87' Camry-Synthethic oil?

Hi, I have an 87' CAmry 2.0L with 178,000km's(106,000Mi). Is it safe to use Mobil1 synthetic oil? My engine also has a minor leak in the camshaft/crank seals will this leak more with synthetic? Thanks

it would be safe to use and yes it may leak more.

In news: snipped-for-privacy@localhost.talkaboutautos.com, squeezy being of bellicose mind posted:

Get the oil seals replaced first. While you're getting the cam seals done, might as well replace the crankshaft seal seal too. And speaking of leaks on such an old car (in terms of time passage), how much oil seepage is present at the crankshaft rear main seal?

I had the car insurance inspected and they mentioned the oil leak "appears" to be coming from the cam/crank seals, so I do not know how much. I was given the car several months ago, so I do not know for how long it was leaking. Now, it has been sitting unused for months until I could afford to fix the seals.

My 88 Camry 2.0 with only 95000 miles on it started leaking oil last week. Like a river. I took it to the shop and they replaced both seals while they had it tore down. Also recommended replacing the water pump and the timing belt at the same time. $627.00 later. I picked it up Friday and drove to work and then to another place, about 45 miles total.

"appears" to be coming from the cam/crank seals, so I do not know how much. I was given the car several months ago, so I do not know for how long it was leaking. Now, it has been sitting unused for months until I could afford to fix the seals.

What does your receipt say for work and parts. If he worked on the oil pump he owes you a motor , running it without oil screwed it good, it may run and Seem ok but its not.

If he replaced the oil pump gasket, he had to removed the pump, so he must have dropped the pump and that sheared the gear loose, they dont just come loose, " to my limited knowledge" and its just to coincidental. But your old receipt will show the oil pump gasket. I would have him fix it, pay him by CK and stop payment, then take your car somewhere else for an evaluation,. and talk to an atty and be ready for small claims court.

The receipt shows a new oil pump gasket on it. They won't take a check at this place. I thought I would just pick it up and not pay, but what would be the consequences?

If they know where you live they will tow the car back, at least in my town , Chgo area. Id suggest you contact your police dept and an atty, I wouldnt trust that guy, and your long life motor may not have much left in it at this point, but its an old car. Damage is certain but how much depends on how long it starved on oil. American Express credit cards stand behind customers on bad deals. but most others not really. You are in a tough spot, If you can take it get it and then get it to someone else for an evaluation of damage, and file suit right away

Depends. I doubt it. There is 3 areas oil will leak from a seal, cam seal, though, least likely to be the main culprit, then we have the crank seal and the oil pump seal. If they replaced the oil pump seal, they didn't tighten it or not enough. As for removing the entire oil pump from the block and replacing the large o-ring, I doubt this is what they did. The labor involved in doing this is big and you got quite a bit for $627. Check to see in the parts breakdown if you have a oil pump seal billed out. I'd bet someone owes you a new oil pump. Hopefully, your quick actions avoided severe damage, but wont know till its replaced and started.

See what parts was billed on your original repair order. Was this a dealer or independent?

Jamie, chill, you don't know me either??????

Tech, Thanks for the response. I guess it's just that this happens to often. I have met many great mechanics that would own up to making a mistake. I used to AC residential and commercial repair. Worked for a company that had no problem eating something that I damaged. It rarely happened, but never felt bad admitting to it and boss stood behind us. Best job I ever had. I guess there are good car salesman also....

Anyway, parts list on bill fluid and filter 3.95 timing belt 64.89 VC gasket 33.89 cam oil seal 14.80 water pump 69.88 oil pump gasket 27.47 antifreeze 14.99 labor 350.00

Meineke muffler shop, independently owned... Do you need to remove the gear to replace the oil pump gasket? They had already replaced the gasket, not the oil pump seal? Thanks..Jamie

know....Didn't

Meineke, you are lucky start by complaining to corporate. They have ins , even the owner may deal, they are a respected shop. When you said they dont take checks it sounded like a poor shop. With Tele CK im suprised they dont. It failed as I see it because they did something wrong with your pump. Left it loose, or cracked it by overtightening it .

I agree, he denies touching it. But to many things don't add up. He also said that since they already sold the job, that he replaced all the parts when it was really only just the oil pump gasket leaking. I'm OK with that since it sounds like he could do all that work while in there. But to deny making a mistake and wanting to charge me to repair it again at another big expense is tough. I live check to check and don't have much for Santa and the repair shop. Especially after dishing out 600+. And they just replaced the muffler and pipe last month for 200+. What do I do if they fix it and I refuse to pay for their mistake? They have not located a new gear yet and will try the dealer on Monday and call me with an estimate.

It doesnt appear from the parts breakdown that they did replace the oil pump seal. This is weird. And of course, the tech would have no reason to think it was lose. It looks like he didnt have it apart. You will need to repalce the oil pump, usually the pump and pump gear becoem shot after it comes lose. If you shut it down soon enough, the engien may be OK. Hard to tell.

Well, it appears there is no oil pump seal billed, so it appears he didnt touch it.

Obviously something happened there. So they wont admit it , they lie, what did you expect . They dont want a claim. 45 miles later is when you Noticed it . Persue them, I would.

Oh go away! There is no seal billed, there is absolutely no reason to remove the gear. I have seen these come lose for no reason, not a bunch, but it has happened. They remove the oil pump and repalced the seal between the pump and block, but not the seal behind the drive gear. So it appears they never had this off, nor would there be any reason to "check" the torque on it either.

Supposedly seals will leak more with synthetic because it is made up of smaller molecules that can slip through smaller places.

In my opinion on a car of that age i wouldn't worry about synthetic, it should run virtually forever on dinosaur oil with regular oil changes. The real advantage of synthetic is that it holds up better on newer vehicles that have a much higher operating temperature. And especially on turbocharged engines that will roast regular oil if you go to long on oil changes.