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1995 Toyota Camry died without warning
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cheryllc72
New User
Mar 3, 2009, 8:23 AM
Post #1 of 6
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1995 Toyota Camry died without warning
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This morning, our 1995 Toyota Camry LE Sedan (automatic, 2 wheel drive, 4 cylinder, 125,000 miles)) died without warning while my husband was on his way home from work. He pulled off the Interstate (slowing down to exit), the oil light came on for a fraction of a second (no other lights came on), then the car just died. Now, when we try to re-start the car, it turns over but will not crank.
A couple of months ago we were having a problem with the car over heating, but the cooling fan was replaced and we've had no further problems with over heating. When the car died this morning, there was no steam or boiling over and the radiator was full of water. I mention this not only for background, but also because he mentioned the heater was blowing out cold air this morning.
The car has been riding a little rough for the last little while, idling bad at stop signs and such, but this is the first time it's ever actually stalled and we've NEVER had any problems starting it.
He did mention that when he opened the hood this morning he noticed a little oil burning from around the oil cap and the valve cover.
I've done some research about this since we've been home and it seems like the most likely cause is the distributor according tro most of the symptoms, but the burning oil and the bad heater is throwing me off.
Any help this this problem would be greatly appreciated.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 3, 2009, 8:57 AM
Post #2 of 6
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Re: 1995 Toyota Camry died without warning
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You said.....
1>>Now, when we try to re-start the car, it turns over but will not crank. <<
2>>heater was blowing out cold air this morning. <<
3>>noticed a little oil burning from around the oil cap and the valve cover. <<
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1- Turns over but will not crank???? Please - what the heck does that mean? Do you mean engine cranks but doesn't start?
2- A common sign of low coolant level, air in system and overheating.
3- Overheat? Better check all fluid levels now. You said coolant was full but must be checked at the radiator not the recovery tank with a problem going on.
******
Sounds like running hot has damaged something electrical but please explain more what's happening. Is it getting spark at all?
T
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cheryllc72
New User
Mar 3, 2009, 9:09 AM
Post #3 of 6
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Re: 1995 Toyota Camry died without warning
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I'm sorry for the confusion...
Yes, the engine cranks but does not start. According to my husband, it is getting a spark, but it will not start.
Also, all fluid levels are fine. Both the radiator and the reservoir tank were full. The temp. was not running hot according to the temperature gauge and the check engine light was not on (it has come on every time the car has over heated in the past). There was no steam coming from anywhere - the only thing that made me mention the past problems with over heating was that the heater was blowing cold air, which would seem to be a sign of over heating.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 3, 2009, 9:33 AM
Post #4 of 6
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Re: 1995 Toyota Camry died without warning
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A quick test for lack of fuel then is using starting fluid. So far this could be a fuel issue. If starter fluid sprayed in throttle body responds and even runs for a second or sputters with just that then we need to chase down "lack of proper fuel issues."
What engine is in this? I believe the 4cyl has a timing belt and we need to know. Check if this engine uses one to be replaced on a schedule and has been done on time. If you don't know just say so.
Air in system can cause the heater not to work as well as overheating because while overheating the coolant is a vapor and doesn't allow heater to tranfer heat of just vapors.
Checking fluids may show contamination of coolant in oil or other findings too.
I very well may not be running hot now or recently but did before and that in it's history could be clues that it was in fact too hot to survive that without some damage just now showing up.
Keep at it,
T
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cheryllc72
New User
Mar 3, 2009, 9:46 AM
Post #5 of 6
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Re: 1995 Toyota Camry died without warning
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It is a 4 cylinder and does have a timing belt. My husband says it hasn't been changed since webcought the car and that it's way past due. The car is being towed in this afternoon so he's going to check the timing belt as well as try starting fluid. The car has over half a tank of gas in it right now.
He seems to think that it's not related to the over heating but I had the same thought as you - that maybe there was some damage done that we weren't aware of until now. He doesn't seem to think it's a damaged head gasket because there is no tell-tale white smoke coming from the exhaust.
Thanks so much for your help. We'll try the starter fluid and the timing belt and see what we find out.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 3, 2009, 10:18 AM
Post #6 of 6
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Re: 1995 Toyota Camry died without warning
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I actually suggest not trying anything just yet except getting help to determine if timing belt broke. Some engines will cause valve to collide with pistons when completely broken known as "interference engines" and even trying to turn it if there's any chance that's the problem would only make things worse!
How much gas in tank isn't the issue unless suspected empty for this problem up front.
YES - I was also worried about head gasket issues and those can fail in several different ways. One is by allowing exhaust into cooling system, defeats heater, cooling will eventually fail to overheat, and may leave the see thru recovery tank showing it's full and it isn't.
If would behoove you to get some help with this. Nobody needs car troubles but some damage could be minimized with care attention now. In the future pay strict attention to timing belts. Write it down on a calendar or with marker under the hood - date and mileage when done. It's that important sorry to say.
Hope all works out ok with this,
T
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