[para32]

I have a 2007 Camry LE with the 4cyl and 125,000 mi on it. The sheetmetal and the interior are spotless. The only problem is that when it has sat overnight and I go to start it, there is a cough of oil smoke that goes away almost immediately.....valve guides I am assuming.

My first thought was the replace just the cylinder head. But then I read up on the Gen 6 Camry and from year to year the engines are actually quite different.
I guess I picked a looser in 2007 in that there was something bad about the design of the piston rings.....so why would I put a new cyl head on an engine with
potentially bad piston rings that probably will not last

I also know enough with differences in sensors, etc just popping a 2008 or 2009 engine will not work. Can I get a Reman 2007 engine with a 2009 style rotating assembly & pistons? Otherwise I probably will not bother

 

[CamPoo]

So a puff of smoke at startup is leading to a decision to replace the engine? Just how much oil does it go thru in say about 1,000 miles?

 

[retiredat444]

my question is how much oil does the car use? it isn't the puff of smoke that I would base replacing the engine, it is the amount of oil it uses.

 

[para32]

About a quart every 2 mo's
Would never be able to sell it in that state either

 

[para32]

Lets say I wait until the engine blows or it uses a ton of oil, what then?
Can I even get a good engine or am I stuck with a 2007 style engine?

 

[1ZZ-FE1999]

Lets say I wait until the engine blows or it uses a ton of oil, what then?
Can I even get a good engine or am I stuck with a 2007 style engine?

Ok so the 2007 normally burns oil thru the rings. Surprised it has a puff of smoke on startup tbh.
My 2004 Camry has had the puff of smoke on startup ever since I bought it (yes I bought it knowing it did that) at 100k miles. I’m at 237k. Run high mileage synthetic oil (I like mobile 1 HM 5W-30) and change it every 5k miles. Oil is cheap.
If it is actually burning oil thru the rings, you could try B12 Chemtool and soak the pistons with it a few times. A YouTuber has had good results doing that with his Corolla that also burns oil thru the rings.

 

[new echo owner]

Blue smoke during cold start usually means valve seal issue, far from needing an engine! Doesn't take much to take care of that!
A qt every two months, how many miles would that be though; if it is more than 1k, you are fine for oil usuage!
Just replace the valve seals and you are all set for another whatever amount of miles that maybe!
Just saying!

 

[Demoncow666]

the 07 to 09 2.4s burn a quart every 700 to 1000 miles cause of bad piston design. any 07 to 09 will have that problem unless the engine was rebuilt

 

[Rinspeed]

.
If it is actually burning oil thru the rings, you could try B12 Chemtool and soak the pistons with it a few times. A YouTuber has had good results doing that with his Corolla that also burns oil thru the rings.

Next oil change I'm going to try a piston soak with the B12 Chemtool. Hopefully it will help some.