Concern about the 2AZ-FE 2.4 L engine in 2005 Camry LE

[MEGADETHFAN]

I have read countless threads about the stripped head bolts, most recently 06 camry head problem.

My Camry has ~54,000 miles and I am going to leave for college soon. My parents bought me the car and it has been perfectly fine but I am seriously concerned about these head bolts failing. I know it is a very costly repair to make (we can't do it ourselves) and I am wondering if I should jump ship and get a different vehicle while I am still ahead (I can EASILY break even on a trade in, or even make money selling it privately),

Basically, I don't want to be knee deep in my Bachelor's Degree and have to deal with what seems to be a ticking time bomb.

Thank you for any and all suggestions.

[JohnGD]

There was an engine block design change. If your block is of the newer design you may be fine. But if you can make money out of a 54K mile car I'd say get out of it now and maybe move into a Honda. Ford's turning around but still not quite there yet, I think Apple in Cupertino got all the top design graduates. VW has a lot of top safety picks and some of their Italian designs are great, but tend to have many minor quality issues and AWD don't have as good MPG.

You will pay higher insurance premiums for a newer car for sure. But see if you can negotiate a free maintenance contract. If you get another Toyota they'll give you 2-year free maintenance (Toyota Care, oil changes and tire rotations), maybe they'll give you more? Honda has a Honda Care (5yr/60K) plan, but put it on the table as a condition for purchasing a Honda. Ford has a Premium Maintenance Plan for bargaining. And VW's 3yr/36K Carefree Maintenance Plan is free.

But for your college years a new car will mostly be under warranty. And if you have free maintenance for most if not all those years, then no worries at all compared to a cylinder head that might come loose before your finals.

One thing about factory maintenance is they really stretch out the intervals. And if you can do an intermediate oil change that will sure help the engine last.

Originally Posted by MEGADETHFAN

I have read countless threads about the stripped head bolts, most recently 06 camry head problem.

My Camry has ~54,000 miles and I am going to leave for college soon. My parents bought me the car and it has been perfectly fine but I am seriously concerned about these head bolts failing. I know it is a very costly repair to make (we can't do it ourselves) and I am wondering if I should jump ship and get a different vehicle while I am still ahead (I can EASILY break even on a trade in, or even make money selling it privately),

Basically, I don't want to be knee deep in my Bachelor's Degree and have to deal with what seems to be a ticking time bomb.

Thank you for any and all suggestions.

[MEGADETHFAN]

Originally Posted by JohnGD

There was an engine block design change. If your block is of the newer design you may be fine. But if you can make money out of a 54K mile car I'd say get out of it now and maybe move into a Honda. Ford's turning around but still not quite there yet, I think Apple in Cupertino got all the top design graduates. VW has a lot of top safety picks and some of their Italian designs are great, but tend to have many minor quality issues and AWD don't have as good MPG.

You will pay higher insurance premiums for a newer car for sure. But see if you can negotiate a free maintenance contract. If you get another Toyota they'll give you 2-year free maintenance (Toyota Care, oil changes and tire rotations), maybe they'll give you more? Honda has a Honda Care (5yr/60K) plan, but put it on the table as a condition for purchasing a Honda. Ford has a Premium Maintenance Plan for bargaining. And VW's 3yr/36K Carefree Maintenance Plan is free.

But for your college years a new car will mostly be under warranty. And if you have free maintenance for most if not all those years, then no worries at all compared to a cylinder head that might come loose before your finals.

One thing about factory maintenance is they really stretch out the intervals. And if you can do an intermediate oil change that will sure help the engine last.

Do you happen to know how to check if I have a new block?

[JohnGD]

Ok, the search came up as follows. Don't know how true this was (no Toyota "TSB").

See message #180 in GEN5 2.4L 2AZ-FE Stripped Head Bolts