1997 Toyota Camry Engine issue

If he failed to fill the engine to the correct level, or overfilled it and this resulted in low oil-pressure causing a bearing failure and a busted cap-stud, then you shuld have seen the oil-pressure alarm light on the instrument-panel (speedo/tacho/fuel-gauge/coolant temp) illuminate. If the oil-pressure warning light was blown, it would be obvious when the key is in the "ON" position, engine stopped. The warning light should be on in this case.

If the oil-pressure alarm light is OK,..then you've had an engine failure which may well be due to inadequate oil-changes over long time. Get the oil-pan removed, as this takes bugger-all time and will reveal any sludge build-up. You could do this at home with a socket-set. Because you bought the car without any mainteance history, trying to get compo from Toyota may be difficult.

Why so much,..it is a 4 cyl isnt it ? Unless he's talking about a strip-down. If the rod-cap stud just broke, the crankshaft journal *may* be OK,..and just requires another conrod. That job will require removing the piston and rod, whichmeans a head removal. This will jack-up the price. Because the engine has 140,000 miles on it,..I'd get a used or 2nd-hand engine fitted. Should be reasonabley cheap from a wreckers.

Jason

Thanks Jason,

The oil pressure alarm light was OK. So I guess its not the mechanics fault....

Now I am in a dilemma, will it be actually worth it to do this? The car is in fairly good condition otherwise (as in from outside and all) but if this was a result of the previous owner not taking care of the car then something else might breakdown in the near future....

Can I sell this car as it is? If so how much should I expect.....I mean I bought this for $5000, thinking that I will drive it for 2 years and then get a new car So now would it be worth it to put in an extra $2500 bucks to get it repaired? I know this should be my decision but any insight that will help me decide would be really helpful

Saiyam

If the car is automatic transmission, check the dip-stick. The oil should be clear with no grey flecks thru it or cloudiness. If that's OK, and there is no oil on the ground over night, and the car's body and interior is in good order, a 2nd hand engine should be worth it.

Cars without a functioning engine lose more resale than it costs to replace an engine. Its just one of those things,..same for accident damage, a $10,000 car with $2000 worth of damage, will only fetch $5000 or less at auction. Its still a tough decision, but provided the rest of the car was in

*good* condition, an engine "remove and replace" job with a $1000 2nd-hand engine may only set you back $1500, but add $3000 to the resale of the car.

Jason

Does the car come with used-car warranty? If so 3 or 6 months? That generation of Toyotas are known for engine sludge. Toyota just settled the class action suit last month. If you are out of warranty then it'll be a couple of grand out of your pocket. :(

Read the following:

snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com wrote:

If you are complete out of warranty, consider pulling a junk yard engine and put it on for about $400-600 labor (many junk yard pulls actually come with 30 day warranties!). Then consider selling the car as suggested by others.

If the car was poorly maintained, the transmission could be next. The Aisin A140E is a fairly dirty transmission that could use more frequent ATF and strainer changes.

snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com wrote:

Thanks for your inputs, I have decided to buy a new car. In the meantime I will get this fixed and try to sell it.

Saiyam