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.
That could be a distributor leaking too. But IIRC yota eliminated the distributor stuff from 97 5SFE onwards? IDK...gotta check out the Gen4 5SFE manual. If this engine doesnt have a distributor then could be a VC for sure...easy fix (~$30 max), lots of DIY's stickied on this forum have the information.
__________________ 1995 Camry DX L4 178,6XX miles and counting each mile.... acquired 05/25/2007 at 129K miles
2004 Mazda6 I4 5-Speed Manual 115,500 miles acquired 01/21/2011 at 109,XXX miles
If that's oil, I would also first guess valve cover gasket (as others have said). But what fluid have you been losing (or having to add)? I ask because that area looks like it could be in the runoff path of either of your transmission seals too (that surround the CV axle). Does the fluid have a reddish tint at all (ATF) or just brownish/black (oil)?
I'm not sure if 97 model has distributor or not. If 97 model has distributor, then the O-ring of distributor is leaking. Also, the cover head gasket can be leaked, too.
even though on 97 and later camry 4 cylinder, toyota use distributorless ignition
the valve cover still has that hole there, and it is plug by a plastic cap, and can leak.
double check the half moon on the valve cover as well.
Well I just checked and there is definitely some oil on the back side of the engine beneath the valve cover in a couple of spots. So I guess that is good news.
I am going to wait and see what the oil analysis says. If there is no coolant in the oil or other major problems I'm going to do the valve cover gasket myself, clean the engine really well, and see what happens.
If the analysis comes back as I expect it to, confirming coolant is present, then we've got a whole new set of problems... :/
Ok, if 97 model doesn't has the distributor. Your car used coil pack, right. trace the spark plug wires and it's connected to coil pack. behind the coil packs, it's known oil leaks because there is half moon sit under the valve cover. when you remove the valve cover, on the driver side. it has 2 half moons sit under the valve cover. take those out and clean really good with collaborator can. reseal silicon to the half moon and put it back.
my 2000 toyota camry, the half moon leaks on me. the oil drops down right side on the driver side. you can see oil drop down on the transmission and travel down to the oil pan. if you take your fingers and try go under the coil packs to see if you can detect oil leaks or not.
WARNING!!! MAKE sure the engine is turn OFF and ENGINE is cool when you try to put your fingers under the coil packs.
If that's oil, I would also first guess valve cover gasket (as others have said). But what fluid have you been losing (or having to add)? I ask because that area looks like it could be in the runoff path of either of your transmission seals too (that surround the CV axle). Does the fluid have a reddish tint at all (ATF) or just brownish/black (oil)?
Thanks, it's oil, I've been having to add it but the ATF is fine.
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acquired 05/25/2007 at 129K miles
I4 5-Speed Manual 115,500 miles acquired 01/21/2011 at 109,XXX miles
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