[MagnificentBastard]

Hi all. Been lurking a bit, and there's a wealth of info here. Did a search, but didn't find exactly what I was looking for, so ...

Just bought an 02 Camry LE 4 cylinder. A tad over 100K, but very clean. The usual power accessories, nothing real special as I was fed up with my persnickety VW's and their myriad of problems. What is it today- electrical or mechanical? The surprises were endless. . My friends with Toyotas always seemed to be happy and driving, decided to take the plunge.

So what's the routine? Anything other than changing out fluids, filters, and getting intimately acquainted with it to do right off that bat? Will the 4 cylinder cars with this many miles take kindly to a synthetic oil introduction, or best to stay with dino oil?

I got zero history on the car other than it was owned by a corrections officer, and she just used it for a commuter. Is there a preferred manual (a'la Haynes, but not Haynes) that the consensus prefers? Source?

Also, it doesn't have keyless entry (probably), but does have an aftermarket alarm in it. I called my local Toyota parts department and the guy wasn't sure if it had the keyless or not. Shouldn't he be able to tell with the VIN #? He hemmed and hawed, and finally sorta decided it probably didn't. Can *I* decipher if it has the keyless from the VIN, or is that best left to the parts wizards with their magic machines?

TIA ...

 

[liquidi3ladz]

I switch to mobil 1 at 102k, no problems so far.
I thought all 02 were keyless, just an alarm system was an option? (someone correct me?)

 

[Netforcer]

sell it and get a gen6 ^____^

 

[TRD VVTi]

It's not problem to switch to synthetic at those miles. I've done it MANY times.

Do you have the factory maintenance guide? If so, just follow it.

I'm not sure if keyless was standard in '02 or not.

Enjoy your car and welcome to TN. The '02 Camry is very reliable when maintained properly.

 

[musashi]

My Camry is an 02 as well, and I can tell you that Keyless was an option for the 02's. I do not know if the alarm system has keyless as part of the package, but I know there are aftermarket parts to add keyless. I was thinking about that myself, except for the fact the dealer wanted $600 for the system with no install. I will wait on keyless.
As for what to watch out for (understand mine was a rental car, before I got it), I just had to rebuild my front axles (CV boots wore out), and the drive belt tensioner. If you have the time, take it to someone you trust and do a complete check on the CV boots, and pull the drive belt and check the rollers for any stiffness, then check the brakes. If everything there checks out then just the fluids and basic maintenance should be fine for many years. This is the most reliable car I have ever had, even though it was a previous rental. :clap:
I wish you the best of luck with yours, they are great cars.

 

[marc780]

Mines a 2002 V6 - theres only a couple routine things i'd do to every new-to-me car as soon as i get it. I assume nothings been done to it and i just go ahead and change the coolant, the oil, the power steering fluid (turkey baster in reservoir) and brake fluid.
-I will flush the brakes the first time i do a brake job.
-also inspect the CV joints for torn boots, if and when they tear, or the drive axles start to howl, i just change out the CV driveaxles for remanuf ones and i dont bother with attempting to repack or replace the boots.
-Clean the throttle body and IAC valve. Its easy, and there are several how-to posts here.

also your timing belt may be about due to be changed at 120,000 or so, since you dont know its history i'd assume it was never done (service interval for the 4 cylinder timing belt is 60,000). In addition, i'd consider changing the water pump and idlers too at that time.

I know all of this might sound like a huge outlay of expense for routine maintenance. But you can do it over a few months, and then the car should be good for many miles without needing much more attention from you.

 

[ScrooYoo]

is your camry an LE or CE? I believe the LE's have keyless standard while the CE's do not.

 

[liquidi3ladz]

CE trim got dropped for the Gen5.

 

[ScrooYoo]

CE trim got dropped for the Gen5.

yes, my bad. I think the model below the LE is just called "camry"

 

[liquidi3ladz]

Yep.

 

[TRD VVTi]

also your timing belt may be about due to be changed at 120,000 or so, since you dont know its history i'd assume it was never done (service interval for the 4 cylinder timing belt is 60,000). In addition, i'd consider changing the water pump and idlers too at that time.

I know all of this might sound like a huge outlay of expense for routine maintenance. But you can do it over a few months, and then the car should be good for many miles without needing much more attention from you.

You're right on one thing, that's for sure. Trying to replace a timing belt on a car that has a timing chain sounds like a huge outlay of cash. That doesn't even take into account that you are telling the OP he should consider replacing the water pump and idlers for no reason also.

Why do you keep posting your ignorant crap advice for other people? You are NOT helping anyone!

The 2AZ-FE has a timing chain.

I'll post again some of your other great blunders in advice:

1)Toyota requires a specific P/S fluid and not Dexron - Toyota has recommended Dexron and Dexron II for decades. Check the online manual.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t217403.html

2) Just moving the TPS around until the car idles correctly is acceptable. You cite that because you do it that it's fine. Actually, you need a scan tool or voltmeter to set it within specs. Check the online manual for verification.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/sh...d.php?t=217414

3) Impact wrenches are just as good as torque wrenches for installing wheels and not causing any problems. Again, you cite that because you do it that it's proper. That's not true. You can search ANYWHERE for supporting facts that you are incorrect.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/sh...20#post2041920

4) You also recommend that someone with a faulty accelerator pedal sensor replace the TPS instead. That will do nothing. The accelerator pedal sensor relays it's information to the ECU. The ECU decides what exactly the driver is trying to accomplish and signals the throttle body what to do. The TPS that's integrated into the throttle body tells the ECU what position the TB is at.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t218561.html

5) Here you suggest that an I4 2AZ-FE has a timing belt and cover by saying
Quote:
remove the timing belt cover and run the engine and listen for the noise. Be very carefull but put your hand or an object on the timing belt pulley to affect its operation - (use care not to get that thing tangled inthe engine!) and listen.
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/sh...36#post2023636

PLEASE be aware that you can NOT trust marc780 for information! He consistantly posts inaccurate information!

