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.
The oil in my 1998 4cyl Camry inadvertently got low because of a major oil leak from the engine. When we left the house we did not have an oil leak but somewhere between home and our destination (50 miles) we lost a lot of oil. When i checked the oil before adding some it was not even registering on the dipstick. Adding 2 complete quarts of oil brought the level back up approximately 1/4 inch ABOVE the fill line on the dipstick.
The leak has now been repaired and a oil and filter change was done. Could there be any permanent damage done to the engine? The oil light never came on but I understand that does not come on till basically no oil is left.
There are 145k miles on the car and today I noticed a noise that could or could not have been around prior to this incident. The noise sounds like a belt and is only audible around 1,000-1,400 rpms. At idle it is quieter but still audible. I remove all accessory belts and the noise is still there. The noise seems to be coming from the water pump area but the pump only has ~60k miles on it. The timing belt was changed when I repaired the oil leak last week. It almost sounds like timing belt noise but the belt checks out OK.
Permanent damage to the engine? Possibly. You may need to do an Oil Analysis Check to see, though. Think of it this way, the oil that was lost was oil that could have been used to lubricate parts of the engine, so those parts may have gone without the necessary lubrication.
Basically you were around 1.75 qts low on oil. Thats not really catastrophic, but it can cause some damage. These engines can run 1qt low no problem, but after that its iffy.
It could be timing belt slap, it could be a main bearing. Make sure theres no sign at all of flakes in the oil. If there are, dont run the engine at all. Tow it if you need to. Throwing a rod basically puts the in the junkyard.
Sometimes the timing belt looks taut but when you run the engine it's actually a little loose and can slap on the timing cover. Since you recently changed the timing belt the tension issue may be one (and the better one).
The other may be engine main bearing problems.
See if a stethoscope (or a very long screwdriver) on the timing cover can tell you more. Be careful of moving engine parts.
Basically you were around 1.75 qts low on oil. Thats not really catastrophic, but it can cause some damage. These engines can run 1qt low no problem, but after that its iffy.
It could be timing belt slap, it could be a main bearing. Make sure theres no sign at all of flakes in the oil. If there are, dont run the engine at all. Tow it if you need to. Throwing a rod basically puts the in the junkyard.
The oil light comes on if you lose oil PRESSURE. It is not affected by the oil level until the level gets so low the oil pump sucks air. So if your oil light really did not come on, you have no problem.
I ordered a oil analysis kit from an oil testing company mentioned in these forums. I will have the oil tested and see what the results show. I checked the oil again twice today and there is no signs of any visible metal/grit.
I did go pickup a mechanics stethoscope at harbor freight. I used it quite extensively trying to locate some source of the noise and although I felt like some sort of weird doctor I could not pinpoint the source of the noise. Your right John about being careful around the moving engine bits, I did get into some tight places through around the crankshaft pulley through the passenger side wheel well. The noise seems to be the loudest within the area south of the water pump, just about 1 inch below ? but that is with the end of stethoscope being held off the timing belt cover, not on it. With the stethoscope end being held onto that area of the timing belt cover the noise doesn't increase as I'd think.
As I was working on the car doing this in the driveway a neighbor came over and asked me what I was doing. He said to me that it sounded like a exhaust leak. I hadn't been thinking of it but I do have a exhaust leak at the accordion flex pipe. I don't see how that sound could transmit to the area where the noise seems to be originating (below the water pump area on the timing cover side). I did also notice the lower timing belt cover had a wear mark because of contact with the crank pulley. All the timing belt bolts are on tight and the cover looks secured. I pushed on strategic places of the belt cover with a long screw driver while the engine was running to see if that changed the tone of the noise but it didn't seem to do anything.
I checked the oil again twice today and there is no signs of any visible metal/grit.
You will not find metal/grit floating around in the oil. It will be at the bottom of the pan, so you need to drain it to find such things. Not just look at the dipstick.
You will not find metal/grit floating around in the oil. It will be at the bottom of the pan, so you need to drain it to find such things. Not just look at the dipstick.
I'm aware of that, thanks for the expert advice..... I was just sharing any and all things i'd looked over at this point.
Bro your honestly the biggest troll on these forums its ridiculous....
No troll at all. The OP asked for advice. He drove their car while it was losing oil for 50 miles, possibly causing some engine damage (which he asked if that may have happened). I'm just offering him some advice.
I wonder if the noise I'm concerned with may be the water pump after all. With a mechanics stehoscope I tried again to locate the source of the noise. It does seem loudest at the outer edge of the water pump where the alternator adjustment bracket connects secures. I'm not completely sure though as the noise seems so darn elusive.
I took this video of the engine running with the upper timing belt cover off. The noise I'm concerned sounds the loudest about 1/3 of the way into the video.
Very possible it can be the water pump. I replaced a new water pump into my camry about 4 months ago that was junk out of the box. Sounded like a Rod was bad.
The W/P is only like $30.00 so if your feeling like it may be it, go ahead and change it. Just Re-use your belt, marking it off exactly where you pulled it off.
If that doesnt remedy the problem, its time to pull the pan and balancer and check the Connecting Rods for slop.
Edit:
One way to for sure check the Water pump is with the belt off, grab ahold of the Spline Gear sticking off the side and try to move it up and down. If it pops up and down, most likely its junk.
The water pump on there is a Aisin water pump with only 55k miles on it's clock. It seems strange that it would already be worn out. I did use green coolant in the engine but I don't see how that would effect bearing wear.
I'm gonna use John GD's favorite supplier and get a timing belt kit via RockAuto. The gates water pump is good correct?
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No troll at all. The OP asked for advice. He drove their car while it was losing oil for 50 miles, possibly causing some engine damage (which he asked if that may have happened). I'm just offering him some advice.
95 Camry
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