How much will it take to fix my car?

Question

My car has been leaking oil like crazy and there are large oil marks on the driveway. The oil light is of course on and the car temp gauge on the dash points to hot , also the steering is acting strangely and there is a smell of what reminds me of de icing fluid kind of almost sweet smelling, the steering sounds as if it is whining. Plus a friend told me that the back brakes are on their last legs. My car is older, a 1994 Toyota 4 cylinder Camry with a beautiful body and interior. it is an automatic transmission as well. I'm wondering if there is anyone that can give a sort of ball park idea on how much it would cost to fix all of these problems with the car. I can't buy a new car but I want to fix this one and run it till it dies a natural death someday. It has always driven beautifully, it is ingreat interior and exterior shape and has NEVER given me any major problems till now. From the high end to the low end , how much would fixing cost?

Answer 1

It sounds pretty bad...

Making payments on a newer car might actually be easier than footing the repair bill. It's just not smart to spend a great deal of money repairing an economy car that old either.

When you get into things like engines that leak oil and run hot... Mechanics will often start replacing seals, gaskets and things (not cheap)... only to find out later there's a compression leak that's forcing oil out from everywhere and the motor needs to be rebuilt.

On a car that age... Just about every part should be replaced when servicing the brakes. You're probably looking at $500.00 right there unless you do it yourself or have a friend take a crack at it.

I know it's not what you want to hear... But, putting money into a 14-year old economy car will hurt you more in the long run if you don't listen. I'm really just trying to help. You'll be buying that newer car before or after sinking a bunch of money into your current one in an attempt to extend it's life just a little bit. Do it BEFORE.

Answer 2

You have many problems to resolve. First I would check the belts on the front of the engine. After that I would check the radiator or water pump for leaks. Then, check the power steering pump reservoir and see if it is on the mark on the stick. The sweet smelling fluid is coolant.
Toyota's are good cars but when they start leaking oil it is a problem. The upper engine oil seals probably need replacing along with the timing belt. The rear main seal is also leaking.
I think you could be looking at $500-1000.
Never drive a car when the oil light is on. Severe engine failure could result.

Answer 3

To be honest, "pay me now or pay me later" fits you because you've let required maintenance on your vehicle wait until now it's going to cost you not only for the maintenance, but also for any mechanical damages that have been done to the engine and transmission. As a "lemon maker", you turned your car into a lemon that an unsuspecting used car buyer would buy and end up paying for all the maintenance and repairs you never did (he's called a "lemon eater"). To tell you the truth, I'd continue to put only the minimum amount of money into the car now to keep it running, and use the money you save to buy a newer car that a "lemon maker" like you didn't own.

Answer 4

What you may desire to ask your self is; what's this going to cost you interior the top? you're staring at a $2400 fix for a first rate automobile with purely 80,000 and relativly greater moderen form. after it relatively is finished it is going to in all possibility be high quality and pushed effortlessly for a on an analogous time as except you're looking greater to be incorrect. whether you offered it as is, you will possibly get at maximum $2000 for the automobile. so in case you're taking the 2400 and 2000 you have 4400 to spend on a sparkling used automobile. A $4400 automobile isn't the excellent interior the international. you're wanting to purchase a older form, ninety 8 or older, with greater mileage. as that stands, you're staring at issues even faster returned including your new used automobile, and hence going to could desire to spend greater money fixing that, given which you will on no account purchase a used automobile while not having to repair something. So, i might say fix the automobile on your 2400, and be completed with money. it is the excellent ingredient, not additional money. so, depending on what your month-to-month charge replaced into, you ought to nonetheless be saving greater money via repairing it. ask your self how a lot have you ever stored through fact the money have been finished, does it outweigh what the upkeep would be? basically what i think of could desire to be completed.

Answer 5

the car is going on 14 years depending on the amount of MAINTENCE sounds like this car has not seen the inside of a Toyota Garage in a long time. My best suggestion is get it washed up and vacuum the carpets and trade it in. Besides you would look good in a new Toyota Avalon or Camry. And it doesnot have to be a Toyota product. But the new car maintan it properly please.

Answer 6

I had a 1990 Camry with an inexplicable overheating issue. I eventually had to replace the engine, which I did with one of those low-mileage engines from Japan. Despite receiving every assurance from the seller that it would fit, it was just enough larger that the power steering pump didn't fit properly. And the engine still overheated. So whatever you do, try to avoid those overseas engines.

Answer 7

sounds like it would cost more to fix it than to buy something else that's in good condition, you'd have to replace all your gaskets for one, but replacing them won't do much if it's leaking as bad as you say, you might have to machine your heads. and the heating up, well, getting the oil sealed might help, but you might be looking at something like radiator problems. the smell might be oil leaking into your cylinder heads, which, if that's the case, you might as well invest in a new engine or possibly car.

Answer 8

If you do it yourself: Oil leak $100.00 for seals and gasket. Sweet smell radiator leak $ ? Rear Brakes $ 30.00 Steering and steering conditioner $ 10.00

Answer 9

go to a japanese import wreckers. they import engines from japan that has only done 50000k. as for a quote to change the engine over, including all work.

then go to your mechanic and get a quote to fix it

Answer 10

A box of matches and a litre of petrol should do the trick....cheers.