“New” 98 Camry LE

1919 Views 13 Replies 7 Participants Last post by camry98le, Apr 3, 2020

camry98le

Discussion Starter · Mar 3, 2020

Just bought a Camry and figured I’d join the forum. She has a healthy 233k miles and drives great. She’s a work/dog car because I’m tired of cleaning the Genesis and putting miles on it. Hopefully the Camry will be around for awhile. I’ve looked over some of the top mileage camrys on here and that’s impressive. My goal now is to get to 300k. Originally would like to get it up to 500k but that’ll take some driving!

As for the car, everything works. I’m in Pittsburgh for work for two weeks so I won’t be able to do anything with it. Only issue prevalent is the ABS light is on. Didn’t have time to scan it so I’ll do it when I get home. Previous owner stated new starter, timing belt/water pump at 197k miles, and new tires. I usually do some sort of preventative maintenance. When I get back, I’ll change the spark plugs and wires, egr valve, and the oil.

Any issues that you guys/girls can think of, please pass them along. Glad to be here!

Ty

Land vehicle Vehicle Car Sedan Luxury vehicle

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97trophy

· #2 · Mar 3, 2020

Nice.

Don't forget transmission and differential ATF, two different drain fill holes.

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camry98le

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 3, 2020

97trophy said:
Nice.

Don't forget transmission and differential ATF, two different drain fill holes.

Will do, thanks

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NOTAMR2

· #4 · Mar 4, 2020

I noticed your headlights are foggy. That's a common problem on the 3rd and 4th gen headlight lenses. I would clean them up with a kit and then put brighter bulbs in them.

Otherwise, that Camry looks mint!

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cbrc5eric

· #5 · Mar 4, 2020

That's funny I've been working on my hand-me-down 98 LE v6 (also with 233k mi) and its ABS light is also on. For some reason my scanner (fairly robust, could turn off SRS light on my BMW and Honda) wasn't able to read the Camry's ABS codes. BUT you can do some self diagnosis using a paper clip and a pen/paper (to count the blinks). I'll get the code manual when I'm near the car. Looks like it's in decent shape (mine has some minor rust and clearcoat flaking I'm treating). How's the suspension? Any parts ever been changed? The front strut mounts tend to deteriorate after a while (clunking noise while going over bumps), as do the valve cover gaskets (leak down rear of engine) and valve stem seals (blue smoke on start up after sitting for a while).

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camry98le

Discussion Starter · #6 · Mar 5, 2020

NOTAMR2 said:
I noticed your headlights are foggy. That's a common problem on the 3rd and 4th gen headlight lenses. I would clean them up with a kit and then put brighter bulbs in them.

Otherwise, that Camry looks mint!

Headlight restorer is a gimmick. For me the only thing that has worked is sanding down a bit and then buffing the lense. Even that wears away after a couple months. I was thinking of just getting two new housings since they only cost about $30 each.

As for mint, I appreciate the compliment lol but it is far from it. It’s a 20 footer for sure. The rain droplets hide the imperfections well. I’ll cut, polish, and slap some wax on there when it gets warmer but I didn’t buy it for looks.

cbrc5eric said:
That's funny I've been working on my hand-me-down 98 LE v6 (also with 233k mi) and its ABS light is also on. For some reason my scanner (fairly robust, could turn off SRS light on my BMW and Honda) wasn't able to read the Camry's ABS codes. BUT you can do some self diagnosis using a paper clip and a pen/paper (to count the blinks). I'll get the code manual when I'm near the car. Looks like it's in decent shape (mine has some minor rust and clearcoat flaking I'm treating). How's the suspension? Any parts ever been changed? The front strut mounts tend to deteriorate after a while (clunking noise while going over bumps), as do the valve cover gaskets (leak down rear of engine) and valve stem seals (blue smoke on start up after sitting for a while).

I’ve looked at some videos about it and it could be the speed sensor wire. When struts are changed, the weight of the wheel pulls the wire down and splits it. This is all from a video I watched so it could be something totally different. I’ll scan it once I’m back in town.

As for the suspension, I would assume some of the parts have been changed but I wouldn’t make any promises. There’s nothing that sticks out to me as far as needing replaced asap. However, I’d only driven it about 30 miles so once I start driving it regularly, I can answer that question more accurately. The valve cover gasket is easy and I plan on doing that soon as well. How does the v6 run? Have you done any preventative maintenance to it gets?

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NOTAMR2

· #7 · Mar 5, 2020

camry98le said:
Headlight restorer is a gimmick. For me the only thing that has worked is sanding down a bit and then buffing the lense. Even that wears away after a couple months. I was thinking of just getting two new housings since they only cost about $30 each.

