Spark plugs soaked w/oil - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

97&02camryleI4 · 09-06-2003, 06:36 PM

Here's a picture of all four spark plugs I took out from the cylinders today. I'm suspecting a bad valve seal, valve gasket, or something along the lines of a gasket/valve. Anyone got any ideas and how much it would cost to fix this? I think this problem is related to the excessive heavy smoke coming out from the muffler during startup in the morning. The smoke isn't ordinary water vapor-like smoke, it's very thick and have a strong odor. Let me know what you think

Sorry for the blurry pictures. I don't really know how to use the digital camera to take close-ups. But I hope you guys can see it. The last spark plug seems to have no problems w/oil on it so maybe only three cylinders are affected.

97&02camryleI4 · 09-07-2003, 01:23 PM

no one? come on...36 views and no replies

TubRog5 · 09-07-2003, 04:19 PM

I've heard it can be a bad cylinder also, but with three soak and one good. I think you're probably right. Valve and/or gasket, but don't rule the cylinder out.

Jzs147-RR · 09-07-2003, 09:12 PM

If those are off a 5sfe its your valve seals that are gone and hapends on alot of 5sfe's.I have changed them on atleast 100 taxis.

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Ikon · 09-07-2003, 09:36 PM

Im no mechanic but I'd have to agree with the valves or the gasket...should take a lot of labor but better now then never

smokey8890 · 09-07-2003, 09:57 PM

i betting on a blown head gasket.

97&02camryleI4 · 09-07-2003, 11:25 PM

So it may be the valve seals, valve gaskets, head gasket, or the combination of any of them. Anyone know how much $$ I'm looking at? Parts and labor separately. Maybe I can find the parts cheap somewhere. Thanks for all your replies.

toyrolla · 09-12-2003, 10:26 AM

Right off the bat, you need valve seals.

You really won't know the extent of the damage until you remove and inspect the head and cylinders to look at it. Needing valve seals is enough justification to get the work started.

I hope in your case that the damage is only the valve seals.

Good luck with your car...

Bishop13 · 09-12-2003, 03:33 PM

I'm almost 100% sure its the valve seals...I have the same problem with my 93...seems to be a "weakness"...sux...but that's why I bought an extra head to work (or get worked) on

97&02camryleI4 · 09-28-2003, 07:11 PM

I'm planning to bring the camry to either the dealer or a good shop to replace the valve seals and any other necessary parts that need to be fixed by this week. I've been driving a lot on freeways and always feel light-headed from the burning oil fumes flowing into the cabin. Anyone know approximately how much I should be looking at labor (dealer price) and parts to replace the valve seals? Thanks.

Bishop13 · 09-29-2003, 01:01 PM

Well, down here in L.A., the valve seals are $5.33/each for the intake side (x8), and $7.62/ea for the exhaust side (x8) for a grand total of $103.60 for the parts only, plus tax. To have the dealership do it will cost $711 for the labor plus the $103.60 for parts. I called a shop that specializes in Toyotas (ToyMasters) and they quoted $650 for parts/labor. I'd shop around, but don't go too cheap, this is one thing you don't wanna get half assed on

88 LE · 09-29-2003, 01:15 PM

I was quoted around the same price for the valve seals from a local Toyota dealership. Around $120.

They also quoted me $650 to replace the seals. No thanks.

Its possible to replace the seals without taking the head off, but you need special tools.

I was going to buy the seals and replace them myself, but never bothered with it.