2002 v6 Camry Valve cover gasket & other 100k mile recommendations

[core2kid]

So yesterday I took the car in for a regular oil change at Toyota. Probably at 6k miles or so. After the oil change, I was quoted with over $2000 in repairs!

• Valve Cover Gasket
• Timing Belt
• Water Pump

Is this steep for these repairs? Any 100k mile things I should be looking for?

How easy is it to replace the valve cover gasket myself? I've not worked with big engines before, I've worked on little ones. Is there a DIY tutorial with pictures I can follow?

Do I need to be worried about sludge in the engine? Oil changes have been every 5k-7k miles. Mostly highway driving, driven every day, less than an hour a day.

Do you guys recommend just selling off the car and buying another one? I ask because I've heard a lot of horror stories on this engine.

Thanks.

[bronzemaxell]

Originally Posted by core2kid

So yesterday I took the car in for a regular oil change at Toyota. Probably at 6k miles or so. After the oil change, I was quoted with over $2000 in repairs!

• Valve Cover Gasket
• Timing Belt
• Water Pump

Is this steep for these repairs? Any 100k mile things I should be looking for?

How easy is it to replace the valve cover gasket myself? I've not worked with big engines before, I've worked on little ones. Is there a DIY tutorial with pictures I can follow?

Do I need to be worried about sludge in the engine? Oil changes have been every 5k-7k miles. Mostly highway driving, driven every day, less than an hour a day.

Do you guys recommend just selling off the car and buying another one? I ask because I've heard a lot of horror stories on this engine.

Thanks.

wow
that seems more than my expected cost
toyota parts timing belt, serpentine belts and water pump and oil seals, the valve cover gaskets, intake plenum gasket, egr valve gaskets, maybe $200 to $300. rest are all labor.

i recommend you shop around at local shops.

[Punks_Not_Dead5]

Do the spark plugs at the same time as they are due.

That is WAY too much though.

Your engine is fine, i havethe same one and it is a beast. Just keep up on maintenance and it'll run forever. I haven't head any horror stories, so i don't know what you're talking about.

The 2az 4cyl has a lot of probs, but the 1mz is tough.

If you know what you're doing you can do the plugs and valve over gaskets etc yourself..but it is a time consuming job. My friend did mine for me in about 4 hours, but he is a toyota master. All he charged me for was parts.

[core2kid]

Originally Posted by Punks_Not_Dead5

Do the spark plugs at the same time as they are due.

That is WAY too much though.

Your engine is fine, i havethe same one and it is a beast. Just keep up on maintenance and it'll run forever. I haven't head any horror stories, so i don't know what you're talking about.

The 2az 4cyl has a lot of probs, but the 1mz is tough.

If you know what you're doing you can do the plugs and valve over gaskets etc yourself..but it is a time consuming job. My friend did mine for me in about 4 hours, but he is a toyota master. All he charged me for was parts.

Wow, I don't have time to spare for that job. I'm just learning too so I'd rather not attempt it. Should I also replace the timing belt at 100k? People have told me that they can go up to 120k.

Also was the 4 hours just for the gasket or did it include the timing belt too?

[Punks_Not_Dead5]

Timing belt and water pump should be done around 90k miles.

No that four hour job was spark plugs, gaskets etc. You have to take the whole back of the intake, manifold etc off to get at the back spark plugs.

You can order the parts online cheaper than a dealer will get them. Then find someone who knows what they are doing and have them install.

[nabeel24]

Just a quick question, I have a 06 camry 4 cyl. Those have timing chain correct?

[Punks_Not_Dead5]

^ correct, chain doesn't need to be done, but be sure to have the water pump done at 90k miles

[FireLikeIYA]

Originally Posted by Punks_Not_Dead5

^ correct, chain doesn't need to be done, but be sure to have the water pump done at 90k miles

(Regarding the 4cyl) I wouldn't worry about the water pump unless it is leaking.... I did mine at 200K. It wasn't leaking and looked really good when I pulled it out but I was getting nervous with that many miles on it. I would replace the thermostat, though, and do a drain and fill of the coolant.

[Punks_Not_Dead5]

I wouldn't take a chance on it though...if it blows...bye bye engine.