Engine Idle and Engine Noise - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

jbirdy958 · 05-12-2006, 10:50 PM

I just got my 97 Camry 5sfe back from the shop. It has 104K miles on it. They replaced the timing belt, head gasket, and valve stem seals(it was smoking from exhaust, but only at start-up). I first started it and it seemed to idle funny, going up and down in rpms, but was ok as soon as I put it in Drive. When I got home and was parking, I put it in park, and it did the same thing. So I sat there for a minute to listen to it idle. I then noticed what sounded like a clicking noise coming from my engine, I think the head area. Not sure what is going with it and any ideas would be appreciated. I just spent about $900 fixing it so I want to know if it's anything serious. Thanks in advance.

marc780 · 05-12-2006, 11:00 PM

There are a couple ideas i can think of right away, hopefully its the simple and cheap one.

1) What does the shop have to say about the noise and the poor idle? If you didnt have this problems when you brought it in, they have an obligation to fix your car right before they get paid by you.

2) Maybe the new valve seals are a little tight and the valves are just sticking a little bit until the seals wear in and full designed amount of oil gets to them, which would hopefully happen in a couple hundred. This also might explain the wandering idle because maybe the valves cannot keep up with the camshaft all the way from the seals making them stick a little.
I'd drive it a little and see if the problem goes away. Also i'd use a 5w30 oil if you arent already, this will help oil get to the valves.

3) When the shop reassembled it, presumably using the old shims, they mixed them up (the shims) so maybe a valve or two is too loose, or too tight? I'd pull the valve cover off or better yet, have the shop do it, and check the valve clearances to see that they are all within specs. If not, perhaps the shop owes you a valve adjustment.

I really hate to say this cause i dont want to make you feel bad; but for that price maybe there should have been a valve job instead of just changing the seals. Its a toyota though so hopefully the valves will go on a lot longer.

jbirdy958 · 05-13-2006, 10:19 PM

I don't want to sound dumb, but I think they may have done a valve job. They sent parts out to a machine shop (the head I do believe), but I'm not sure what for. I've driven it back and forth to work (50 miles round trip) and it seems to be getting better. Hopefully they just need to get broken in. I also had them put new plug wires on it since they put electrical tape on one of them that they messed up. Thought that was kinda shady, I think I need to find a new mechanic.

marc780 · 05-16-2006, 04:44 PM

Yes if the machine shop did a proper valve job, it includes grinding the valves and valve seats to make them seal right again. And new seals on the valves, new springs (or at least tested springs) and regrinding or replacing the camshaft.
Im thinking that the guy who did the valves maybe didnt adjust them right. Those shims are not easy to come by. If it were mine car id remove the valve cover and check the clearances on the valves, i'd bet you a sawvbuck that at LEAST one is out of clearances.