[schach]

Bought a 1995 Camry Wagon in San Fran and drove it home, about 300 miles this weekend. I did not check the oil, thought owner said he had just changed it. This afternoon, engine light came on...went home, about 10 miles...stopped, looked at car, and saw substantial oil leaking...Wagon has 87,000...check oil, looked like there was practically none...but oil light never came on in dash, so maybe there is still some...Am planning on just towing it to mechanic...I am so bummed, anyone have any ideas?
thanks for your time

Schach

 

[LynchburgCSI]

Which engine? 4 cylinder or 6?

 

[Safari Wagon]

When you "stopped", do you mean the car stopped? If so, you may have a big problem.
If you just stopped and saw oil leaking, then it may not be a big deal.
What is "substantial" to you? You can probably add oil and drive it to the shop or home if it is not puring out.

 

[LittleWhiteBubble]

Those oil lights detect oil pressure not low oil, I've had cars that leaked like crazy and would have only one out of 5 quarts of oil in it and the light wouldn't come on. That light doesn't mean much IMO

 

[ghettosled]

when you said there was practically none, was there oil even on the dip stick when you checked it? if so (even if below the add line) you are probably fine since you arent continuing to drive it when low. maybe if it was just changed, the filter or plug in the pan might not be tight enough. i just came across a loose oil filter in my buddy's caravan that was leaving a puddle everywhere he parked. he just had the oil changed a week prior and the quick oil place never tightened the filter.

 

[djb2]

It sounds like the oil pressure light came on and he continued to drive 10 miles home.

If it was the oil pressure light, driving 10 miles did substantial damage.

Having the car towed to a mechanic hints that there are additional problems. If the car still ran, why not just refill with oil and drive to the mechanic?

There is a real disconnect between continuing to drive with an indication that there is a problem, but getting a tow later.

 

[schach]

Bought a 1995 Camry Wagon in San Fran and drove it home, about 300 miles this weekend. I did not check the oil, thought owner said he had just changed it. This afternoon, engine light came on...went home, about 10 miles...stopped, looked at car, and saw substantial oil leaking...Wagon has 87,000...check oil, looked like there was practically none...but oil light never came on in dash, so maybe there is still some...Am planning on just towing it to mechanic...I am so bummed, anyone have any ideas?
thanks for your time

Schach

Monday 11am

Mechanic got a chance to look at it. Problem was that the previous oil filter was wrong size, for a four cylinder, rather than 6. Yesterday, apparently, the edges gave way, and oil started leaking.
The engine light coming on was just coincidental, oxygen sensor, unrelated to problem.
Solution was to put correct oil filter on and refill with oil.
Mechanic said it never got below two quarts, not great, but better than nothing. Bringing it in wed for timing belt, etc.
Thanks to all for responding
Schach

 

[djb2]

OK, that's far better than an oil pressure light being on for 10 miles.

I am a little confused though. I thought that the oil filters for the 4 and 6 cylinder engines have the same base size, and only the height was different. The gasket for both is around 3" (sometime 2.98" or 3-1/32"). The 6 cylinder oil filter can be used on the 5s-fe with the advantage of more filter surface area.

It's possible that the filter part was wrong but fit OK, only that the gasket had rolled an edge and was spraying oil. The part number mistake was only incidental to the installation error.

 

[schach]

OK, that's far better than an oil pressure light being on for 10 miles.

I am a little confused though. I thought that the oil filters for the 4 and 6 cylinder engines have the same base size, and only the height was different. The gasket for both is around 3" (sometime 2.98" or 3-1/32"). The 6 cylinder oil filter can be used on the 5s-fe with the advantage of more filter surface area.

It's possible that the filter part was wrong but fit OK, only that the gasket had rolled an edge and was spraying oil. The part number mistake was only incidental to the installation error.

 

[schach]

yup!

I think you have it right on. The mechanic showed me both...looks like diameter is the same, height different...I am not sure why but it makes a difference...the edges got worn and that is where the oil spew...

Thanks again for your interest
schach

 

[Combomambo]

Monday 11am

Mechanic got a chance to look at it. Problem was that the previous oil filter was wrong size, for a four cylinder, rather than 6. Yesterday, apparently, the edges gave way, and oil started leaking.
The engine light coming on was just coincidental, oxygen sensor, unrelated to problem.
Solution was to put correct oil filter on and refill with oil.
Mechanic said it never got below two quarts, not great, but better than nothing. Bringing it in wed for timing belt, etc.
Thanks to all for responding
Schach

Damn sounds like God was lookin out for you lol.
O2 sensor is what toyota got wrong I think cause mine has been causing a check engine light for the last year.