replacing valve/spark plug gaskets...

[tightcamry129]

hey guys, my 2000 Camry just hit 100,300 miles. I noticed that it started to burn a little bit of motor oil ever since last year. I'm not saying that it's burning up a ton of oil and smoking out black smoke out the tail pipe. But i did notice that it's burning like a 1/4 of a quart every 3000 miles. Is it a good time to replace my valve/ spark plug gaskets? if so, is ebay a good source to shop from?

[Nick]

valve cover gasket wouldn't cause you to burn oil, unless its leaking out and dropping on the exhaust manifold

[tightcamry129]

than what would cause the oil level to drop a little every 3000 miles? the last time i was at firestone, i had them do a free inspection of the car about the oil burning and they told me that nothing seems to be leaking and there are no signs of oil anywhere on the exterior of the engine...

[fe519]

just look around the valve cover, if you dont see soot around it, then your not leaking oil. usually older cars will burn oil and 1/4 of a quart every 3000 is not something to be concerned about. i have a 93 prelude si... 1/4 a week... so your not in a bad situation

[fe519]

oh yeah... just check your spark plugs to see if there is any oil in them. If there is oil on the tip, then the spark plug seals needs to be replaced. if not... all normal

[tightcamry129]

Originally posted by Oldman
valve cover gasket wouldn't cause you to burn oil, unless its leaking out and dropping on the exhaust manifold

hey oldman, not to suck up or anything, but i've been really looking up to your knowledge about toyotas and you've earn my trust. Your posts seem very short and sweet and very educating... so please enlighten me once more. I just had my clutch replaced and would you know how i could adjust the pedal pressure? right now it's just too easy to press the clutch. I feel like the pedal sticks sometimes, even... i want a firm pedal so i know that I'M in control of the clutch. Thanks in advance...

[Nick]

sorry tightcamry, the only thing i can think of is bleeding the lines, but i don't know how to do that

as for 1/4 qt every 3000 miles, that's not a lot, i burn about 1/2 to 1qt in the same interval from my valve guide seals

those could be starting to go, does it smoke mostly right when you start the car after it was sitting for a day, even overnight

[tightcamry129]

well it doesn't really smoke at all, i don't think... the white smoke in the morning is normal, right? that's pretty much it. I've seen preludes blow out huge amounts of black smoke out their exhausts when they floor it so my guess is, my car is doing that but not to that extent. One thing i noticed is that on my taillights, i see some very very light brownish, tanish dust laid on top. Maybe that's just normal dust that you get from the outside... i don't know....

[tightcamry129]

Originally posted by fe519
oh yeah... just check your spark plugs to see if there is any oil in them. If there is oil on the tip, then the spark plug seals needs to be replaced. if not... all normal

i just checked the spark plugs and the first three (from the left side) are spot less but i noticed that the fourth one had a little wetness to it. Maybe it WAS oil...

[Nick]

or gas,

if i were you i wouldn't worry about 1/4 qt every 3000 miles

[burchard]

Spark plug gastkets?. Are those the ones that come with the spark plugs when you buy them brand new?
thanks

[tightcamry129]

Originally posted by burchard
Spark plug gastkets?. Are those the ones that come with the spark plugs when you buy them brand new?
thanks

no, i meant the gaskets for the cylinder heads and seals (o-rings) for the sparkplugs...

[gqdabien]

on my 5sfe, when i check the oil dipstick, how far along the rod should the oil bbe to be in a goood running condition? I can't tell if i am losing oil or not??

[tightcamry129]

Originally posted by gqdabien
on my 5sfe, when i check the oil dipstick, how far along the rod should the oil bbe to be in a goood running condition? I can't tell if i am losing oil or not??

ummm.... first of all, you need to be able to change your own oil to get a better idea whether or not your losing or burning oil. But if you go get your oil changed somewhere else, thas okay too.... just check the level on the dipstick soon after they change it. If you look at your dipstick, there will be a L (low) and F (full) marks on the bottom part of the dipstick. Just see the oil level when you first get the oil changed and check again before you change the oil again....

[gqdabien]

My oil is like right in btw the F and L. Is that running unsafe? Also oil is still yellowish/brownish.