Oil Leak in '99 Camry

[Mgr1397]

hey guys I drive a 99 toyota camry and i've noticed on my driveway a lot of small oil spots and now I need to take it in to see what the problem is.

Does anyone know a trusted toyota mechanic in mississauga that isn't a complete rip off and knows what he's doing?

Thanks

[Pete_Coach]

First thing you should do is to get a can of engine wash spray and clean the engine. Then take it to a car wash that has underbody spray and clean the bottom of the engine. Once it is dry, then take some cardboard and lay it underneath the car and let whatever is leaking drip on it (this can be tricky but the cardboard has to be in the same place under your car all the time). The clean engine should make seeing a leak easier and the cardboard should help you locate the drip.
It may be an easy fix for you.

[BDSL]

And if you are not mechanical inclined, there is http://www.aussieauto.ca/ in Mississauga.
I haven't been there but he is highly recommended in the Toyota/Lexus community.

[poedua]

hey guys I drive a 99 toyota camry and i've noticed on my driveway a lot of small oil spots and now I need to take it in to see what the problem is.

Does anyone know a trusted toyota mechanic in mississauga that isn't a complete rip off and knows what he's doing?

Thanks

Robinson Automotive is an honest ( i.e APA approved ) and very skilled shop in Mississauga ( Dixie & Britannia just north of the 401 ). The owner is a former Toyota factory trained tech as well. They service a lot of Lexus / Toyota vehicles.

Highly Recommended ! Ask for Mike.

http://www.robinsonautomotive.com/

[DrXenon]

How much longer are you going to keep the car? You can live with a small oil leak for a long time as long as you monitor the oil level with the dipstick.

My Camry had a small leak in an oil seal behind the timing belt. The rubber was heated so much from the engine all the time that it dried out and failed. The oil wasn't actually getting on the belt, so I left it alone until I changed it out at the same time as the timing belt.

[forthewinwin]

We've gotten this with every old Toyota we've owned.. Lol

[Mgr1397]

Honestly I'm planning on keeping this car until i graduate (2 more years at least)... I've had no problems at all with this car besides small maintenance and stuff and its very good on gas...

I'll call up the two places listed above and decide from there

Thanks guys :)

[BDSL]

We've gotten this with every old Toyota we've owned.. Lol

But all old vehicles will have this problem eventually....not just Toyota.
Rubber seals / gaskets will eventually get worn down or dried up.

[packardbell]

Dude, they might be honest but they sure rip you off when it comes to service 200 an hour , no thanks

you can top it off with 200 bucks of oil over a 2 year span easily.

if you are such a cheap ***** just buy those oil leak sealers in a can from Cacatire. It may not fix the problem 100% but can reduce the amount of polluting oil you are passing into the ground.

[packardbell]

What are you smoking ? You find its okay to charge just for labour 200 an hour ?
well no one has a gun to your head, the hourly rates are always posted out in the open.
you can go to cacatire where they charge about 90 an hour then.
the choice is yours.

[Marx0r]

$200/h is crazy unless ultra high-end shop for exotics.

[packardbell]

$200/h is crazy unless ultra high-end shop for exotics.

jags and land rover are not exotics but that is the going rate per hour.

[sickcars]

Is that seriously what Robinson Automotive charges per hour? $200 or you guys just talking smack? The dealer would charge less.

[george__]

This might get costly... I was charged about $70/hour and had to go in twice for a 1997?? Camry XLE v6 model. First was for a MAJOR oil leak and then later on the power steering fluid started to leak. The second time around, I ended up having to take it to two locations because cleaning the engine (to find all the possible leaks) was cheaper somewhere else. Then I had to go back to the mechanic to fix all the leaks they could find. The total cost to fix the car both times exceeded $400+ for parts, labour and my time (driving back and fourth, having someone to pick you up from mechanic etc). Now the transmission is about to go.

Depending on the mileage of the car, it might just be easier to say good bye and sell it... The Camry I'm talking about has close to 370k now.

[DJ_Peanuts22]

Not exactly in Mississauga but if you want a second opinion from a respected Toyota/Lexus independent mechanic, check out Tlex @ tlex.ca

Located in Markham on Woodbine just north of Steeles, south of the 407.

