5th & 6th Generation (2002-2006 & 2007-2011)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 2002-2006 & 2007-2011
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
Just checked my oil level as I do weekly and it was double the full oil level mark on the dip stick. I checked it four times with the same result.
Fired up the car and let it run a few minutes and shut it off and called the dealer for an appointment.
Just went back out and re checked it and now it's on the full mark although the edges of the dip stick show oil.
The car uses Toyota synthetic oil and is just coming up on 12K Km thus ready for another change.
It's going in for an oil change later today but I'd like an explanation. The car was driven roughly 24 hours ago; it was a short trip of a couple of kilometers duration and has since been parked in a semi insulated garage. The outside temperature has been around -15 C.
Makes NO sense as an oil level going UP has always meant antifreeze getting into the engine; however, the level in the rad reservoir looked OK to me.
I'm hoping someone here can shed a little light on this.
Yes, there is a slight slope on the garage; however, this is the first time I've ever seen this condition in ~ 10 months. It's backed in; I've also pulled straight in and checked it without seeing this condition. It's usually filled to the 'F' mark regardless which way I park it... backwards or forwards.
Will pop the rad cap and have a peek; being pressurized I hope I do not loose any liquid?
Had an oil change; they told me they checked the level before starting the oil change and that it was fine. Similar to my findings after having fired it up and letting it run for a minute or so.
Think they told me that the proper way to check is to start and let it run for a moment, wait and then check. This flies in the face of my 45+ years of car maintenance as well as my findings of the 10 months I've had the car.
The underwriter's parting remark to her associate was he's (me) got all sorts of extended warranties which will cover any problems. My remark to her comment was to nip problems in the bud. She didn't disagree with me...
They checked the usual 12K stuff and said all was fine plus the oil color (tan) was fine.
Anyways, do I have to remove the shroud to see the rad pressure cap? I see where the hose runs from the reservoir, but I can't see the cap.
So from now on I check the oil by starting it, running it for a minute and then wait for five minutes...?
Had an oil change; they told me they checked the level before starting the oil change and that it was fine. Similar to my findings after having fired it up and letting it run for a minute or so.
Think they told me that the proper way to check is to start and let it run for a moment, wait and then check. This flies in the face of my 45+ years of car maintenance as well as my findings of the 10 months I've had the car.
The underwriter's parting remark to her associate was he's (me) got all sorts of extended warranties which will cover any problems. My remark to her comment was to nip problems in the bud. She didn't disagree with me...
They checked the usual 12K stuff and said all was fine plus the oil color (tan) was fine.
Anyways, do I have to remove the shroud to see the rad pressure cap? I see where the hose runs from the reservoir, but I can't see the cap.
So from now on I check the oil by starting it, running it for a minute and then wait for five minutes...?
Thanks for all of help!
Gary
check your oil the way you would NORMALLY do it.....cold engine, before you start it, this way, ALL the oil is in the pan....next, HAD THERE BEEN ANY coolant leaking into the oil, from say a head gasket, you WOULD HAVE SEEN WHITE SOAPY mixture on the dipstick...
i don't care who anyone is....but many (if not MOST) service writers or advisors, ARE NOT MECHANICS, only trained by maybe a few hours of classroom if any training like that exists. they typically DO NOT KNOW thier ass from thier elbow, and they have to RELY on the mechanics TO TELL THEM WHAT IS WRONG...........a monkey can write up your complaints just as effectively and get paid in less money as they would work literally for bananas......
the ONLY GOOD service writer or advisor is a former mechanic not wanting to turn wrenches anymore, and still make a very good paycheck........as they KNOW the cars and do not have to guess at much or make stupid remarks like the car is under warranty........and i can pretty much say, i don't believe they would have said to run the car first, then check the oil.....i ain't never heard of such sh!t.....
check your oil the way you would NORMALLY do it.....cold engine, before you start it, this way, ALL the oil is in the pan....next, HAD THERE BEEN ANY coolant leaking into the oil, from say a head gasket, you WOULD HAVE SEEN WHITE SOAPY mixture on the dipstick...
i don't care who anyone is....but many (if not MOST) service writers or advisors, ARE NOT MECHANICS, only trained by maybe a few hours of classroom if any training like that exists. they typically DO NOT KNOW thier ass from thier elbow, and they have to RELY on the mechanics TO TELL THEM WHAT IS WRONG...........a monkey can write up your complaints just as effectively and get paid in less money as they would work literally for bananas......
the ONLY GOOD service writer or advisor is a former mechanic not wanting to turn wrenches anymore, and still make a very good paycheck........as they KNOW the cars and do not have to guess at much or make stupid remarks like the car is under warranty........and i can pretty much say, i don't believe they would have said to run the car first, then check the oil.....i ain't never heard of such sh!t.....
This double the oil level height on a cold engine is really bugging me. So apperently no fluid mixed it with it; so then what explains the extra oil? I mean synthetic oil pours at a very cold temperature; so then it also drains back into the pan on shut down.
From now on I plan to take pictures with a digital camera EVERY time I check it. I want to be be ready for the next time this happens...
I really don't believe anyone took me seriously... and that also bothers me.
next time look on both sides of the dip stick: one side could've been touching oil tube? walls and spreading oil on dip stick. even if so, second side usually stays clean.
gen 5-6 usually eats/ burning oil, but not producing extra oil.
__________________ IndianaBorn gen7 LE. For sale gen 6: MdxTSXr black shrouds 5K retro OEM key with transmitter 2.4 transm.filter+gasket+WS. 2.4 K&N drop-in+cleaner and oil
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