Toyota Camry 4 cyl repairs

I have a 1993 Toyota Camry 4 cyl LE with 194,000 miles, looks/runs like new. Recently (within last 15000 miles) I have put on new struts, motor mounts, brakes, and tires. Today I went to the dealership to get 2 new front tires,(one blew out) and after tires were mounted the salesman greeted me with a list of repairs supposidly needed:

Both front CV boots- 444.00 (CV boots to not click)
Front Seals, timing belt, and drive belts- 474.70
VC gasket and dist. O ring- 179.88
Oil Pan reseal- 303.94
Rear main seal-626.70
Trans Pan Gasket-149.41

Mechanic says oil from front seals is leaking onto timing belt. I have known about a small leak for a while, but isn't enough to worry about. Is it possible for the oil to leak onto/ruin the timing belt? Any of this absolutly necessary? Thanks for help in advance!

What I meant to say is the CV boots DO NOT click.

is he seriouslly saying your engine is leaking from 3 different spots? ask where the exact spot it's leaking from and have that seal fixed

if the timing belt is covered with oil, it should be changed

the cv boots... i'm assuming that's the price for both CV Axels... if the boots let water and dirt in, then it's probablly a good idea to get them changed.

transmission pan gasket only if it's leaking, if not, the leave it alone. unless you wanted a transmission fluid change, then you have to get the fluid change, new filter and new gasket

some of those prices look pretty high to me

Get an opinion from somewhere else. Your CV joints do not click until they are in bad shape. If the boot is torn, you need at least one rebuilt half-shaft. If you don't notice a change in the oil level between oil changes, don't bother fixing the leaks. You don't need an oil-tight engine, you just need a reliable engine.

Both front CV boots- 444.00 (CV boots to not click)
Front Seals, timing belt, and drive belts- 474.70
VC gasket and dist. O ring- 179.88
Oil Pan reseal- 303.94
Rear main seal-626.70
Trans Pan Gasket-149.41

Mechanic says oil from front seals is leaking onto timing belt. I have known about a small leak for a while, but isn't enough to worry about. Is it possible for the oil to leak onto/ruin the timing belt? Any of this absolutly necessary? Thanks for help in advance!


1. CV boots $440 -- I believe this price is for boots only, not the halfshaft. Though replacing the halfshaft is much easier, the shaft is very pricy. If I remember right, once a dealer tried to charge me $1200 for replacing both shafts. The boot cost only about $40 each, rest should be labor. If your CV joint doesn't click, you can just replace the boot. The labor is very high since it's not an easy task. If you want cheap fix, buy from Napa (about $90 a piece), they have life time warranty and replace yourself.

2. Leaking seals not only add possible damage sources to your engine but also pollute the environment. Rear main is a pain in the ass to replace. If it leaks, you should see oil coming out right between the engine and tranny. Front seal and camshaft seal do leak onto the timing belt if leaking seriously. But I do not believe all the seals are leaking. Ask to see it yourself.

3. If the timing belt is soaked with oil, it's better to replace it. Worst case if it breaks, you are stranded on the road, no damage should occur to the engine.

4. Drive belts -- these belts are very very durable. Even the rib side has cracks, it's still considered acceptable.

5. Oil pan and tranny pan -- are they really leaking? if it leaks from the rear main, the oil will be all over these 2 pans. That doesn't mean they are leaking too. And if they are really leaking, unless the gasket is damaged significantly, you can just tighten the bolts around the pan.

6. VC gasket -- he is trying to adjust the valve clearance. It is a maintenance item. But you can make a easy judgement if you need it : do you hear the engine clicking when going uphill? If so, adding premium gas should eliminate the clicking, if not, you may need to adjust VC.

7. Distributor O-ring -- another source of oil leaking. The O-ring costs about $3.00. You do need to check the timing after replacing it.


My suggestion, for leaks, ask the mechanic to pin point the leaking spot so you can see it and confirm it, not just replacing everything, since you are paying, he won't care where really leaks, the more he can replace, the more money he makes. The most possible leaking spots are distributor O-ring and rear main.

I paid $90 each for rebuilt half-shafts. Not pricey

You can buy them here for $62

http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/autopartsplace/quote.jsp?PBJ=050207_010038_0877450374_TOY_X&year=1993&make=TO&product=K4000-106421&application=000655350

Parts and labor on half-shafts is only a little more than the CV boots. That's why most people replace the whole half-shaft.

Ok, thanks for all your help.

Oil leak can slip the timing belt. It happened to me, when I was told by the mechanic. I payed $300 to replace the timing belt

Might want to read thread labeled "CVBoots/CV Shafts" dated 02/24/06 by TK_Neo concerning your CV Boots. It gives you other options.

As for the timing belt yes, change it. The oil is probably from a bad crankshaft seal. It is usually changed with the timing belt. If the oil weakens and breaks the belt, and it will, you won't go anywhere.

For the rest, as Brian R said, go somewhere else for a second opinion.