Avoid TYC branded lights if you can. I've found them to be hit or miss in terms of build quality or beam focus. Go Toyota OEM if you can. Depo makes decent ones too if the Toyota ones are too expensive.

Land vehicle Vehicle Car Headlamp Bumper

It's too bad you can't get these Anzos for your car. They only fit 2000-2001. They work wonderful and are compatible with LEDs.
I guess you could try and retrofit them ...

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camry98le

Discussion Starter · #8 · Mar 5, 2020

NOTAMR2 said:
Avoid TYC branded lights if you can. I've found them to be hit or miss in terms of build quality or beam focus. Go Toyota OEM if you can. Depo makes decent ones too if the Toyota ones are too expensive.

View attachment 294225
It's too bad you can't get these Anzos for your car. They only fit 2000-2001. They work wonderful and are compatible with LEDs.
I guess you could try and retrofit them ...

Those headlights look good. I definitely will stay away from TYC, I've heard less than desirable things about them as well so thanks for the reminder. The OE headlights are a bit more expensive than what I was wanting to spend so it'll be aftermarket. I'll let you know what route I decide to take. I'll see how they are at night now. I may be able to get away with just a brighter bulb but we'll see.

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NOTAMR2

· #9 · Mar 5, 2020

camry98le said:
I may be able to get away with just a brighter bulb but we'll see.

I've had good luck with Silverstar Ultras.

Replacement Headlight Bulbs | Halogen, HID, Sealed Beam

Improve your night driving experience and see farther down the road. Whether you are looking for Style, Safety, or performance SYLVANIA has you covered!

www.sylvania-automotive.com

But I know some people haven't had as much luck.

But they work pretty good for my CRV and 94 3rd gen, and I live a city with horrible climate (Edmonton)

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camry98le

Discussion Starter · #10 · Apr 2, 2020 (Edited)

Finally got around to ordering some headlights and installing them. Came out great in my opinion. Some before and afters. Not really sure what the previous owner hit on the passenger fender but i had to bend the metal a bit for the headlight and side marker to clasp. Still works and much improved visibility. $52 bucks for the set.

One question though, I tried to angle the lights up because they point a good ways down but I couldn't get them to move up. Any ideas as to how I can angle them up other than the adjusters?

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M in KC

· #11 · Apr 2, 2020

Best is to adjust the light's patterns against a flat surface similar to this tutorial

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Tripleguy

· #12 · Apr 2, 2020

Any reason you don't wish to use the adjusters? I was able to aim mine pretty high with the adjusters. Actually had to lower them a bit. The lights just aren't that bright. Didn't feel like putting in brighter bulbs that only last a year. I have fogs on mine and use them on dark roads to illuminate the sides a bit more. Helps with deer during the fall rut.

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Hajoca

· #13 · Apr 2, 2020

You mentioned the ABS light. Does the ABS still work?

My V6 had the ABS light turn on, and occasionally the Traction control would kick in and reduce throttle.
It turned out to be the O2 sensor, (in my situation, it was the one closest to fire wall was failing). The O2 sockets with a slot cut out are a waste of time and money. Get a good 22mm box end wrench instead.

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camry98le

Discussion Starter · #14 · Apr 3, 2020

M in KC said:
Best is to adjust the light's patterns against a flat surface similar to this tutorial

I used my garage door as a guide. They are even but they wouldn't move up.

Tripleguy said:
Any reason you don't wish to use the adjusters? I was able to aim mine pretty high with the adjusters. Actually had to lower them a bit. The lights just aren't that bright. Didn't feel like putting in brighter bulbs that only last a year. I have fogs on mine and use them on dark roads to illuminate the sides a bit more. Helps with deer during the fall rut.

That's the thing, I used the adjusters and it didn't help. The top adjuster would just move the beam inward, like being cross-eyed. The bottom adjuster is impossible to get to but is that the one that does up and down adjustment? I didn't try it because of the lack of space to get in there.

Hajoca said:
You mentioned the ABS light. Does the ABS still work?

My V6 had the ABS light turn on, and occasionally the Traction control would kick in and reduce throttle.
It turned out to be the O2 sensor, (in my situation, it was the one closest to fire wall was failing). The O2 sockets with a slot cut out are a waste of time and money. Get a good 22mm box end wrench instead.

Good question. I haven't been in a situation where I've had to lock the brakes up. I have the 4 cyl so there isn't going to be any traction control issues LOL I doubt we'll see anymore ice or snow so it'll have to wait until then or when I have to brake to the point they would lock up. If I do, you'll either hear from me or not... If not, you know what happened.

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