one of my good friends, his gf has a 1995 toyota camry, rough shape, with about 185k miles. She mentioned the other day, that in about a year or so, shell be getting a new car, and that shell give me the camry. needless to say i was shocked. It has the 3.0 V6, its in rough shape the body but the engine runs excellent. The only problem it has is something it thought you guys can help me out with. It loses a good bit of oil, probably a quart every 4k miles. When i get it, ill chnage the PCV valve, its probably never been changed. It seeps a tiny bit around the valve covers, so ill change the gaskets. If it is burning, which i dont think it is, im thinking of using either some 5W40 or 10W40. should this help with the connsumption?
free toyota camry!
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I hope changing the PCV valve and changing the gaskets help. I already checked the oil once, it had no oil on the dipstick, and was running fine! lol
it usually needs about half a quart every 1-2k.
that's pretty acceptable consumption for a car that's so old.
That oil consumption is normal for an old Toyota. The issue in those years is sludge if it was not properly maintained. That oil is too thick, go with a 5w30. I've had great success with M1 high mileage 5w30 in my Camry. Get some at walmart and put it in, will clean it up and deal with the leaks
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Not trying to be pessamistic but--dont count your chickens until there hatched!!
My Camry V-6 has over 285,000 miles. These engines did not develop the reputation a sludge-prone until the 1997 model year, due to, I believe, a change in the PCV plumbing set-up in 1997. I change the oil every 7K to 8K miles, using Mobil 1 10W-40. It uses maybe 1/4 qt. of oil between changes. Sometimes, these 1MZ's can develop a leak in the upper or lower oil pan gasket material/sealant, or at least mine did, appx. 20K miles back. After getting that repaired, back to no oil usage. Those 92 thru 96 models were, and still are, mighty good old vehicles...I'm keeping mine. I'm 67 years old and quite frankly want to see if I can outlast the old car. Our other 3 Toyotas are all much newer, but I still drive it on 1,500 to 2,000 mile trips. Heck, my wife does not hesitate to take 300 mile trips in it; just herself & our 2 young gradnkids, leaving her nearly new Camry at home...it is truly that reliable!
That amount of consumption doesn't seem to bad at all. Like you mentioned change the PCV and check the valve cover gaskets and you should be good to go. A high mileage oil would probably soften up the other seals if their weeping. Don't forget the other fluids.
We have one in the family that has 230K on the clock currently. Doesn't seem like it'll give up the ghost anytime soon.
We have one in the family that has 230K on the clock currently. Doesn't seem like it'll give up the ghost anytime soon.
Originally Posted By: SargeBB
My Camry V-6 has over 285,000 miles. These engines did not develop the reputation a sludge-prone until the 1997 model year, due to, I believe, a change in the PCV plumbing set-up in 1997. I change the oil every 7K to 8K miles, using Mobil 1 10W-40. It uses maybe 1/4 qt. of oil between changes. Sometimes, these 1MZ's can develop a leak in the upper or lower oil pan gasket material/sealant, or at least mine did, appx. 20K miles back. After getting that repaired, back to no oil usage. Those 92 thru 96 models were, and still are, mighty good old vehicles...I'm keeping mine. I'm 67 years old and quite frankly want to see if I can outlast the old car. Our other 3 Toyotas are all much newer, but I still drive it on 1,500 to 2,000 mile trips. Heck, my wife does not hesitate to take 300 mile trips in it; just herself & our 2 young gradnkids, leaving her nearly new Camry at home...it is truly that reliable!
Do you have that oil type/weight right? I was unaware there was a regular Mobil 1 10w40, thought it was only Mobil 1 High Mileage 10w40, and a Racing/Motorcycle 10w40
My Camry V-6 has over 285,000 miles. These engines did not develop the reputation a sludge-prone until the 1997 model year, due to, I believe, a change in the PCV plumbing set-up in 1997. I change the oil every 7K to 8K miles, using Mobil 1 10W-40. It uses maybe 1/4 qt. of oil between changes. Sometimes, these 1MZ's can develop a leak in the upper or lower oil pan gasket material/sealant, or at least mine did, appx. 20K miles back. After getting that repaired, back to no oil usage. Those 92 thru 96 models were, and still are, mighty good old vehicles...I'm keeping mine. I'm 67 years old and quite frankly want to see if I can outlast the old car. Our other 3 Toyotas are all much newer, but I still drive it on 1,500 to 2,000 mile trips. Heck, my wife does not hesitate to take 300 mile trips in it; just herself & our 2 young gradnkids, leaving her nearly new Camry at home...it is truly that reliable!