I have a 1993 Toyota Camry 4 cyl LE with 194,000 miles, looks/runs like new. Recently (within last 15000 miles) I have put on new struts, motor mounts, brakes, and tires. Today I went to the dealership to get 2 new front tires,(one blew out) and after tires were mounted the salesman greeted me with a list of repairs supposidly needed:

Both front CV boots- 444.00 (CV boots to not click)
Front Seals, timing belt, and drive belts- 474.70
VC gasket and dist. O ring- 179.88
Oil Pan reseal- 303.94
Rear main seal-626.70
Trans Pan Gasket-149.41

Mechanic says oil from front seals is leaking onto timing belt. I have known about a small leak for a while, but isn't enough to worry about. Is it possible for the oil to leak onto/ruin the timing belt? Any of this absolutly necessary? Thanks for help in advance!


Nick,

That's what they basically told me about 4-5 months ago for my Camary!!!
Only after less than 20,000 miles of small time driving they already said that my Timing Belts needs to be replaced AGAIN!? I'd question them on that. So far all they want is timing belt, seals, transmission. Can you hear hear the cash regirster opening? Now a days it's hard to shell-out that kind of money cause your looking well over 2 grand! I'd concentrate on the biggies first. Belts, Seals and Axle Boots. In the furture you can help save the BOOTS by getting some silicone seal from an auto parts store and spray them down with a rag yourself or buy Armour All to keep the rubber nice and soft. If they rip you can't do anything about that but you can do something little to make a big difference. You have to question business practices. Basically they're job is to bring in revenue for the big boss. They'll twist word around and make you feel your at fault and your not doing your manly job of spending money to fix your Camary. You need to keep your receipts or make some sort of log book that way you can tell if and when they're gonna try to make the big offer to you. If I can wait a couple of months I too will need to take the plunge and give em my hard earned money too. Don't feel bad they do it to thousands of people everyday.

rimfire,22

Hi I met similar problem here, but what is the front seal? and what is real seal? what I was told is "camshaft and crankshaft seal is leaking", are they front seal? Also I heard oil pump seal may leak too, is that ture?

I have a 1993 Toyota Camry 4 cyl LE with 194,000 miles, looks/runs like new. Recently (within last 15000 miles) I have put on new struts, motor mounts, brakes, and tires. Today I went to the dealership to get 2 new front tires,(one blew out) and after tires were mounted the salesman greeted me with a list of repairs supposidly needed:

Both front CV boots- 444.00 (CV boots to not click)
Front Seals, timing belt, and drive belts- 474.70
VC gasket and dist. O ring- 179.88
Oil Pan reseal- 303.94
Rear main seal-626.70
Trans Pan Gasket-149.41

Mechanic says oil from front seals is leaking onto timing belt. I have known about a small leak for a while, but isn't enough to worry about. Is it possible for the oil to leak onto/ruin the timing belt? Any of this absolutly necessary? Thanks for help in advance!

Hi I met similar problem here, but what is the front seal? and what is real seal? what I was told is "camshaft and crankshaft seal is leaking", are they front seal? Also I heard oil pump seal may leak too, is that ture?


bupthmt,

The front seal pertains to the camshaft. I believe their refering to the crankshaft seal is the same. In addition I think the oil pump is mistaken for the water pump instead. I've heard the water pumps are very strong and in reality doesn't requiring changing every 60,000 miles. Many post indicate they can last almost an easy 100K so if it you have fairly low miles then why spend more money than necessary? Don't get taken in by truths that are being stretched. I was taken in for many years and now recently I've seen the light.:banghead: being ripped-off for years from the same people that are suppose to help you. Instead their only interested in is your hard earned money.:banghead: :crying: :evillol: Besides that it's always possible that the water pump seal can leak causing you to replace the pump. As long as it's dry then don't try to repair something that doesn't need it. There are honest dealerships out their. You just have to try them and feel them out.

rimfire,22

rimfire,

I was told it is leaking from the oil pump (that need to be replaced ), and given a quote around $500, is it a reasonable price? And what if I don't fix that , but take care of the oil level and keeping adding oil in, is there any other harm ( like crank/cam seal leaking will contaminate timing belt) ? thanks

bupthmt,

The front seal pertains to the camshaft. I believe their refering to the crankshaft seal is the same. In addition I think the oil pump is mistaken for the water pump instead. I've heard the water pumps are very strong and in reality doesn't requiring changing every 60,000 miles. Many post indicate they can last almost an easy 100K so if it you have fairly low miles then why spend more money than necessary? Don't get taken in by truths that are being stretched. I was taken in for many years and now recently I've seen the light.:banghead: being ripped-off for years from the same people that are suppose to help you. Instead their only interested in is your hard earned money.:banghead: :crying: :evillol: Besides that it's always possible that the water pump seal can leak causing you to replace the pump. As long as it's dry then don't try to repair something that doesn't need it. There are honest dealerships out their. You just have to try them and feel them out.

rimfire,22