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- Toyota Camry 6th gen How to Repair Head Bolt Thread
Step by step instructions for do-it-yourself repairs.
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BLOWN HEAD GASKET
Junior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 13
Doesn't affect 5S-FE; they have a different issue
Bad news: Your engine has a different known problem that could also gel your oil. The 1996-2001 5S-FE (and 6-cylinder engines) had a design defect where the PCV would not vent the crankcase properly, trapping blow-by gases, which then build up in the oil and eventually cause it to gel and ruin the engine.
Toyota was sued over this in a class-action lawsuit, which they eventually settled in 2007, with a "Special Policy Adjustment" to extend the warranty on these engines to cover their replacement if they gelled up.
I would have your mechanic check/replace your PCV according to Toyota's instructions regarding fixing this flaw...
Now, if we can only get a lawsuit going/settled for THIS problem!
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 15,179
From: PTW
The 5S-FE is a great engine and did not have the block thread problem. Normally this engine does not have a sludge issue. If concerned remove the valve cover and look for sludge build up.
The engine typically does not have head gasket failure unless it is overheated (run out of coolant) or abused.
The valve stem seals can start to leak with age, the result is a cloud of white smoke at cold startup.
Suggest you monitor the coolant overflow reservoir for coolant loss. If the coolant level stays the same over time might look into the valve stem seals.
The issue on the newer engine is the block is aluminum, Toyota failed to provide enough tread to prevent failure over time.
The engine typically does not have head gasket failure unless it is overheated (run out of coolant) or abused.
The valve stem seals can start to leak with age, the result is a cloud of white smoke at cold startup.
Suggest you monitor the coolant overflow reservoir for coolant loss. If the coolant level stays the same over time might look into the valve stem seals.
The issue on the newer engine is the block is aluminum, Toyota failed to provide enough tread to prevent failure over time.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3
Yes the Time-Sert kit for the toyota does look good.
http://www.timesert.com/html/toyota.html read more here.
It can be used for anything M11x1.5 like the Toyota, honda/ acura / GM / ect..
http://www.timesert.com/html/toyota.html read more here.
It can be used for anything M11x1.5 like the Toyota, honda/ acura / GM / ect..
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1
2002 Camry blown head gasket - apparently a prevalent problem?
My 2002 Camry has this problem. Toyota should fix it - it's a defect.
I am a service center owner and technician of over 40 years in SC. Recently, a 2003 Camry LE w/ 70,000 miles came into my shop with a coolant leak. I consulted this forum and others to find proof of the same instance in the Toyota Camry. I write this in response to some posts I read on this site. This is to be informative for those in similar situations. To do the exam, we pressurized the cooling system and put the car up on the lift. We immediately noticed coolant leaking from underneath the plastic INT intake Manifold in the rear of the engine. I also noticed a Large piece of foam rubber between the Intake Manifold and the Engine Block and Head. This was blocking our view of the leak. We could only see that the leak was behind the foam piece. The only option to discover the source of this leak was to remove the plastic intake manifold, which I did. After this was removed, it became obvious that coolant had been leaking a minor amount for quite some time due to build up between the cylinder head and block. The only option left is to remove the head, which requires an exstensive disassembly (R and R cylinder head). After Loosening the bolts in sequence, I notice the head bolts in the back of the engine are loose. From my experience in the field, I can confidently conclude that this only means one of two things: The bolts were left loose at the factory, or the Bolts are stripped. ( I commonly have seen stripped bolts in the Aluminum Cadillac North Star Block discovered through leaking coolant.)Next, I removed the head and sure enough, one bolt came out with aluminum in the thread...thus indicating a stripped bolt.MY THEORY: The placement of the (insulation) foam rubber piece between the Intake Manifold and the engine block created an uneven dispersion of heat, creating "metal fatigue" in the aluminum block allowing the headbolt to strip.If Toyota had out an Aluminum Manifold instead of Plastic, there would have been no need to insulate (w/ foam piece), thus eliminating the probem.The only solution to this problem is to unforunately replace the engine. The cost to repair it otherwise would be substantial. This is an engine defect and we WILL be seeing more of this.[/align]
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2
2003 Toyota Camry warped block
In May of 2009, I noticed I had a coolant leak coming from the back right corner of the motor. I was soon to realize that I had the exact same problem as mentioned above, stripped head bolts. At only 130,000km I paid $1500 to have a machine shop 'fix' the problem, this came with a 1 year, 20,000km warranty.
Just over a year later, July of 2010, I noticed I had a bad oil leak coming from my motor. 145,000 km's on the Camry now. I took it back to the same machine shop that I had it 'fixed' before, and they told me that they have to rebuild the motor, the motor block is warped now.
I'm picking up my car tomorrow from the machine shop, $2700 later.
We cannot let Toyota get away with this, how can we get retribution?
Just over a year later, July of 2010, I noticed I had a bad oil leak coming from my motor. 145,000 km's on the Camry now. I took it back to the same machine shop that I had it 'fixed' before, and they told me that they have to rebuild the motor, the motor block is warped now.
I'm picking up my car tomorrow from the machine shop, $2700 later.
We cannot let Toyota get away with this, how can we get retribution?
