I own a 1991 Toyota Camry (88,000 miles) and I'm getting different answers from friends and family, but I want to know from an expert. It seems that a valve seal or a piston ring is leaking, not sure which. The reason I know this is because I found oil deposits on one of the spark plugs i took out. What are the long-term consequences? I appreciate your responses.
2006-12-20 15:37:50 · 6 answers · asked by DXL 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
First of all, oil on the spark-plug can also mean a cracked head. But you'll know that when you see it to get to the piston rings. Replacing one piston ring means replacing all the piston rings. Otherwise you'll have blowback (pressure getting behind the weakest piston rings). I doubt this is the problem, considering the positive pressure exerted during compression. The cracked head and the leaking seal are the more likely causes, unless the piston ring is leaking seriously, in which case you'll notice a severe loss of power. 88,000 miles tells me you don't have that problem, unless the car was seriously ragged out.
As for consequences, old oil is corrosive and the pressure will cause the leak to get worse and worse over time. You'll start getting damage to other components, and even burn your engine out.
Cost: depends on the mechanic, but you'll be pulling the engine out to work on any of these three problems. This can cost between $500 and $1000, plus parts. Unless of course you have an engine hoist, transmission jack, and an engine stand, and plenty of extra time, plus engine knowlege.
First things first. Have a mechanic check your cylinder compression. He'll tell you what to do after that.
2006-12-20 15:45:39 · answer #1 · answered by Rockstar 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Piston rings keep the oil contained in the engine and prevent it from entering the cylinder where combustion occures. Worn rings will make your vehicle smoke excessively as oil is being allowed to pass them and get burned with the gas. The valve's sealing properly has to do with how well the engine "breathes". The intake valve's help contain the air fuel mixture in the cylinder wall and the exhaust valve's allow the burned fuel's release. Depending on where the oil was exactly on your plug's would be usefull info as it could be that your valve cover gasket is leaking. At just 88,000 miles this is most likely the problem.
2006-12-20 16:20:10 · answer #2 · answered by Ta Dah! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Where was the oil deposit?
Was it on the threads?
Was it wet?
If so, you don't have a ring or seal problem. The problem you have is the valve cover seals around the plug wells have finally failed. VERY common problem for Toyota.
If the deposits were on the electrode and dry, then you MAY have a oil control problem.
If you ignore it, it MAY get worse, but even if you must change the plug every week, it's still cheaper than overhauling the engine.
You could even raise the plug heat range in that one cylinder if necessary.
A car that old isn't ready for the wrecking yard yet. You can buy a lot of plugs for the cost of the overhaul.
Good Luck and Merry Christmas
2006-12-20 15:51:12 · answer #3 · answered by Ironhand 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds more like a valve guide/seal problem. I would not think the rings would be that bad in only 88,000 miles. You can use a non fouler adapter for the plug for now but only if the plug is fouling out. Otherwise just clean it every now and then until you can repair the head or It gets worse. Major damage is not likely, just a worn guide or bad seal.
2006-12-20 15:48:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am guessing that the dealer said you need new valve seals do to the fact you are burning oil. First tell the dealer you want a function 70 done on the car to see if you still have your factory warranty and also to see if the seals fall into the federal emission warranty, by law they have to show you if they are covered or not and show you in print, do not just take their word for it. And if they did a leak down test along with a wet dry test. and the leak down did drop below 30% or the compression is no different then 10 PSI per cylinder then you wont need rings, and even is you did need rings you would need to check the cylinders for scoring or tapper to make sure you would need to have the engine bored
2016-05-23 03:25:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the rings go out = no compression. I had one car I bought with bad rings. Pull started it and smoked out a whole mile. The oil blowby nearly covered the underside of the hood. That's what'll happen if the rings are out.
2006-12-20 15:44:59 · answer #6 · answered by demozast 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