The radiator was empty, and here were traces of antifreeze on the inspection plug on the timing over. As I explained upon our intial meeting, this indicated that there was a definite loss of antifreeze, with a definite possibility of water pump failure and corresponding timing belt failure. However, when I did the initial tear-down of the timing area, I found a rather surprising scenario. The timing belt was intact. There were none of he usual oil leaks from the cam/crank seals. The belt was in excellent shape. The water pump had suffered a catastrophic bearing failure. In fact, I found pieces of metal in the timing area, as well as a few of the ball bearings from the water pump shaft bearing. The timing area also had traces of antifreeze (oem antifreeze) from where the water pump had been leaking prior to the failure. As per our discussion, I proceeded to tear the engine down further to inspect for other possible damage. At this time, we were simply expecting to find a warped/possibly cracked cylinder head. Upon removing the necessary components required to remove the head, and removing the head itself, I inspected the block, cylinders, and pistons. The inspection revealed that the pistons had suffered severe damage. There is over thirty thousandths of clearance between the top edge of the piston and the cylinder wall. The top piston ring is clearly visible. Therefore, I must declare the engine a loss. In fact, I have made the observation that toyota vehicles using the oem antifreeze usually had far fewer cooling system problems of any kind. In their vehicles. I have two toyota pickups. One has a reman engine. It has oem antifreeze and an oem oil filter. To make a long story short, I feel in my opinion, and my experience, that this problem is a manufacturer defect. What the manufacturer can and will do for you I do not know.
1999 Toyota Camry engine complaints
Page 3 of 5: complaints 41 to 70 of 115, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While driving a loud bang noise was heard and a clanging sound was made from the car. Consumer noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood and immediately pulled over to the side of the road. Vec. Was towed to dealership for inspection on 4/15/04. Consumer was 400 miles over ford warranty. Warranty company has an adjuster come out and look at the vec. 6 or 7 times. Ford knew in the middle of may that the vec. Was over mileage and they continued to lead the consumer and the dealership that they would fix it. Ford dealership and the ford warranty company adjuster both confirmed that the engine failed. 2 bolts that held the piston in place busted and threw a rod through the side of the engine. The same dealership had another camry with 61,000 miles come in while this car was there and had done the exact same thing had happened with it. The vec. Needs a new engine and not toyota nor ford will help us. I have done several searches over this vec. And have found that there has been over 5,000 camrys that have done this exact same thing....1999. They have all been around the same mileage also.
While driving a loud banking noise was heard from the front. Consumer noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood. Then, vehicle stalled. Consumer restarted vehicle, and pulled over. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the engine needed replacement due to a blown gasket.
While driving on the road and heard loud clanging sound and then saw lots of smoke. Service engine light came on and I pulled over. I turned the car off and opened the hood. There was a hole in the side of the engine and oil was all over. Car had 66,000 miles on it and was 400 miles over the extended warranty. Took to toyota dealer and they determined that there was no sludge or gel in the engine. Car was well maintained and there was nothing I could have done to cause this. Warranty company is fighting us on fixing the vec. And toyota will not do anything either. This happened on april 15, 2004 and it is now july 7, 2004. Toyota dealership still has my car.
While pulling inside of a parking space the vehicle stalled. The driver tried to restart the vehicle but was only able to start the vehicle by applying the accelerated and brake. Then the vehicle started. The driver was able to drive it home. The driver contacted the dealer for an appointment. Please provide any additional information.
As I was driving to work, at 7:30 am on thursday april 22, 2004, I noticed a clicking sound coming from under my auto's hood. The auto was a 1999 toyota camry, with about 90,100 miles on it. The clicking noise reminded me of a spinning roulette wheel. After a few minutes, the noise increased in intensity. At that point, I decided that I needed to go to a repair facility to have it examined. As I was doing that, there was a loud, explosion-like noise and the engine started smoking very heavily. I pulled off the road, at which point, I gathered up some important items from my car, and exited the vehicle. By this time, there were flames coming out from under the hood. I called 911 and advised the dispatcher of my circumstances and location. The connecticut state police arrived within three minutes of my call. They tried to put out the fire with an extinguisher, but were unable to do so. By the time the fire department arrived, 10 minutes later, the engine compartment was completely engulfed in flames and smoke. They were able to quickly extinguish the fire, but by that time, the car was ruined. A few minutes later, a tow truk removed the vehicle to a nearby garage. I called my insurance company and filed a claim. They have since declared the vehicle a total loss and are in the process of remitting my settlement.