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 7
See website
The kit shown is the repair kit for the Cadillac Northstar which uses the same M11X1.5 head bolt thread as the Toyota 2.4L 2AZ-FE. The kit for the Toyota 2.4L 2AZFE is basically the same, but comes with 11 inserts rather then the 21 shown in the picture. You will find there is a huge advantage to using the NS300L™ kit over other repair methods on the market. Most other repairs on the market use the same fine thread as the head bolt....the same fine thread that failed in the first place.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1
Head Gasket/Loose Engine Bolts
We are currently going through this problem with our 2004 Camry, which has only 63,000 miles on it. When the dealer was ready to do the repair, they said that 3 loose engine bolts caused the gasket to leak, which corroded three threads in the block. The service people said they had never seen a problem like this before. Anyway, to make a long story short, I called Toyota out in Torrance, CA. They assigned a case number and have sent it on to the regional office. In the meantime, the dealership's Relationship Manager called me and said that everyone in the service area agreed that we shouldn't have to foot the entire bill for this mess. They gave us a free loaner last week, which we'll continue to use until the Camry is fixed. At least for now, there may be some hope on the horizon. Like others have said, I think you need to get the regional office involved...some dealers may be better than others regarding complaints, but it's worth a try.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 15,179
From: PTW
Thanks for your post on successfully getting Toyota to fix the problem. Good suggestion to kick the problem up the chain. Given the number of these cases Toyota may now be more sensitive to helping owners.
I would question the dealer not being aware of the problem, Toyota Corp sent bulletins to dealers about this issue.
This thread has had over 20000 readers, that is a LOT. At the very least this indicates there are more then just a few people interested in this subject.
I would question the dealer not being aware of the problem, Toyota Corp sent bulletins to dealers about this issue.
This thread has had over 20000 readers, that is a LOT. At the very least this indicates there are more then just a few people interested in this subject.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1
Stripped head bolts camry
My 2003 Camry was no longer heating the inside of the car even with the heat on ‘high.’ Then I realized the thermostat was in the 'red.' I had antifreeze added and it worked fine for 24 hours. Then, it happened again. Since I was driving, I turned the air conditioner on and the thermostat went down to 'normal' range. I took it back to the mechanic, who added more antifreeze. It worked fine until the next morning. Then, it happened again: no heat in cabin and thermostat on ‘red.’ I cooled it down and took it to another mechanic who said the head bolts are stripped, causing coolant to leak and the engine to overheat. He said the bolts were not put in properly during manufacturing. I see many customer complaints on the internet. I call Toyota (1800 331-4331). The Rep says Toyota has not issued a recall about this, leaving me SOL (simply out of luck). Right now, I’m looking at having to spend at least $1600 to repair a car that is supposed to be reliable. Remember, ‘Toyota tough?’ I’ve been a loyal Toyota owner for years – but I believe this will be my last.
– Signed, Disappointed in MD
– Signed, Disappointed in MD
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1
Another notch on the belt
Wow,
I wish I'd found this forum before buying my car. I bought a 2003 Camry LE V6 Manual about a month and a half ago. The first 3 days were fine, and after that there was some issues with cabin heat not working, and occasional overheating. The problem was for the first two weeks I owned the car, I only commuted about 5 minutes to work, not enough time to really know there was an issue (and it presented none during the test drive).
One night, two weeks after purchasing, i did some substantial driving, about 100 miles overall, and by the end it was completely fried, despite monitoring coolant (levels seems normal). I suspected maybe a bad thermostat or water pump, but when I had it towed to the dealership, they said it was a blown head gasket.
It took the dealership over a week to even decide if they'd help, and they outsourced it supposedly to a Toyota dealer (bought it from a Mazda dealer). They had no loaner car for me, and never once committed to a date when it'd be fixed.
Last week they allowed me to pick up a loaner, and after putting $15 in the tank straight off the dealership, THAT car overheated 6 miles down the road. They offered no compensation for my money or anything, no other vehicle, nothing.
Now, almost 4 weeks after the original date of the breakdown, they say the head is being replaced as well. This has been so extremely frustrating. In my case, the dealership is more to blame for their lack of customer service, but this definitely sounds like the same issue.
I really hope Toyota pays for this someday.
I wish I'd found this forum before buying my car. I bought a 2003 Camry LE V6 Manual about a month and a half ago. The first 3 days were fine, and after that there was some issues with cabin heat not working, and occasional overheating. The problem was for the first two weeks I owned the car, I only commuted about 5 minutes to work, not enough time to really know there was an issue (and it presented none during the test drive).
One night, two weeks after purchasing, i did some substantial driving, about 100 miles overall, and by the end it was completely fried, despite monitoring coolant (levels seems normal). I suspected maybe a bad thermostat or water pump, but when I had it towed to the dealership, they said it was a blown head gasket.
It took the dealership over a week to even decide if they'd help, and they outsourced it supposedly to a Toyota dealer (bought it from a Mazda dealer). They had no loaner car for me, and never once committed to a date when it'd be fixed.
Last week they allowed me to pick up a loaner, and after putting $15 in the tank straight off the dealership, THAT car overheated 6 miles down the road. They offered no compensation for my money or anything, no other vehicle, nothing.
Now, almost 4 weeks after the original date of the breakdown, they say the head is being replaced as well. This has been so extremely frustrating. In my case, the dealership is more to blame for their lack of customer service, but this definitely sounds like the same issue.
I really hope Toyota pays for this someday.