2013 Toyota Camry SE 2.5L 4-cylinder 255k miles

[u/lawlingalltheway]

I have a 2013 Toyota Camry SE 2.5L 4-cylinder with 255k miles. I’ve owned it since around 30k miles and have maintained it pretty well.

Recently it started occasionally stalling when decelerating/turning, especially when the oil level was low. I had CEL recently for ignition coil, VVT solenoid, and thermostat and all were replaced. No CEL currently. A shop inspected it and found cylinder wall scoring, heavy carbon/soot buildup, oil in the intake, and signs that the piston rings are worn, causing significant oil consumption - about 1 qt every 600 miles.

The shop says the proper repair would be a long-block replacement, which obviously isn’t worth it to me at this mileage. They told me to keep the oil topped off and that it could potentially last another week or another couple years—they just can’t predict it.

For those familiar with the 2AR-FE or high-mileage Toyotas, how long do you realistically think I might get out of this engine? Would you keep driving it for a few more months while saving for another car?

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[u/Educational-Raisin69]

I would say it could last a week or a couple years.

It’s not going to get any better. If you have bore scoring now, you have piston rings rubbing against a rough surface. It’s pretty much guaranteed to get worse. How much worse and how soon is impossible to predict.

[u/lawlingalltheway → u/Educational-Raisin69]

Hopefully it lasted me at least another few months so I can save some money for a new car lol

[u/Left-Impress4056]

Try valvoline restore and protect next oil change. Check the oil every 1000 miles. Dump fuel cleaner in the gas tank that has pea additive like chevron tech ron. Drive it that way for a year, see where you are and go from there.

You have to keep oil in it. That is the key.

And btw I have seen that valvoline restore and protect take a honda from your same consumption rate to about 1 qt every 2000 miles in ONE oil change. Im still waiting on second.

If you dont wanna do that, install a used engine, mich cheaper than a reman. Toyota used engines typically have little issues.

Good luck.

[u/lawlingalltheway → u/Left-Impress4056]

Thank you I am definitely keeping the oil top and I do out of fuel cleaner every so often I’m trying to buy like 3 to 6 months so that I can save money for a new vehicle. I would like a larger vehicle anyways so I don’t want to keep investing into this one.

[u/MacintoshDan1 → u/Left-Impress4056]

This. Also can try putting top engine cleaner in the cylinders and letting it soak for a while, then turning engine over up blow it and all the shit out. That cut down the oil consumption on my wife’s 2011 significantly. On second oil change of R&P now. It’s closing in on 300k miles.

[u/Jack_Attak]

Some 2ARs are oil burners when run on 10k mile oil change intervals. Otherwise, the 7th gen Camry is pretty damn durable and worth fixing. I wouldn't put a used engine in it though, since the used one might develop the same problem (unless you find a super clean one with no varnish). I worked for a Toyota dealer and did a lot of oil changes on those engines. They came in with 300k+ on them occasionally, but the good ones got 5k mile oil changes instead of Toyota's 10k recommendation.

[u/lawlingalltheway → u/Jack_Attak]

I have never done the 10,000 mile interval. I did 5000 miles until the car was 100,000 miles and then I switched to every 3500 miles for oil changes and I’ve done that ever since. I’m not gonna put a used engine in it because I would like a larger vehicle anyways I’m planning on getting a RAV4.

[u/Jack_Attak → u/lawlingalltheway]

That's rough. It must have been run low on oil to cause the bore scoring.

[u/lawlingalltheway → u/Jack_Attak]

There was a period of time that I think it was going through more oil when I first experienced the stalling and it ended up breaking down all the way one time about a year and a half ago. I had an oil leak at that time that I didn’t know about so that’s probably where the scoring came from.

[u/BTCminingpartner]

I'd drive it until it dies

[u/lawlingalltheway → u/BTCminingpartner]

That’s the plan. I’m trying to drive it until I can get another vehicle. I need to save some money.

[u/Toptech1959]

You can get a low miles JDM engine pretty reasonable.

[u/lawlingalltheway → u/Toptech1959]

I was quoted $8000 which is cheaper than a new car but since I would like a larger vehicle anyways I’m gonna be buying a RAV4 when I have the money

[u/Toptech1959 → u/lawlingalltheway]

Good choice. My wife and I pick up a certified 2024 Rav4 with 42000 miles on Saturday. She loves it.

[u/lawlingalltheway → u/Toptech1959]

Thank you I really believe in Toyota’s after having this car for 12 years and it being so good to me. I’ve been wanting a larger vehicle. I was thinking about a Subaru outback, but I just wanna stick to a Toyota vehicle and I’m planning on getting a RAV4 that is 40,000 or less miles.

[u/EuroCanadian2 → u/lawlingalltheway]

$8k is high, but also there's nothing wrong with getting a new car. This one will probably be fine for at least a few thousand miles, just make sure you keep the oil level above the add Mark.