 

[CharmCityES]

congrats on the purchase
dont buy a gen 6 unless you want a myriad of toyota issues....

and your LE should have come equipped with keyless....all gen 5 LE, SE and XLE models came equipped with keyless...only the gen 5.5 05-06 base models came without keyless..you can most likely get a camry remote off ebay and have it programmed for your car.

as for maintenence, make sure the coolant and trans fluids are drained and filled or flushed with the proper toyota RED long life coolant and the toyota T-IV trans fluids reccomended by toyota. check your accessory drive belt for cracks/wear, check the clenliness of brake and power steering fluids, change oil and filter, and check your brakes. also, check all hoses and lines for wear, and check for any leaks around the valave cover (valve cover gasket) and oil pan (oil pan gasket)...if all appears well, you should be be fine with just the usual fluid changes.
i would not switch to full synthetic at this milage if the car has been run on dino oil, but a synthetic blend oil would be a great choice...a bit cheaper than full synthetic, and gives the benefits of synthetic and dino oils, and can be added at any interval.
as TRD mentioned above, the 2az has a timing chain, so no maintenence needed there
also, do check the waterpump for leaks, as they are known to go on the camrys.

 

[DrewsCam]

sell it and get a gen6 ^____^

lol x2

 

[JustAnotherAsian]

i've got some ideas in my sig...

 

[TRD VVTi]

Once again, switching to synthetic will not hurt anything at all. That used to be true a LONG time ago. Now it's simply a myth.

http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English...g_From_Conventional_Motor_Oil_to_Mobil_1.aspx

A simple search will provide numerous other sources of information stating the same.

 

[MagnificentBastard]

Thanks for everyone's replies.

Any known issues with the AC? I just had the refrigerant added this AM (dealer's service guy), and the cooling just isn't there. I've driven other Camrys, and know it should be putting out some chills. It's cooler air, but it's not AC cold for sure.

I bought as-is, so no recourse that way, it's my problem now.

 

[TRD VVTi]

Thanks for everyone's replies.

Any known issues with the AC? I just had the refrigerant added this AM (dealer's service guy), and the cooling just isn't there. I've driven other Camrys, and know it should be putting out some chills. It's cooler air, but it's not AC cold for sure.

I bought as-is, so no recourse that way, it's my problem now.

As far as cooling goes, there really isn't any issues with the A/C. There is a common problem with the A/C relay however. When the relay goes bad and you try to engage the A/C, the light will just blink and the A/C will not engage.

 

[marc780]

PLEASE be aware that you can NOT trust marc780 for information! He consistantly posts inaccurate information!

You Are Obnoxious and arrogant. :lol: I consistently get more praise for my advice than criticism, you're about the only person who seems to have a problem with what i say. Is there any way i can make posts that are visible to everybody except you? If i hear a whole bunch of people (instead of just one annoying troll) reiterating what you say, then i will get the Hell off this site on my own. I've been on this site for years: , you're the first, the loudest, the most persistent and certainly the most tactless critic of any posts of mine!

 

[TRD VVTi]

You Are An Obnoxious Neanderthal and All-Around Idiot. So There. :lol:

At least I'm smart enough not to post this kind of crap constantly for people that are actually looking for help:

I'll post again some of your other great blunders in advice:

1)Toyota requires a specific P/S fluid and not Dexron - Toyota has recommended Dexron and Dexron II for decades. Check the online manual.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t217403.html

2) Just moving the TPS around until the car idles correctly is acceptable. You cite that because you do it that it's fine. Actually, you need a scan tool or voltmeter to set it within specs. Check the online manual for verification.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/sh...d.php?t=217414

3) Impact wrenches are just as good as torque wrenches for installing wheels and not causing any problems. Again, you cite that because you do it that it's proper. That's not true. You can search ANYWHERE for supporting facts that you are incorrect.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/sh...20#post2041920

4) You also recommend that someone with a faulty accelerator pedal sensor replace the TPS instead. That will do nothing. The accelerator pedal sensor relays it's information to the ECU. The ECU decides what exactly the driver is trying to accomplish and signals the throttle body what to do. The TPS that's integrated into the throttle body tells the ECU what position the TB is at.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t218561.html

5) Here you suggest that an I4 2AZ-FE has a timing belt and cover by saying
Quote:
remove the timing belt cover and run the engine and listen for the noise. Be very carefull but put your hand or an object on the timing belt pulley to affect its operation - (use care not to get that thing tangled inthe engine!) and listen.
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/sh...36#post2023636

 

[marc780]

)

Toyota requires a specific P/S fluid and not Dexron - Toyota has recommended Dexron and Dexron II for decades. Check the online manual.

idiot, in my 2002 owners manual and on the cap itself (and on my 2001 Solara V6 as well) it says "POWER STEERING FLUID ONLY." So quit beating that dead horse. Ill post a picture for proof if you want.
I'll grant you the timing belt/chain confusion thing, that was a mistake. thanks for pointing it out.
Im getting very tired of arguing. I think ill change my handle or something to get away from you. Guess who i am now?