Do you have that oil type/weight right? I was unaware there was a regular Mobil 1 10w40, thought it was only Mobil 1 High Mileage 10w40, and a Racing/Motorcycle 10w40
Originally Posted By: thorromig
Not trying to be pessamistic but--dont count your chickens until there hatched!!
haha. my thoughts exactly.
Not trying to be pessamistic but--dont count your chickens until there hatched!!
haha. my thoughts exactly.
Originally Posted By: mobilaltima
It loses a good bit of oil, probably a quart every 4k miles.
I wouldn't call that a "good bit" of oil...that's not bad at all for a car with close to 200k and an unknown maintenance history. Heck, it's not bad for some much newer cars...
It loses a good bit of oil, probably a quart every 4k miles.
I wouldn't call that a "good bit" of oil...that's not bad at all for a car with close to 200k and an unknown maintenance history. Heck, it's not bad for some much newer cars...
I would use Valvoline Maxlife. It has seal conditioners that help stop leaks and also has extra antiwear additives. Thicker oil will not stop the car from leaking. I would stick to the recommended viscosity.
Originally Posted By: mobilaltima
one of my good friends, his gf has a 1995 toyota camry, rough shape, with about 185k miles. She mentioned the other day, that in about a year or so, shell be getting a new car, and that shell give me the camry. needless to say i was shocked. It has the 3.0 V6, its in rough shape the body but the engine runs excellent. The only problem it has is something it thought you guys can help me out with. It loses a good bit of oil, probably a quart every 4k miles. When i get it, ill chnage the PCV valve, its probably never been changed. It seeps a tiny bit around the valve covers, so ill change the gaskets. If it is burning, which i dont think it is, im thinking of using either some 5W40 or 10W40. should this help with the connsumption?
Originally Posted By: mobilaltima
one of my good friends, his gf has a 1995 toyota camry, rough shape, with about 185k miles. She mentioned the other day, that in about a year or so, shell be getting a new car, and that shell give me the camry. needless to say i was shocked. It has the 3.0 V6, its in rough shape the body but the engine runs excellent. The only problem it has is something it thought you guys can help me out with. It loses a good bit of oil, probably a quart every 4k miles. When i get it, ill chnage the PCV valve, its probably never been changed. It seeps a tiny bit around the valve covers, so ill change the gaskets. If it is burning, which i dont think it is, im thinking of using either some 5W40 or 10W40. should this help with the connsumption?
+2 on wait till you get it to worry about the engine.
First find out if it is burning oil or leaking most of the oil out. Higher weight oil will help stop any oil burn off, but a leak is a leak until fixed correctly.
Car should run another 200K miles on the engine and transmission if you baseline the fluids and get it back in order with the proper fluids.
Always remember to use toyota red coolant only.
Car should run another 200K miles on the engine and transmission if you baseline the fluids and get it back in order with the proper fluids.
Always remember to use toyota red coolant only.
Originally Posted By: JasonBraswell
Always remember to use toyota red coolant only.
Always remember to use toyota red coolant only.
Why don't you volunteer to do the maintenance on it while it is still NOT yours? That way it will be all in great condition when you own it. Of course, there is a slight chance that your friend's gf might just decide to keep the car longer because you made it run so good! Scratch that idea 
Originally Posted By: mobilaltima
one of my good friends, his gf has a 1995 toyota camry, rough shape, with about 185k miles. She mentioned the other day, that in about a year or so, shell be getting a new car, and that shell give me the camry.
from Golden Meadow? I know where that is! my wife used to live in Cut Off, been down to Grand Isle a few times. surprised you guys haven't fallen into the Gulf yet.
on topic, free camrys are great! mine was almost free; I gave a friend $300 for my '93. took some work for sure (it has 287K on it!) but cheap is still cheap, runs great.
one of my good friends, his gf has a 1995 toyota camry, rough shape, with about 185k miles. She mentioned the other day, that in about a year or so, shell be getting a new car, and that shell give me the camry.
from Golden Meadow? I know where that is! my wife used to live in Cut Off, been down to Grand Isle a few times. surprised you guys haven't fallen into the Gulf yet.
on topic, free camrys are great! mine was almost free; I gave a friend $300 for my '93. took some work for sure (it has 287K on it!) but cheap is still cheap, runs great.
Man, here I thought you were giving away a Camry....Darn.
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