1999 toyota camry 140,000 miles routine oil changes threw a rod for no apparent reason. Dealer charged $127.00 to pull the valve cover. Dealer told me they have no idea why the engine failed but it was not oil gelling. They denied my oil gelling claim even though I showed receipts for the oil changes.
Exhaust fumes enter the passenger cabin when driving uphill at 30 to 40 MPH. Driver experiences dizziness, headaches and shortness of breath. Dealer has not solved the problem. *ak consumer said that it was a common problem for toyota camry vehicles. Dealer said that it's the type of fuel used on the vehicle. However, dealership refused to inspect the vehicle. Also, consumer was told that if the check engine light didn't came on, dealership won't be able to locate problem.
Starting in dec. '03, I heard fluid circulating throughout the engine in my "99 toy. Camry (v6), esp. From a stop. The toy. Dealer told me my coolant level was low, but found no leaks, and added more coolant. Several weeks later, the sound came back and became worse. The car began to idle rough and the temperature gauge ran high. I had the car towed to another toy. Dealer, who informed me that I had a blown head gasket, which in turn caused severe engine damage. I had to have a new short block installed, along with a new oil pump and water pump.
Oil sludge problem. Engine makes noise
My engine seized. I've received 2 letters from toyota dated 2/2002 and 6/2002 regarding oil gel. Car was towed to dealership- dealership had car "inspected by a no name toyota district rep" dealership said not oil gel rep agrees contacted corporate they agreed with dealership. Sight unseen by customer. Napervile toyota 1st goodwill repair included 50% of parts and service. After persuing they agreed to labor cost. Toyota mass produced an engine with small valve and learned it was a problem. Corrected it and thousand of consumers are being accuse of low lubricant and not manitenance there automobile correctly .
8/12/03 heard unusual noise shortly after getting on a highway. Pulled the car to the side and stopped. Found oil all over the place, inside the engine and outside on the ground. A toyota dealer examined the car and said that the "#1 connecting rod" was broken and that it is not customer's fault. We bought toyota camry (4 cylinders) in 1999. We have been following the recommended maintenance schedule at the same toyota dealer. Even 3 weeks before the engine broke down, we had a major maintenance following the advice of the toyota dealer for preventing damage to the engine. As the mileage is over the warrante amount, toyota doesn't pay for the required engine replacement and we hope they do. It's not fair to let us pay as we haven't done anything wrong.
Blue exhaust smoke and odd engine noice during ignition. I took the car in to cobb county toyota in kennesaw, ga. I took all of my maintenance records and some articles I'd printed out regarding oil gelling, in case they gave me any hassle. I told them I didn't want them to do a flush - he said that toyota wouldn't allow them to do that anyhow, and that they would be taking it apart. He wouldn't even speculate whether or not it was gelling until they took it apart. As such, they wouldn't agree to pay for a rental car until they they confirmed it was gelling. They did take it apart and found that the gelling was limited to the head. Without asking for maintenance records (even though I'd had most of my oil changes done by 3rd parties), and completely free of cost to me, they cleaned the head, and replaced the valve stem seals, oil pump, pick-up screen, pvc valve, and valve cover. Runs smooth as the day I bought it now (though I did replace the timing belt as well, which I'm sure contributed slightly to the improvement). No rental car was necessary as they had it back to me by the end of the day (I'd taken it in the previous evening). Incidentally, I took it in 4 years to the day since I took delivery of it.
