[Barksquire]

Greetings friends. I've recently taken in a neglected '93 Camry V6 XLE. It's in good shape visually, but struggling mechanically. I took it to the dealer to have them do a couple things and take a look to see what the car needed maintenance-wise. Some of the larger problems were as follows: 1) AC compressor shot, needs to be replaced. 2) Valve cover gaskets leaking oil, need to be replaced. 3) Distributor housing leaking oil internally. 4) Front oil seals leaking behind timing cover and timing belt may be oil soaked from front seals.

To fix all this I'm looking at close to 2 grand. This will not work. I'm willing to live without the AC for now, but the other things I would like to address ASAP. I am pretty handy, but not familiar with Camrys (yet).

Can anyone direct me to a write-up on any of the last three problems above, or offer any tips? I would greatly appreciate it.

Best regards,

Bark

 

[Deuce]

best resource besides shop manuals - Haynes Auto Repair Manual, available at any Toyota Dealer.

Consider that $2000 quote 75% shop time. You could most likely get those parts for maybe $800 tops including tools, if you're willing to do the work yourself.

However, the easiest thing to do would be to buy a new 3VZ engine and A/C compressor and not worry about it.

 

[chronoti]

i hate to say that distorbuter housing is expensive at lease last time i went looking for one, but with all that check ebay for a new engine every so offten it would be your best bet and some might come with a compressor. then you can turn the old engine in to a project engine and pimp it out and then drop it back in when your done

 

[Nico]

1) AC compressor shot, needs to be replaced. 2) Valve cover gaskets leaking oil, need to be replaced. 3) Distributor housing leaking oil internally. 4) Front oil seals leaking behind timing cover and timing belt may be oil soaked from front seals.

1) Get a used one : fill with the coorect amount of oil, buy a new receiver dryer, fill with oil, make a vaccuum, recharge with r134 and it's done. A used one CAN'T be expensive at all.
If you don't have the proper tools, just put the new receiver dryer and new compressor, filled with the correct oil and go to a garage for the vaccuum + recharge
2) Get a new one : it is CHEAP and easy to replace !
3) Get a used one !
4) A bit more work as you will have to replace the timing belt and probably change the oil pump gasket or such thing.

2000 bucks is a LOT of money for that kind of work : I am sure that if you did the work yourself just like I said it would never cost you more than 250

 

[Barksquire]

I am intrigued by the suggestions to replace the engine. Is this cost effective? How big of a project is this? Where would I find an engine and how would I know if it was any better than what I've got?

Thanks,

Bark

 

[jhbhatia]

Take it to a local shop and have then do the stuff to the older car. Buy OEM parts, and ac compressor from a junker!

 

[Barksquire]

Where should I get OEM parts?

Is the dealer the best place for parts or are there better suppliers out there. I'm planning on doing the valve cover gaskets this weekend, should I just pick those up at the dealer?

Thanks,

Bark

 

[Nico]

As for these gaskets it doesn't really matter, get an oem one or from a car part shop, just choose the one that takes you the less time to go and take it. These parts are very cheap, a bit cheaper from non oem but both are ok

 

[Your Uncle Moe]

If I was in your shoes, I'd get a new engine
Cuz as soon as you fix all that, more stuff is gonna go sour. By the sound of it, it seems that that car has been mistreated during its lifetime and Im sure you will find other problems with it.

But thats just my two cents.

 

[Camry_rider]

So Valve cover gaskets are easy on a 5s-fe? I have that problem
Its leakin right between the top part *where spark plugs go* and where the block is.

 

[Nico]

It's very easy on the 5sfe yes indeed !

 

[bowlofturtle]

gaskets are hard to do no matter what. Just curious how many miles on that camry ?

well it could be cost effictive pending on who installs your engine. i've seen 5sfe( 4 cylinder engines) go for about 800$ with 40k miles and 1mz( v6) for about 1300$ engine swapping is normally 2000$ in labor.

Its cost effiective because the dealer could only test the items that work. Say your valve gasket was broke and they couldn't test other stuff reguarding the gasket and so on. Aleast with a new engine you know it won't break down 2 months after your fix it.

 

[jhbhatia]

If I was in your shoes, I'd get a new engine
Cuz as soon as you fix all that, more stuff is gonna go sour. By the sound of it, it seems that that car has been mistreated during its lifetime and Im sure you will find other problems with it.

But thats just my two cents.

Valve cover gaskets leak in new cars too (my gen 4 camry with only 70K miles had a leak). if its too expensive to replace all then get a new engine, if its cheaper to replace little stuff, you'll save bundles on the labor!

 

[sleekaman]

no only engine issues

This vintage of Camry is notorious for Tranny problems, costed me $3500 can. two weeks ago. So be aware you can spend lots on the engine, which is a good idea, but save money for the tranny. Check out old threads on more problems ...what you've described I did go through also on some.

1) leaking valve cover seals
2) CV boots leaking, replaced two of them
3) seized wiper linkage
4) leaking air-con off the evaporator component
5) power anntennae failed (2 replaced)
6) windshiedl washer bottle cracked
7) squealing front brank pads (replaced)
8) dash light bulbs replaced

190,000 km on the clock, still a good car.