Hello

glad to find a Camry-oriented forum. Earlier this year I bought in Belgium (where I live) a 1985 Camry, with the 1.8 turbo Diesel engine, linked to the A140L automatic gearbox. Great condition, low mileage (100.000 kilometers), great car, quite fun to drive. Gas-oil consumption goes from 6,8 to 9,5 litres / 100 km following the use. Quick engine start, rather nervous on the road for only 73 HP, seats very very very comfortable (the biggest surprise for me, I never saw such comfy seats since my 1980 Renault 16!), good gearbox with overdrive and torque converter lock.
The only low point is due to the fact the car stayed years without being on the road: some joints may have been dried up andthe oil consumption is high, mostly driving in the city. Tarffic jams are not the Camry's strength: it smokes a lot (gas-oil + oil), I have to add up some oil every now and then. But when I only take the highways and national roads, the smoke is back to normal and there's no more oil consumption. I can do 500 kilometers on the road without having to fill up any oil. I wish I'd understand why.
A few pics lower and let's continue the discussion in appropriate topics.

Gilles

 

Any exhaust smoke on cold start up? The valve stem seals can harden with prolonged non-usage of engine.

Have you checked the engines PCV/CVS system? A plugged system can cause excess oil consumption.

How is the turbo bearing lubed? A pressure line from engine or ?

Sticky injectors?

 

No, only when the engine is warm and mostly on idle speed, after spending some time in traffic or city with lots of traffic lights.
When the engine fan is on, smoke even comes from under the engine hood.
Smoke is getting worse when the car is stopped at a traffic light, gearbox on Drive. I sometimes have to put it in N to have less exhaust.
But on the road and highway when the turbo works at its best, everything is back to normal. So I doubt the oil is sucked by the turbo... (luckily)

I will check that one then.

Seems the turbo is lubed from the engine.

Thanks
Gilles

 

If smoke from under the hoods obviously check for leaking exhaust, plus a broken PVC system.

If the turbo has an oil line running it this lubes the bearing. If the seal between the seal in the bearing fails, the lube oil can be drawn into the exhaust making smoke.