How bad is this?

[MK2]

I was planning to replace my Camry's PCV, but ended up opening the valve cover because the grommet broke into pieces. Being almost a 20 year old car, I wasn't surprised on what I saw.

But what do you guys think of this? I already put a pint of MMO with Mobil 5000 1k miles ago and I'm planning to change the oil again tomorrow.

Thanks in advance.

 

[ltslimjim]

Is that last picture of your engine after cleaning efforts?

 

[Brons2]

Try M1 high mileage and run a couple of 3K OCIs.

 

[CharlieJ]

A little sludge isn't going to kill your engine.

 

[MK2]

Originally Posted By: ltslimjim
Is that last picture of your engine after cleaning efforts?


Nope, same condition, just a different angle.

 

[Oregoonian]

What oil were you using? Conventionl or synthetic?

How often did you change your oil (OCI)....and what flavor (5w30 or something else)?

What filter?

How have you driven the car. (Mostly highway, city, stop and go.

 

[MK2]

Originally Posted By: Oregoonian
What oil were you using? Conventionl or synthetic?

How often did you change your oil (OCI)....and what flavor (5w30 or something else)?

What filter?

How have you driven the car. (Mostly highway, city, stop and go.


I bought the car last December after selling my 4Runner. I don't have a maintenance record of it.

 

[Merkava_4]

That engine needs MaxLife with an OCI of 1700 miles until the varnish is gone.

 

[oilboy123]

I would use Auto-RX to liquefy the varnish and sludge as much as possible. Don't want the junk clogging up your pick up screen.

 

[Schmoe]

That's not bad at all. As far as the varnishing, I wouldn't sweat that at all and don't be all freaked out if you don't get it back to 100% shiny metal. Sometimes we're a little to anal about these things. The gears look really good and not worn, good sign. I'd be willing to bet that previous owner used a dino oil and long OCI's. I'd look for a cheap high detergent motor oil and good filter and run it for a couple of thousand miles and then do the paper towel test.....pull out the dipstick and put a couple of blobs of the engine oil on it and see what it looks like and see if it spreads out in a circle. If really dark and not spreading, change out the oil and repeat. You should start seeing the change intervals increase with mileage, a sign the detergents are doing their job. I'd also use a "thinner" oil.......5W-20 for now.

 

[Eddie]

Looks good to me also. I see no scuffing on the cam lob noses or other wear issues. The varnish is not hurting anything but, looks. As to a cleanup, I defer to Schmoes suggestions except not so sure about a "thinner" oil.

 

[Papa Bear]

Put the cover back on and forget that you even took it off.

Fill with recommended vis. dino (whatever is on sale) and an ST filter.

Continue on with life, your Camry will be fine.

 

[Cause4Alarm]

no worries there, just use a quality oil and filter and change it often.....it should clean right up

 

[R2d2]

Change the PCV, and do a couple short oci runs. I'd personally would use PP or Mobil 1.

 

[MK2]

Thanks guys, you gave me a little peace of mind. I changed the PCV already. I have another set of Mobil 5000 and a Supertech filter already, I might use it first then put PP or Mobil 1.

Anyway, the radiator is leaking slightly at the top (neck) part, but it doesn't overheats. Will it affect the smog test or replace it first?

 

[eljefino]

Often for tailpipe sniffers it's advisable to heat a car all the way up and let it idle before the test. This will stress that weak radiator. Get one off ebay or rockauto for under 100 bucks...

 

[MK2]

Thanks for the tip Elj, I'm planning to get it at Rockauto for $67 out the door or from Autozone $89 plus tax with lifetime warranty. The brand is Spectra.

 

[webfors]

Originally Posted By: Papa Bear
Put the cover back on and forget that you even took it off.

Fill with recommended vis. dino (whatever is on sale) and an ST filter.

Continue on with life, your Camry will be fine.


+1

It's gotten this far on whatever maintenance schedule it's been through. Change the oil regularly, do other regular maintenance and drive the car

 

[MK2]

Originally Posted By: webfors
Originally Posted By: Papa Bear
Put the cover back on and forget that you even took it off.

Fill with recommended vis. dino (whatever is on sale) and an ST filter.

Continue on with life, your Camry will be fine.


+1

It's gotten this far on whatever maintenance schedule it's been through. Change the oil regularly, do other regular maintenance and drive the car

Thanks for all your suggestions, I just changed the engine oil this morning, the engine is quiet and runs great!

So far I already did the following:

-transmission cooler line flush and filter change
-throttle body cleaning and a bottle of FI system cleaner
-replaced front break pads and hardware with brake fluid flush
-replaced PCV
-changed thermostat, rad cap and radiator hoses
-changed air filter
-upgraded wheels with hardly used (2009 Hyundai Sonata 16") rims and tires that I got from Craigslist

Next project will be the radiator and complete tune-up.

Thanks again BITOGers!

 

[mjoekingz28]

Are those timing gears? My car has sprockets and a chain. Other cars use a timing belt and pulleys.


I thought gears were exotic, like on Ducati superbikes!?