for a camry tuneup.. what do you need? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

sq_camry · 09-25-2005, 02:35 AM

im past the 145k mile marker and i just changed the air filter on my 98 camry and i am looking to see what else might need maintenance on my car. just wanna see if i can improve the gas milage. beyond oil change, air filter change, and tire check, what else can you guys offer up as advice? ive heard something about the crankcase valve needing work when you go in? i dunno, if it comes to that, ill take it to a shop.

touringcamry · 09-25-2005, 02:43 AM

PCV valve is cheap and gets dirty and stops working. It costs about $6 buy another one. It's fairly easy to replace.

When is the last time you've done these:
Coolant flush
Trnasmission fluid flush or gear oil change
Spark plugs and wires
Check condition of brake pads and shoes

leasaunce · 09-25-2005, 03:19 AM

what does PCV valve do anyway??

88 LE · 09-25-2005, 08:03 AM

PCV = positive crankcase ventilation.

Gasses from the crankcase are recirculated back into the engine through the intake manifold.

Its a one way valve. The vacuum created by the engine pulls the valve open.

Kenyan01 · 09-25-2005, 03:19 PM

And what gets it dirty? How does it's being dirty affect the state of tuning of the engine?
Patrick.

***RningOnFumes*** · 09-25-2005, 04:39 PM

when they say dirty, they mean clogged...it affects the Idle and other things

skewe · 09-25-2005, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by touringcamry

PCV valve is cheap and gets dirty and stops working. It costs about $6 buy another one. It's fairly easy to replace.

When is the last time you've done these:
Coolant flush
Trnasmission fluid flush or gear oil change
Spark plugs and wires
Check condition of brake pads and shoes

while doing that, it does not hurt to clean the intake manifold cos that is where the PCV recirculates the gases.
usually the manifold gets dirty and is oily.

do seafoam also..

search "seafoam"

sq_camry · 09-26-2005, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skewe

while doing that, it does not hurt to clean the intake manifold cos that is where the PCV recirculates the gases.
usually the manifold gets dirty and is oily.

do seafoam also..

search "seafoam"

so in other words, if i have never dared open the engine, its better if i pay 1-- to let a pro do it. i have worked on small engines, but i dont plan on spending more money on something that could have been prevented.

and btw, i just replaced my front discs with ceramics because they squeeked so bad. the drums were fine last time i checked.

but, could you describe the procedure for cleaning the pcv valve or whatever...

NCGuy68 · 09-26-2005, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sq_camry

could you describe the procedure for cleaning the pcv valve or whatever...

Throw it in a can full of kerosene and let it soak - the longer the better. Blow it out with air. If it rattles when you shake it, its good to go.

Run a can of Seafoam thru the engine. Suck it thru the brake booster vacuum line. Follow the directions on the can. Real good top end cleaner.

touringcamry · 09-26-2005, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sq_camry

so in other words, if i have never dared open the engine, its better if i pay 1-- to let a pro do it. i have worked on small engines, but i dont plan on spending more money on something that could have been prevented.

and btw, i just replaced my front discs with ceramics because they squeeked so bad. the drums were fine last time i checked.

but, could you describe the procedure for cleaning the pcv valve or whatever...

The stuff I listed above is very easy to do. Coolant flush, transmission flush, and spark plugs and wires are very easy to do.

The PCV valve on the I4 engine is on the top of the valve cover. Disconnect the hose and yank it out. Replace with new one, approx US$6. Reconnect the hose and you're done.

sq_camry · 09-27-2005, 12:05 AM

can anyone tell me exactly where the valve is, i looked up this on the internet and know where the general location is... but a picture would show me exactly what im looking for. around the throttle body?

***RningOnFumes*** · 09-27-2005, 12:13 AM

at the end of where the last zero in 2200 is, you see that short hose that goes between the intake plenulum and the cover? that.

sq_camry · 09-27-2005, 12:27 AM

ah, thanks a lot, i would have been guessing for hours, i looked at the hood diagram and that didnt help much... neither did the manual.. or google...

well, ill go to the auto parts store tomorrow and see them about getting a new one if that is a problem.

not sure if i should go about flushing the coolant, i dont really dont have much experience with doing that and i dont want to mess something up as far as getting air bubbles in the system.

touringcamry · 09-27-2005, 01:23 AM

I flushed my coolant, and transmission myself for the first time a couple months ago also. Fairly simple task.

Get yourself a Haynes or Chilton manual. They help a lot.