possible) before putting the valve cover back on.

No matter how bad the sludge, do not run crap like motor flush or seafoam in your oil -- if you can't get in there and mechanically remove it, leave it be -- sludge is far better than a clogged oil pickup and a dead engine.

[groovemasterodi]

Thanks fellas, posted when it was late and after a long day. I'll get my service history together and post it up tonight or tomorrow. Thanks again