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 just aquired a 92 Camry with the 2.2 4 cyl in it. Clean car but there are a few problems that I wanted to get some advice on. I am not familiar with these cars at all so any help would be appreciated. 1). First off, the car has a loud pop that you can feel when turned to the right. Doesnt sound like CV joints. 2). There is a rough idle when in gear. 3). The car has a shake in the front end, I think it could be tied to the pop that I hear and feel when turning right. The front tires are wore pretty bad on the outsides as well. I am pretty sure the struts need to be replaced, would this cause this type of problem? Thanks for the help in advance.
It sounds to me like either a Control arm bushing, ball joint, or strut mount is to blame if it isn't the CV axle. This is hard to diagnose over the internet but with the car being so old I would look at the control arm bushings and ball joints first as they are the most obvious.
As for the idle it may need to have a basic tune up done including the fuel filter as well as the IAC valve needing cleaning. Again tough stuff to diagnose over the internet.
The control arm bushings are a common fail item on older Toyotas with that control arm design. I think Avalons have it the worst. Regardless just look the car over and tune it up well. Plugs, wires, distributor cap, rotor, fuel filter, coolant, differential fluid change, trans fluid change, brake fluid change, clean and adjust rear brakes, oil change.
Some of the things to look out for.
Oil leaks: These cars are old and oil leaks are plentiful. The most common leak is the valve cover gasket. After that comes the distributor o-ring, all 4 front engine seals, the oil pan gasket, and rear main seal.
Power Steering leaks: Old Toyotas hate power steering fluid. It is a fact of life. The common places for it to leak are the rack, hoses, and the pump
Timing Belt: This 35 dollar belt will leave you stranded when it breaks but at least it won't do any damage. When doing the timing belt all 4 front engine seals (camshaft seal, crankshaft seal, oil pump seal, and oil pump o-ring), the water pump, and thermostat should be replaced.
Transmission: These cars have a separate differential case on the transmission most people (even some Toyota technicians) don't know about. Over almost 20 years some have never had this fluid replaced. The differential exploding has been the cause of every transmission failure I have ever seen on a 1992-2001 Camry. Replace this fluid and remove the transmission pan and replace the transmission filter.
Fix that and it may last another 20 years.
The Following User Says Thank You to hardtopte72 For This Useful Post:
The control arm bushings are a common fail item on older Toyotas with that control arm design. I think Avalons have it the worst. Regardless just look the car over and tune it up well. Plugs, wires, distributor cap, rotor, fuel filter, coolant, differential fluid change, trans fluid change, brake fluid change, clean and adjust rear brakes, oil change.
Some of the things to look out for.
Oil leaks: These cars are old and oil leaks are plentiful. The most common leak is the valve cover gasket. After that comes the distributor o-ring, all 4 front engine seals, the oil pan gasket, and rear main seal.
Power Steering leaks: Old Toyotas hate power steering fluid. It is a fact of life. The common places for it to leak are the rack, hoses, and the pump
Timing Belt: This 35 dollar belt will leave you stranded when it breaks but at least it won't do any damage. When doing the timing belt all 4 front engine seals (camshaft seal, crankshaft seal, oil pump seal, and oil pump o-ring), the water pump, and thermostat should be replaced.
Transmission: These cars have a separate differential case on the transmission most people (even some Toyota technicians) don't know about. Over almost 20 years some have never had this fluid replaced. The differential exploding has been the cause of every transmission failure I have ever seen on a 1992-2001 Camry. Replace this fluid and remove the transmission pan and replace the transmission filter.
Fix that and it may last another 20 years.
I have had a 92 Camry like the one in this thread for years. The oil leaks are getting worse and the distributor and valve cover seal fixes did not stop them. I'd like to keep the car as it has no other problems (aside from worn CV joints) but tired of the oil spots on the street. Any guess where I should begin looking? It had a full TB replacement about 30k miles back. Leaks have started since then. 248k miles.
It had a full TB replacement about 30k miles back. Leaks have started since then. 248k miles.
TB = timing belt, right? Were the seals replaced then too?... crankshaft & cams? Those are also a common source of oil leaks, besides the distributor seal and valve cover gasket, which you've already done. Only other source is the oil pan, which is far less common.
Best way to narrow it down is to clean it thoroughly and then watch for leak sources.
Are you sure it's not a power steering leak? That's pretty common too. It's supposed to have ATF in it (not power steering fluid), so check the leaking oil to see if it's pink.
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1992 Camry LE, V6 (3VZ-FE), ABS brakes, 330k miles, dark emerald pearl, owned since new.
1996 Avalon XLS, ABS brakes, moonroof, white, acquired w/ 139k miles, now at 261k.
2001 Yamaha FZ1, Ivan's jet kit, resprung all around, Ohlins in the rear, Race Tech cartridge emulators in the forks, 45k miles.
It seems like most of the leak is in the back of the engine. Don't know if they did the seal replacement with the timing belt. I am new to forum so wondering if there are mechanics in D/FW that people have found who are good with old Camry's. Found my VW mechanic through an online forum.
The spark plug tube nuts likes to come loose on this valve cover gasket design, so you should check and retorque. This may be one cause of the oil leak, especially down the firewall side. The semi-circular plugs should be resealed too with an RTV like Permatex Ultra-Black or Ultra-Copper.
Dabs of RTV are required at the semi-circular plug joints on the cylinder head as well as the bends of the cam cap.
Another common place that likes to leak oil is the oil pump o-ring or shaft seal. Whoever did the timing belt should have changed out all oil seals and the o-ring as a part of a complete timing belt job, for example:
GATES K030295 Micro-V AT Power Steering Belt $5.14
GATES K050435 Micro-V AT Alt/AC Belt $14.10
FEL-PRO TCS45920 Crankshaft Front Seal Set $5.10
FEL-PRO TCS45641 Camshaft Front Seal $3.66
NATIONAL 221820 Polyacrylate Oil Pump Shaft Seal $2.86
GATES TCK199 (1 Belt, 1 Tensioner, 1 Idler) Timing Belt Component Kit
$52.89
STANT 48278 180° w/Jiggle Pin OE Type Thermostat $10.94
AISIN WPT010A Water pump w/o housing $30.79
FEL-PRO VS50304R1 Valve Cover Gasket Set w/Spark plug tube seals
$18.26
Subtotal $143.74
Shipping about $20
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