valve seals

Ranga · #1 10-09-2006, 09:23 PM

I have a 97 Camry which produces bluish smoke ,only when I start it first thing in the morning. From your forum I have realised that it must be due to the valve stem seals which might have worn out.
How much should a job like this cost ? Any feed back on this will be a great help.

Thanks.

JOET/CAMRY · #2 10-10-2006, 04:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranga

I have a 97 Camry which produces bluish smoke ,only when I start it first thing in the morning. From your forum I have realised that it must be due to the valve stem seals which might have worn out.
How much should a job like this cost ? Any feed back on this will be a great help.

Thanks.

Hello Ranga,

your probrally right about the valve seals being worn out somewhat. if the car smokes just a little bit when you start it up you might want to leave it be. It's not going to hurt the engine.

Regards,

JOET/CAMRY

Daniel M. Dreifus · #3 10-10-2006, 08:54 AM

I used auto-rx.com then 5W30 Mobil 1 synthetic with 20% Lucas heavy duty oil stabilizer to solve the leak down past the oil seals over night.
Otherwise, you're replacing them periodically.
The Lucas product clings sufficiently to prevent the problem - and I used to have fairly dense clouds of oil smoke occasionally on cold start. For many years now has been zero.
I feel this helps save the O2 sensor which typically lose effectiveness from carbon loading.

Mike Gerber · #4 10-13-2006, 08:18 AM

I agree with leaving this problem alone. Just monitor the oil consumption for a while, to see if it is going down a sufficient amount to warrant valve seal replacement. My 94 Camry 5SFE engine does this occasionally, but I have never seen a drop in the oil level.

Mike

RIP · #5 10-13-2006, 10:46 AM

I have an 87 Camry wagon and for several years it would smoke at start up for a few minutes then stop. Never had an oil consumption problem. Then one day I noticed no more smoke. I never did anything to it. It now has 244K miles on it and still no smoke. I agree. Leave it alone.

Found this info about oil additives specifically Lucas oil. Conclusive? Maybe not but, something to think about. http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/images/lucas/lucas.htm

Daniel M. Dreifus · #6 10-13-2006, 04:06 PM

All I can say about "Bob's" Lucas study is that I've run the engine hard, pulled the dipstick and never seen any air entrapment.

RIP · #7 10-13-2006, 06:39 PM

Yup. I know how it is to use a product forever and read negative things about it. I've used nothing but Fram filters for 35 years. Many say they don't do the job. I've had 9 cars and have had one engine related problem and it has 244K miles on it. I'm sticken with Fram.

"Bob" made an interesting test but I don't think it recreated true conditions. I think at best it's just something to kick around and discect.

Brian R. · #8 10-13-2006, 06:52 PM

OMG Fram!

RIP · #9 10-13-2006, 08:03 PM

Ya I know Brian. It's Toyota or nothing for you. FRAM works for me. Cheers!

JOET/CAMRY · #10 10-13-2006, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RIP

Ya I know Brian. It's Toyota or nothing for you. FRAM works for me. Cheers!

RIP,
I have used the basic fram oil filters on and off for years. for the last 4 oil changes I have done I have used the advanced auto brand name oil filter. it says compare to fram oil filter right on the box. it's probrally a fram filter but with advanced auto logo printed on it. when I compare them side by side they look identical. it cost me around $2.88 for the filter.

they seem to do a good job. I change the oil in my 1989 camry every 5000 miles and when I do it doesn't look that bad.

JOET/CAMRY

RIP · #11 10-13-2006, 10:56 PM

Yup. Everyone has their comfort zone and FRAM fits mine and yours. It boils down to what you think is more cost effective and works for you. I have known people at both extremes. One never changed his oil at all. When his cars hit 100K miles he sold it. Said he'd been doing that for 50 years and only lost one engine. The other has an 04 Highlander and he uses nothing but AMSOIL, changes it every 5K miles and installed a secondary filter system to boot. He even gets the oil analyized now and then. So, one spends squat and one spends dearly. The point is their systems work for them and they are comfy with it. Who are we to argue? Based on those benchmarks, you can't go wrong if you change your oil and filter at least every 5K. FRAM probably isn't the best filter but, is the best necessary? Comfort zones vary far and wide.

Mike Gerber · #12 10-14-2006, 11:17 AM

I also have been using Fram oil filters for about 30 years. I use dino oil and 3 months, 3000 mile oil changes. The only time I deviate from Fram is if I see a sale at Pep Boys while I am there. Then I usually pick up a Purolator filter if that is what they have on sale. I have never had an engine related problem.

Mike

Ranga · #13 10-17-2006, 11:05 PM

Thank you all for a very informative session. I think I will leave the engine alone for the time being and hopefully everything should be fine.

Ranga.

Mike Gerber · #14 10-18-2006, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranga

Thank you all for a very informative session. I think I will leave the engine alone for the time being and hopefully everything should be fine.

Ranga.

Don't forget to monitor the oil consumption.

Mike

RIP · #15 10-18-2006, 07:56 PM

Mike Gerber - Sorry for the second hijack but, was it you who was getting the 07 Camry? If so, how do you like it?

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