Bringing an Old Camry Back to life

[ModifierMR]

Hey guys I want to share with you my current project and ask a few questions.


I have a 1990 Toyota Camry DX with 83K on it Perfect interrior, but the exterrior is filthy from sitting under a tree in a yard for over a year. It was my first car, I intend to bring it back to life and use it once again as a project car.

So far i have given it an oil change. But i have a few questions:

1. There is white/gray colored smoke coming from the exhaust what could be causing that? (Maybe condisation?)
2. The engine is making a knocking sound/ticking sound it never made before, sounds like its coming from one of the cylinders, someone said a stuck hydralic something? what do you think?
3. The transmission sorta kicks into second gear, something it never has done before, should i be worried?
4. I want to wash the car, if its below 45* F is it to cold or does it matter at all?
5. What other tips can u suggest to help restore this ol' cam to its origional glory?

Other Plans:

• Id like do some performace, where should i start?
• Do they make Air intakes for 90 Cam's? If so who?
• Is there any known Turbo for 90 Cam's? Or does it require heavy modification like all other cam's?

Thanks for any help and to anyone who takes the time to read this and try to answer my questions.

[fredk]

drive it

[Gary_602Z]

^ Yep and Wash it! Change any fluids you can.

Gary

[Cyorke]

Change all fluids, doa good tune up on it. CHeck all your brakes. Wash it 54 degrees isnt bad for washing it jsut make sure if it is going to freeze overnight you dont try to open the doors first thing in the morning.

The knocking could be any number of things. It may be some carbon build up on the top of the pistons, dont see it being lifters as the 3SFE uses adjsutable valves and not hydraulic.

The smoke/steam out of the exhaust may jsut be condensation from sitting so long that has built up in the exhaust. If it doesnt stop after it gets warm or have driven it a couple of times then you may want to dig some more.

As for performance parts they are jsut like all the other Camry's you ahve to do custom work to get what you want.

[ModifierMR]

thanks for the help cyroke.


And yes, i am gonna drive it, i just dont wanna drive it and have something break thats why im being carefull. Lets say i didnt give it an oil change would u drive it then?

[fredk]

well, lets say do the common sense stuff first

[Cyorke]

Lets say i didnt give it an oil change would u drive it then?

That would be the minimum I do before driving it. If it has been sitting for a year there is moisture builup in the oil and it is probably shot. It is not going to be able to perform the way it should be.

Was the car running fine when you parked, as far as knocking and things like that. IF it was fine then it should be fine now. Things dont really break, like bearings and headgaskets and such when the car is jsut sitting. IF there was a problem when you parked it and it was never taken care of then it is very possible since it has been sitting for a while, it accelerated the problem on the first couple of start ups since you got it back.

[dirtdiggler]

designate it as a work car and spend your money on the newer camry.
or you can sell it because of the low miles and use the funds for that supercharger project or sportivo kit.