'98 Toyota Camry Info

[Archie]

Anybody know these cars at all? I found a decent deal on one from a guy at work and might go take a look at it. It's an XLE 4 cylinder with over 100k on the clock... Any common problems? Things to watch out for?

 

Lettuce know.

[Crossle]

Timing belt due at 90K, 105K, or 120K. It varies in the years, don't ask why. They are a non interference motor.

 

Oil leaks at valve cover (nuts loosen) and distributor o-ring.

Front bearing plates

[Mr. Jones]

Despite the obvious maintenance, prob one of the more reliable cars around.

[AWW$HEEET]

dead reliable.

[Dave1647545494]

thats barley broken in with a camry keep the oil changed and put a timing belt in it and your good to go

[Patterson]

Don't the autos have a problem with cracking flex plates? A friend bought two super cheap because of that issue.

[BDHG940]

Art, you missed the deal on Scott's Expedition

[Archie]

Thanks for the info guys. Ended up buying it and already found a few things that needed replaced: plugs/wires (blew a wire on the way home), the power steering pump was almost dry, inspected the timing belt which seemed ok.

 

The only thing left to look at is an exhaust leak somewhere near the catalytic converter... overall a decent car though.

[Tractor]

Nice cars, I had one and did manage to blow up the engine (rod came loose) was at like 240K. I got it real cheap so it wasn't a big deal and I needed a bigger vehicle anyway for work. I'd get another one in a heartbeat if I wanted a car again.

[fRAZER]

Don't the autos have a problem with cracking flex plates? A friend bought two super cheap because of that issue.

 

They do but only if you mess around a lot and shift into L1 or L2. I blew my motor and trans in my 1995 camry doing that crap, also wrapped my 1994 camry around a tree, then drove it for 5 more months untill i sold it for parts.

 

Every camry ive had has an exhaust leak, the first one was because rust finaly cracked the header to exhaust pipe in the front and then the other was near the cat like on yours. It was caused by bottoming out over speed bumps.

 

So if you cant tell the only major problems that will present them selves in these cars are the drivers fault:rolleyes:

[unfunnyryan]

Friend of mine had camrys around those years and they took a beating like no other car would.

[fRAZER]

Friend of mine had camrys around those years and they took a beating like no other car would.

 

I know because the cars are one in the same.... those were my cars lol

[,,,,,,comma,,,,,,]

my dute got one run good

[Tripleskate]

There's a fella who will occassionally run his Camry of that generation at AutoX, it's an auto with boltons, it seems to handle the abuse like a champ.

[verse]

I had one and did manage to blow up the engine (rod came loose)

 

I did notice that the rod bolts are pretty weak when I worked at Toyota. I saw probably 5 or 6 blow 4 cylinders.

[C-Mart]

I have one and literally beat the SHIT out of it. Way worse than anyone should to a car.

 

Runs like a champ. Never had a problem.

[Clifford Automotive]

I beat my 98, best better I ever had. except it wasn't really a better. good cars.

[fRAZER]

I used to shift into L1 and take off in mine until I was in Dayton and I pulled that stunt *BOOM* first gear teeth shot through the top of the tranny leaving a hole the size of my fist and the pistons dry locked in the cylinders. Took it to a shop and they said engine is shot tranny is fine.... what about me having the ability to stick my fingers inside the tranny while assembled is "fine"?