Jim Grant's Tech Tips

‘91 Toyota Camry, Low Mileage Prospect

Q: I’ve come across a ‘91 Toyota Camry with only 53k. This vintage vehicle seems like a good prospect. That is assuming the car has been well taken care of and serviced, do you feel this is a good bet? Has this model any known problems?

- James Gurley

A: As great of a vehicle as Toyotas are there, are a few maintenance concerns you’ll want to address before hitting the highway. Due to the vehicle’s age and lack of mileage there are service items that may not have been addressed, that under normal operating conditions would have been serviced and/or replaced at least a couple of times. First on the list is vital fluids, from the engine coolant to the brake fluid, they all should be either drained or flushed. The fuel filter has to be replaced. I also have a concern for the timing belt. With 14 years on that rubber band there has to be some rotting occurring. I would suggest replacing the timing belt and while in the area, replace the water pump, camshaft and front crankshaft seals. I would suggest “not” using any additives in the engine oil for cleaning or sludge removal. I would recommend a regular diet of oil and filter changes to allow the detergents and additives in the oil to slowly break-up deposits that will have formed from such little usage. With a little shake down and over due maintenance taken care of your Toyota will be ready to do what they were designed to do, run good for a long time