07 Camry 4 cyl - oil recommendation

[bartleby]

My 2007 Toyota Camry 4 cylinder engine has 150,000 miles on it. Toyota recommends 5w-20 and this is always what I have used. I started using the high mileage 5w-20 at about 120,000 miles. They also recommend 5,000 interval, which I have always followed. I noticed about a year ago that it blows blue smoke when I start it in the morning, but doesn't do it after that. I have also started tracking my oil consumption and I am using about 1 qt every 1,500 miles. I know it's not horrible, but I would like to improve if possible.

Based on some searching it seems it's likely my valve seals, which I am not going to replace. Would there be a better, maybe heavier, oil that would minimize the leaking at the valve seals?

Other info: I live in Utah. I'm a pretty aggressive driver and I drive at the higher end of the speed limit most the time. I would say 80% or so of my driving is highway.

Thanks,
Justin

 

[Ramblejam]

Hello, Justin -- welcome to the forum! Couple of questions:

What's the temperature like where you're at?
What oil(s) have you previously used, and what are you currently using?

 

[bubbatime]

5W30 Valvoline Maxlife or 5W30 QS Defy

 

[Merkava_4]

You could even go up to 10W-30 without any problems.

 

[Ayrton]

Maxlife High Mileage is one of the best High Mileage products.

Of course, the engine is also getting a bit older so natural to have some small issues, probably no product will make enormous improvements.

You're already using a high mileage product, but...

Others have recommended trying the MaxLife in 5w-30 or 10w-30. I'd probably give that a whirl myself.

 

[Triton_330]

Hey Justin. I also recommend the VML HM that the others recommend. If your set on to stickin' to the 5w-20, afaik, VML does offer the HM in 5w-20. But, since it is an older engine, the tolerances have probably grown, and a 5w-30 could possibly be beneficial. Either way, VML HM is a great oil.

Side note - Don't worry about the PQIA warning on the valvoline 5w-20 because that was only for the conventional (and the nextgen conventional). The VML High Mileage was not included.

 

[edwardh1]

my camry 4 cyl was well cared for, blew some smoke at startup for years, sold it at 200,000

 

[bepperb]

Valve stem seals on the 2AZ-FE are pretty straighforward but I'd be inclined to try a xw-30 high milage oil and leave them be. I guess it depends on the condition of the car and how long you plan to keep it.

I'm not sure the book hours, it's probably 40 bucks in parts and 3-4 hours at the most.

 

[bartleby]

Thanks for all the responses. Good news is I am already using Maxlife HM. I am going to shift to the 5w-30 first to see if that helps at all.

bepperb - Although I never found anything for my specific engine, generally it seems a lot of people feel like the seals are really difficult. I also read that the replacement seals never are as good as the original. If it's a pretty easy task I may give it a shot one of these days as I would like to keep it going for as long a possible.

Thanks again for all the input.

 

[BAJA_05]

Have you ever changed your PCV valve? I have an 06 2.4L with 105,341 miles on it as today. Put in a new cabin filter and checked out the odometer when I logged it in my maintnance note book like always with the date. I changed out my PCV with my latest oil change last month. I inherited the car and also added a full can of MOS2 with the oil change and plugs also. No smoke soo far--knockin on wood!! Good luck!!

 

[bartleby]

Funny you say that. I literally ordered one yesterday. I'm hoping that helps. I've noticed my gas mileage has decreased lately too. We'll see.

 

[maximus]

Pretty well known issue on the 2007s. Dad has one with about ~80k and it burns about a quart every 3k miles. Issue was worked out for 2009 model year.

 

[mclasser]

Originally Posted By: thorromig
Have you ever changed your PCV valve? I have an 06 2.4L with 105,341 miles on it as today. Put in a new cabin filter and checked out the odometer when I logged it in my maintnance note book like always with the date. I changed out my PCV with my latest oil change last month. I inherited the car and also added a full can of MOS2 with the oil change and plugs also. No smoke soo far--knockin on wood!! Good luck!!

+1 on the PCV valve.