[packardbell]

Dude ... I saw my friend bill it was 1100 and changes for front brakes and a undercoating on a 2009 Elantra. It took just a little over 3 hours so he said . The Labour was just over 600 ...Thats exactly like a dealer would charge ... If you don't believe me go there any get some work done on your car , afterwards you will believe it ... @ Packardbell keep your stupid opinions to yourself ...

you might as well take the public transport bro. if you cannot afford to drive then take the BMW. :)

[The Autoexpert]

Hi TerryFox,

This post was brought to my attention by one of my customers.

I truly wish I could charge $200.00 and hour as stated, but the market will not bear it.

I have been in business for 24 years because my prices are fair and my service is well above the industry standard.

I find it interesting that it is your friend’s invoice that is being talked about, not your own. Not only are you not the customer, you aren’t even one of my customers.

I should remind you that the story has changed from it being a lady according to your other username “wtfdude”, now it’s a guy. You were also going to post the bill and you did not.

I have no idea why you would post disparaging comments about my company when you have not done business with us. Do you not take into consideration that there are six families supported by this business. What have these families ever done to you?

During the investigation of your username we came across many interesting posts on various forums. I would encourage others to do a little search and understand the source of this “information”. One must always consider the source.

Kirk Robinson,
President Robinson Automotive.com

[Pete_Coach]

Hi TerryFox,

This post was brought to my attention by one of my customers.

I truly wish I could charge $200.00 and hour as stated, but the market will not bear it.

I have been in business for 24 years because my prices are fair and my service is well above the industry standard.

I find it interesting that it is your friend’s invoice that is being talked about, not your own. Not only are you not the customer, you aren’t even one of my customers.

I should remind you that the story has changed from it being a lady according to your other username “wtfdude”, now it’s a guy. You were also going to post the bill and you did not.

I have no idea why you would post disparaging comments about my company when you have not done business with us. Do you not take into consideration that there are six families supported by this business. What have these families ever done to you?

During the investigation of your username we came across many interesting posts on various forums. I would encourage others to do a little search and understand the source of this “information”. One must always consider the source.

Kirk Robinson,
President Robinson Automotive.com
Bravo Kirk.
There are a lot of people who 'think" they know but, as you so aptly put it "One must always consider the source".
Kudos to you for coming here to set the record straight. I hope this earns you many new customers.

[DJ_Peanuts22]

Glad to see the owner posted to clear things up. Good show.

[poedua]

Bravo Kirk.

There are a lot of people who 'think" they know but, as you so aptly put it "One must always consider the source".


Kudos to you for coming here to set the record straight. I hope this earns you many new customers.

+1

:)

[packardbell]

shilling :)

[densil_lopez]

Hi
I truly wish I could charge $200.00 and hour as stated, but the market will not bear it.

I have been in business for 24 years because my prices are fair and my service is well above the industry standard.



Kirk Robinson,
President Robinson Automotive.com

What is rate per hour u r charging at the moment???

[001Stunna]

What is rate per hour u r charging at the moment???

LMFAO, are you serious???
better get that KY ready cause you're going to need it...and they will charge you for it too.

---
fawk why was this thread on the top of automotive section. my bad on bumping a 6months old crap.

[DJ_Peanuts22]

My apologies to Mgr1397.

[george__]

@OP

I had a 1998 Toyota Camry fixed up (it had 4 owners :|)

I only fixed up the biggest leaks but still cost a fortune.

on the other hand, they are really reliable cars... It has 350k (when I got it) and now it has close to 370k. I think transmission is original too.

Only issues is the insurance might cost a fortune (depending on the trim) and when I drive it, my gas mileage SUCKS

[CoinSaver]

I had a '97 Camry. Didn't have oil leaks, but had leaks from the steering column. Went to get it checked, got a quote of $1500. Took it to a friend's brother at his shop, and was recommended to try Lucas (I think). Some kind of additive that sealed it. Used it twice and didn't have any issues for the next 6 years.

They were known to "sweat" some oil/fluid, but otherwise a fantastically reliable car.

[Oldmaster]

I agree with you, I think I have seen this on almost every older Camry.