02 2.4L 338,000 miles need advice

[mattrob]

New to forum. My Camry has about 338K miles. Started making an engine rattling noise on acceleration. suspected worn timing components. I have all timing components off now. Of course plastic chain guides are worn, tensioner plunger seemed to be a little rough in actuation, exhaust cam sprocket does show signs of wear. I dont know for certain that replacing all timing components will clear noise. Questions are: considering mileage should i just replace all the timing components or the likely cause of the rattle noise(whatever that may be)? Should i replace the oil pump while i have pan off? How much trouble would it be to pull head and do valve job at this point? Good idea? Lastly....2002 Camry has the 2.4 VVTI with the intake cam sprocket. How do i replace this sprocket and is it difficult?

Thanks Toyota Nation.

[leakyseals]

Originally Posted by mattrob

New to forum. My Camry has about 338K miles. Started making an engine rattling noise on acceleration. suspected worn timing components. I have all timing components off now. Of course plastic chain guides are worn, tensioner plunger seemed to be a little rough in actuation, exhaust cam sprocket does show signs of wear. I dont know for certain that replacing all timing components will clear noise. Questions are: considering mileage should i just replace all the timing components or the likely cause of the rattle noise(whatever that may be)? Should i replace the oil pump while i have pan off? How much trouble would it be to pull head and do valve job at this point? Good idea? Lastly....2002 Camry has the 2.4 VVTI with the intake cam sprocket. How do i replace this sprocket and is it difficult?

Thanks Toyota Nation.

Read some of my responses regarding startup rattles, overall ticking and the cleanup procedure. You are probably finding the parts are ok for the most part. DO NOT pull the head see issues regarding stripped headbolts.

[BlackG5]

Originally Posted by mattrob

My Camry has about 338K miles.

holy shit.


lol, thats amazing.

[shinobi602]

Originally Posted by BlackG5

holy shit.


lol, thats amazing.

Lol yep, they will last. I bought a 97' LE a couple years ago for $200 from a family friend that had 303k miles on it. Drove it another 33k miles or so, so it was at 336k miles.

Sold it for $800 lol. It was still driving like a champ.

[BlackG5]

that's great!

My dad had an '84 celica w/ the 22r that made it to 324k, its all in how you take care of it. He parked it too, motor was in good shape but it needed its 3rd clutch and he had just bought a new car..

[mattrob]

Yeah Betsy has been good to me. I just caan't junk her yet. I believe she still has 200K plus left. In my opinion this Camry is one of the best cars ever built. All things considered..reliabilty, comfort, MPG, durabilty and is fairly easy to work on. I replaced the spark plugs for first time at 315K. Starter solenoid went out at about 285K. Thats all that has failed. Had it rebuilt for $50 locally. I recently drove her on a 10 hr( one way) road trip, cruised at 80 MPH.

[BlackG5]

that's really good to hear..


my 04 has just started to consume a bit of oil (195k miles, always M1 synthetic), but I'm HARD on it, literally, it gets stomped on to redline a few times per day because commuting around the DC beltway can be frustrating and it's fun hearing how loud the intake is but how slow the car is I just hope it doesn't start eating more than a qt per OCI or I'll switch to regular oil..

and wow, plugs at 315k, lol, I've changed them twice already..

what about coolant/water pump issues? none?

You're right on saying how reliable it is though, I've needed a new gas cap and speed sensor.. most cars have thousands in repairs by 200k, I figure the >$500 in repairs makes this camry great.

[mattrob]

i think only one time on the coolant. No issues with water pump but going to put another one on now since i have it off for the timing components. I have always used the cheapest oil on sale or walmart. Always conventional but planning on running some durablend with Marvel Mystery Oil after i put her back together. LeakySeals had some god idea on his posts concerning engine cleaning.

[mattrob]

Thanks Leakyseals. I read alot of you posts today. Great info. I will leave the head and valves alone then. Based on your posts i am considering replacing only tensioner and water pump. Would you recommend replacing all chains and sprockets as well? Just timing chain and not sprockets?

[leakyseals]

Originally Posted by mattrob

Thanks Leakyseals. I read alot of you posts today. Great info. I will leave the head and valves alone then. Based on your posts i am considering replacing only tensioner and water pump. Would you recommend replacing all chains and sprockets as well? Just timing chain and not sprockets?

With so many miles and no problems I'm tempted to say don't touch anything because the transmission and suspension are close to or already needing work no matter how well you kept things. You obviously kept the engine wear down by keeping internals clean using good oil. But your in uncharted territory for miles and parts will wear eventually. If the chain were to break it could be catastrophic. Other parts you mention, if your capable replace them. See this Manual. I would also add valve seals if you know how to do it without removing the head.

[leakyseals]

PS Read this thread, should really be a sticky. Its a major defect that 02-04 2AZ-FE owners live in fear of (once we find out about it). Your looking for coolant loss at the insulator foam under the plastic intake. If you always changed your coolant on time the aluminum threads cast in the block should be ok but there are so many reports its worth a look.

[mattrob]

Great info in that manual. I will definately use it. Thanks. I will read through it this weekend to help me determine what all i will replace on her. Do you have a reccomendation for online aftermarket parts source? I just can't see going back with OEM for this many items on a vehicle with this many miles.

I will look at the intake/head area for signs of coolant but have not noticed any coolant loss whatsoever.

[leakyseals]

I compare a combo of sites for aftermarket - RockAuto , Auto Parts World, Car Parts.com , Parts Train , even eBay and Amazon. There are so many now, maybe others will respond with better ones I haven't found.

If I can't find an aftermarket part: toyotapartseast OEM. Good place to check diagrams, upgrades part numbers, etc. Can put your vin in, etc.

[HotRod53]

My '07 I4 just had a rattle on cold startup, it was the alternator of all things! After about 3-4 miles it would quiet down.

[mattrob]

I will get her put back together in the coming weeks and update the outcome. I hadn't considered the alternator but will when i get it back going again. This is the original alternator @ 338K miles.

Thank you.