psychoacid

thanks. I will bring it to 1 or 2 mechs to inspect.

Say if it doesnt affect timing belt. Will it be still costly to fix/replace the gasket? Ta

Hi, I have read the "Known faults of 1MZFE engine" and "diagnose the oil leak". I found engine oil leak on my garage floor so I went for a car check and the mech (not my usual workshop but is near my home) told me a faulty head gasket causing a massive oil leak. I told him only 1-2 drops every few days and he said that is considered bad enough. If you read my previous post, I drove a 98 V6 Conquest (just bought). Timing belt changed by previous owner at 110,000kms. Currently at 185,000kms. Because of the oil leaks, mech said the oil should have already gone through into the timing belt and it needs to be replaced. He ask if I want to get it repair for around $800-900. My eyes popped wide and jaw dropped!! :( I told him I will think about it. He said the belt might seize anytime. Anyway, as I am going to have a road trip maybe close to 10,000kms in 2 months time, I will go and get this sorted out at my usual mech (quite far from home) soon. Will ask him if it affected the timing belt. Ok, lets say it is only just to replace the faulty gasket which causes the leak, how much roughly would I be looking at? I am asking because I dont know what is the market rate. Also, how long will this replacement take? Thanks

assumming 98 vienta and camry the same...replacing the headunit should be easy enough. download or note down the wiring/ cable diagram (colour coded). here what I did...pardon as im not good writing instruction. - take out the ash stray compartment - pull open the surrounding plastic panel, easier when the ash stray out. you need a bit of force to take them off. - disconnect the cables to the cig lighter - unscrew the nuts (cant remember how many but basically common sense when you see the nuts) and remove the headunit. - you may buy the headunit adapter but i cut the cable. if you cutting, do not cut all together, one by one to avoid short circuit. - i reconnect the colour coded wire to the new HU (wiring guide supplied in manual) with the wire connector (). - plug in the antenna cable - test the hu - wrap the wire connector with the electrical tape - put everything back and enjoy dunno about sub or amp. maybe others can help. note: if you have auto retract up down antenna, i dont know how you connect it. I dont have it connected and my antenna already broken. But my radio still crisp clear. :P ***Do at your own risk.

Wow...thanks Ozzcaddy!! This is good advice!!

Yeah. But after taking back the car, the steering still looking slightly right when the car going straight. I will have to bring it back to Bob Jane and tell them about it. They mentioned to me that the bolt on the rear seized but I thought the alignment should be the front and not the rear wheel. Does the rear wheel affect alignment too?

Good idea. I noticed when I start the car during cold, the brake doesnt work well. But once warmed up, it works very well. Does anyone experience that before? Sigh...my audio head unit suddenly no sound just now after taking a corner. Have to recheck the wiring again. :(

Hello everyone, I bought a used 1998 Camry Conquest V6 Auto 2 weeks ago which I had issues with headlight on my last post. The headlight issues had been rectified. I am planning to take this car for a long road trip of 6000-7000ks in 2 months time and it will be doing on road only. The car timing belt has been replaced at 110,000ks (it has 186,000ks now). Oil changed late Feb 2012 but rarely driven. Checked the oil and it still golden in colour. I had replaced all 4 tires to brand new Pirelli P1s few days ago. Any advice if this car suitable for this long road trip? - I will get a third party insurance + premium membership NRMA assist - Will get an engine oil changed before trip. check every fluids and waters. Anything else I should be aware of in preparing for this long trip? How reliable the Camry will be for this occasion? Any suggestion would be much appreciated. Btw, I've tried 10,000ks road trip on my old 98 Nissan Pulsar SSS and it goes very well. Did once oil service halfway, 2 little crack on windscreen caused by stones but DIY repaired (using DIY kit from supercheap), 2 burned H4 bulb. Personally I prefer Camry since its more comfortable than Pulsar. Thanks

Just an update. The problem has been rectified by auto electrician. Not very sure the reason for it but he suspected the previous owner who use 130w/90w bulb might have melted the relay too. He scraped bit of melted plastic of the relay contact point and the lightings came back to normal. Thanks

Ok. So yesterday I fiddled the issue. I checked the low beam bulb and it was rated at 130w/90w. I was like WTF?? It melted a little of the socket connection. So I followed the Camry Manual book and changed it to 60/55w bulb on both. Voila, the high beam was gone and the low beam back to normal with good brightness. Even the blue indicator gone now. Now the NEW PROBLEM is there are no high beam at all. I pull or push the switch but no high beam. I took out the high beam bulb inspect and it wasnt burned. Check the fuse and it was ok. Well, at least I was able to drive out at night with a working headlight now. I want to try to fix it before getting it to car electrician. Anyone any advice or suggestion before I turn to car electrician? Thanks

Hi everyone, I just bought a 1998 Camry v6. I made a mistake for not checking the headlights and when I collect the car yesterday night, I noticed something wrong with the headlight. When I turn on the headlight, the high beam is ALWAYS ON. The blue indicator is always on in the dash. No matter how I play with the switch, it was always on high beam. I really have no idea with the electrical of the car. I did a search and it said to check on the - bulb, socket, relay and lastly faulty switch. I can try inspecting the bulb, socket and relay but I dont dare to touch the switch by dismantling the steering. Does anyone encounter this issue before and how to get it fix? I was thinking to bring to Toyota to had it look at but afraid the charges might not worth it. Please advise. Thanks Psycho

Hi, Just bought an old 1998 Camry V6. Hope to learn more about the car here. psycho