Oil leak with a strange story behind it...

[ivj]

Hi!

My mom drove our 93 4cyl camry for about a year. About half a year ago she started to notice a smell coming from the engine - it smelled like burnt oil. Also, we started noticing oil spots under the car.

Then, at some point, the oil pressure light turned on. My dad, (being an ex car dealer and an amature auto mechanic) told her not to worry about it. So she's been driving with that oil pressure light for about 3 months. (it's funny how after using "search" I saw how many of you say that "after you see the light it's too late")

Also, my mom always drove with the emergency brake on, so now it's totally useless

I bought this car from my parents for $1500 (they got the whole self responsibility thing going on). I immediately added some oil, and the car works fine, almost as good as new.

The only problem that's bothering me is the oil leak. It's not really severe, but it does drain a lot of oil. Enough that I don't ever have to change oil - just keep adding it .

So, I wanted to ask for your advice - should I go ahead and try to figure out what the hell the problem is myself (i don't have much experience, but I'm very smart and capable ), or should I go to a dealer or a mechanic? If so, then how would I avoid getting ripped off?

Thank!

[karugs]

Check it out first, that way you know what is supposed to be done. Then when you go to the mechanic (if it's a big job) you know what they're supposed to do and you can check it yourself afterwards if they did the right job. That way you know your car's condition rather than just leave it all to the mechanics. Just my .02

[ivj]

I looked under my hood, and I'm pretty sure that the leak is coming from the 2 fat wires/cables/hoses that are connected to the oil filter...

Do you know if I can replace those myself or do I need a mechanic for that?

[88 LE]

^ Thats the oil cooler. If I remember correctly theres 2 gaskets.

Its pretty easy to replace the gaskets. The hard part is removing the oil filter union, its torqued on pretty tight.

1. Remove the oil filter.

2. Remove the oil filter union (the threaded part the oil filter screws onto). I forget what size socket you need, but you definitely need a breaker bar and long extension.

3. Unbolt the oil cooler from the block. Theres a little bolt holding it to the block.


Gasket behind the oil cooler. In between the block and oil cooler.

And another gasket behind the oil filter union. In between the oil filter union and oil cooler.

[ivj]

Do they sell those parts anywere? Sounds like a job for a mechanic...

HOw much do you think this job would cost?

[Riggs]

That sounds like a 2 hour job (looking at 88LE's instructions), and the gasket shouldn't cost too much. My guess is you're looking at $200 or less at a mechanic, vs...

Breaker Bar - $30
6" Extension - $10
Socket - $5
Gasket - Dunno, but I'm guessing $15-$20
The satisfaction of doing the work yourself - Priceless.

For engine rebuilds there are mechanics. For everything else there's your own two hands.

[ivj]

And where would I get those parts?

[MR2Jedi]

if you have to ask those questions, I would advise you to take it to a trusted mechanic...you may end up messing something up and in the end costing you more money and down time....

[chronoti]

any local part store (auto zone, discount, internet) also one of the best things you can get is a haynes or chilton repare manual it has pictures to help you find what you need to find and do.

[whocares04]

download the manual in the sticky at the top of the forum (it has sooo much detail).

also since u know the leak, materials needed, etc. go to a mechanic and ask how much that would be if u wanna go that route (and don't get sucked into "spiels" about how everything is going bad in ur car )

[Riggs]

If you have a friend who has a bunch of tools, then I'd recommend downloading the manual (as whocares04 said) and get a little help. Any auto part store should have the gasket.

If you don't have much experience with tools or mechanics (ask yourself this - 'Would I be comfortable changing my own oil?'), then follow whocares' advice and ask multiple mechanics for quotes.

[88 LE]

Originally Posted by ivj

Do they sell those parts anywere?

Toyota dealership.

They'll look up the parts in their computer. Have them give you a print out of the parts for the oil cooler. You'll see the 2 gaskets and how it goes together.

Originally Posted by Riggs

That sounds like a 2 hour job (looking at 88LE's instructions), and the gasket shouldn't cost too much.

It shouldn't take 2 hours, maybe 1/2 hr. if even that. Hell I can pull an engine in 2 hrs.

Its self explantory once you unbolt the oil filter cooler and see the parts.

You don't have to disconnect the 2 hoses (coolant hoses) from the oil cooler. Just rotate it, so that you can get to the backside of it.