Initial symtoms: engine lights came on; car ran very rough, as if misfiring; white smoke billowed; engine was completely void of oil; response: mechanic flushed oil through engine; refilled engine with 4 quarts oil; changed front 3 sparkplugs; 1 week later same symtoms above returned; engine was completely void of oil again;
April 30, 2003 on sunday, april 27, 2003 - my 1999 toyota 2.2l 4cyl camry le VIN number [xxx] ceased to operate at jfk international airport. The engine with a very loud noise (such has gears under pressure that just gave way) stopped abruptly while smoke came out and the oil spilled all over the place. After having the car towed back to rockland toyota the next day I later was informed that there was a significant sized hole on the engine and was shown broken the pieces. The car was always serviced at rockland toyota since its purchase from toyota north (all based in new york). My camry has had symptoms relating to oil sludge in the engine. Persistent drifting/pulling to the left or the right, uneven wear of tires with need for early replacement, premature brake component wear, including rear brake drums, and vibrations, esp. At speeds above 50 MPH since its purchase in 1999. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Engine oil sludge buildup at 107000 miles. Other manufacturers don't have this problem. Toyota wants maintenance receipts/oil purchase receipts, proof of ownership. Toyota wants to reimburse, if there is an oil gelling related problem. How many do-it-yourselfers keep oil receipts? With today's oils, sludge should not be a problem.
Sludge
Oil gel in engine and engine light constantly on. I have all oil changes made on time. Toyota do not want to own up to problem with oil gel. I can be reached on (202)708-0614 x2454. I will send entire letter in mail to you immediately for your review. Thanks. Sandra edwards
While vehicle was moving at a speed of 60 MPH and engine inadvertently locked up.
While at a stop consumer heard a loud knocking noise coming from the engine. Consumer pulled over to check the problem, and saw that the engine malfunctioned. Consumer had the vehicle towed to dealership, but dealership did not resolve the problem.
While traveling on 287 north around edison, nj, my 1999 toyota camry caught on fire without any warning. The fire started from underneath the vehicle. At the time the firefighters responded, 60 percent of the vehicle has been engulfed on fire.
While driving approximately 25 MPH heard loud noise coming from the engine. This forced driver to pull of the road. Then, called triple aaa, and towed vehicle to the dealer. Technician stated the need to replace the engine. Consumer had navigated in different websites and found 5000 identical problems.
Failure of valve seals and engine varnish at only 62,000 miles. Vehicle was properly maintained oil changes within mfg. Specs. This engine runs too hot! Only 2000 miles out of warranty toyota refused help, overcharged for repair, and charged for an oil change that was never done!!!!
While driving at approximately 65 MPH going uphill on expressway, we heard a loud noise from the engine compartment, followed immediately by smoke and flame. By the time we go to the shoulder of the road, we had no brakes, no steering, nothing was working. Car was totally covered in smoke and flames were intense. Another vehicle stopped within seconds of our pulling over with a medium sized fire extinguisher. He proceeded to lay on his back and totally empty the extinguisher from under the car, which made no difference. By the time the fire trucks arrived (within 10 minutes), the entire engine compartment was totally burned. I notice that you have closed out pe02-079, but believe it to be related. The car is under investigation by state farm insurance. The car had a major service at 67,000 miles, including a timing belt replacement on july 24th, 2003. The car had approximately 70,000 miles at the time of the incident.
While driving at highway speeds, a clicking noise was heard and then smoke started to come from under the hood. The vehicle lost power. The consumer viewed flames under the hood. *ak *scc
Vehicle's engine failed and caught on fire.*mr the consumer was traveling on the highway when the engine caught fire. Dealership indicated the consumer was the one responsible for the fire. They stated the cause was: lack of oil, which caused the bearings to wear out. Throw rod, #3 bearing rod spun and caused it to break the rod. It went through the block and allowed oil to cover the engine compartment and ignite, starting a fire and melting some of the compartments. *ph
Consumer states that while she was driving heard a popping sound, then saw white smoke, soon after that she saw black smoke.she got out of car, and saw sparks coming from under the vehicle, then fire started coming from the engine (front of the auto) part. The fire department was called, and when the fire was put out, the fireman said that it might have been a mixture of oil getting on the hot motor which started the fire.
Several times oil would backup into the engine or excessive oil would be used. When the consumer pulled into a gas station the vehicle caught fire and exploded. The cause of the failure was questionable and the dealership needed to replace the engine.
The engine light illuminated on the dashboard. The dealer replaced the sensor, however the problem recurred.
The engine stalled.
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