Man my poor 1998 needs friggin' EVERYTHING lately. Suggestions???

[redgtxdi]

OK, so it seems like my poor 1998 Camry's getting hit all the way around........

#1.) Clear coat is starting to "peel" on roof & trunk top.

#2.) Car is swirving all over the road (somebody already suggested rear trailing arm bushings. I need to get under there & tug & pull.)

#3.) Rear brakes (not major I just hate doin' 'em)

#4.) Front engine strut mount? (Is that the wheel looking mount up top?)

#5.) Trans flush (bullsh!t. I just did it 2 years ago including pan clean & reseal)

#6.) All belts.....(probably getting close on timing belt too as all belts were done at 90,000 miles including timing belt & I'm at 182,000 miles now)

#7.) Fuel filter?? (Done at 90K too, IIRC)

I think that's it, but that's a pretty hefty list!!! All at friggin' once!!

BUMMER!!!!

[Mister_Perkins]

wow, that sucks! Hope everything goes well!

[arabianobsession]

When my old car 150k everything went on that too, including
1) Shocks/struts
2) Ball joints
3) Tie rod ends
4) Valve cover gasket
5) Blower motor resistor
6) Tranny flush was needed
7) Rear brakes needed overhauling.

I did most of them.....but I didn't feel like dealing with it, so that's when I got my Camry

[LynchburgCSI]

Normal maintaince stuff. Like any machine, they require money every so often. The paint... that happens with age. Typical Toyota thing.

[redgtxdi]

Ya, I know most of this stuff is maintenance, but wondering about the motor mount and fuel filter in particular. I've changed it at 90k and can't remember if that's an element filter or a metal-screen type??

Also on the paint, anybody ever had that clear redone? Or do you just need to repaint entirely?? (Gonna check w/ my neighbor on that one who does bumper repair & stuff & see what he says too).

And, yes, I'm pretty sure I've gone thru yet ANOTHER valve cover gasket as I'm pretty sure that's where my slow leak comes from. I'm probably averaging one valve cover gasket every other year since the 100k mark.

[Mister_Perkins]

You CAN just clearcoat a car IF the paint is not damaged. If its down to the primer / sealer your going to have to paint the roof over. You dont have to re-paint the whole car though

[arabianobsession]

I'm wondering if something got warped and that's why you're going through gaskets all the time......I'd get that measured and possibly machined.

[ShawnTRD]

So start your PM Thread. Take lots of pictures, and notes.

[redgtxdi]

Originally Posted by ShawnTRD

So start your PM Thread. Take lots of pictures, and notes.

PM Thread???

P.S. I saw your '98!!! Nice score there!!!

[pmesfun]

Originally Posted by redgtxdi

PM Thread???

P.S. I saw your '98!!! Nice score there!!!

Preventative Maintenance?

[ShawnTRD]

Originally Posted by redgtxdi

PM Thread???

P.S. I saw your '98!!! Nice score there!!!

Thanks

[JohnGD]

The fuel filter should be a pleated element filter. The top mount is the "dog bone". About $30 at an online dealer. Not much cost advantage for an aftermarket one, commonly Beck Arnley or Anchor. The major engine mounts I'd use only OEM.

Valve cover gasket set usually replaced with the timing belt. Maybe the plug tube seals came loose. It's a problem with this design that Toyota got rid of with the 2.4L. Check the torque every so often.

Originally Posted by redgtxdi

but wondering about the motor mount and fuel filter in particular. I've changed it at 90k and can't remember if that's an element filter or a metal-screen type??

And, yes, I'm pretty sure I've gone thru yet ANOTHER valve cover gasket as I'm pretty sure that's where my slow leak comes from. I'm probably averaging one valve cover gasket every other year since the 100k mark.

[redgtxdi]

That top mount looks fairly easy to change (unless the engine really flops out of position when you remove it). So I think I can do that one easy enough.

(((I'll take pics tomorrow of the engine compartment, I promise)))

But I'm thinkin' I'll let the shop do the timing belt & what not. I should probably try it myself but I just ain't feelin' it right now & last time it needed the front cam seal & water pump along with valve cover gasket so I figure it'll probably need similar again & I'd just as soon somebody who knows exactly what they're doing handle those)

I think fuel filter requires a special wrench too, so I'd probably let them handle that one at the same time.

Basically that'll leave me rear brakes (wanna recommend a good brake tool kit off ebay?? My Prizm rear brakes bloodied my knuckled pretty good)

[JohnGD]

Originally Posted by redgtxdi

But I'm thinkin' I'll let the shop do the timing belt & what not. I should probably try it myself but I just ain't feelin' it right now & last time it needed the front cam seal & water pump along with valve cover gasket so I figure it'll probably need similar again & I'd just as soon somebody who knows exactly what they're doing handle those)

You can order an OEM timing belt kit from eBay. $184.14 shipped. Just search "camry oem timing belt kit". Otherwise garages like to put on the cheapest stuff they can find.

Originally Posted by redgtxdi

I think fuel filter requires a special wrench too, so I'd probably let them handle that one at the same time.

Yes. Since it was removed once was a good sign. On many filters the lower flare nut will seize up and cause twisted fuel pipes.

Originally Posted by redgtxdi

Basically that'll leave me rear brakes (wanna recommend a good brake tool kit off ebay?? My Prizm rear brakes bloodied my knuckled pretty good)

How about the $15 Harbor Freight Brake Spring Pliers Kit?
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece...kit-97804.html

[redgtxdi]

Thanks for the replies!! ESPECIALLY FOR THAT TOOL KIT SUGGESTION!! (Cheaper than ebay!)

And as promised here are some pics. (I'm thinking I'm gonna try & grab a dealer coupon for timing belt so I get an OEM belt & a little discount on the labor.)........

Pics #1 is the whole enchilada. Yep, that's about a year old Koyo radiator, 3 year old struts & Duralast Gold battery (optional 945cca version that spins that starter motor like a turbo impeller)


Pic #2 is the torque mount. Looks like the rubber's goin' away a bit & if they'll swap it out cheaply enough when doing the timing belt I'd just let 'em do it, but if they want more than $30 for the friggin' mount, I'd just buy an autozone version & have my 5yr old daughter loosen the 2 bolts & swap it myself.


Pic #3 here I'm tryin' to show how it's a little wet back there. I believe the valve cover leaks toward the back. (which makes sense to me as the motor tilts that way anyway.) And since I couldn't find bolts for the valve cover I pulled a plug boot looking & is that sucker really only held down with those giant spherical nuts around the spark plug tubes???)


Pic #4 I'm tryin' to show the belts they say need replacing. They're a little dry with minor cracking at the edges, but if I do the timing belt I figure might as well have those swapped out too, eh?