I just acquired a tokunbo 02/03 Toyota camry. my mechanic serviced with TOTAL oil. The check engine light came up the following when I drove the car. I later noticed after some days of servicing that when I start the engine in the morning or after parking for some time (probably when the engine cools off) there will be white smoke from the exhaust but within 5-8 seconds it will fizzle out. after talking to another mechanic, he said I should get " STOP SMOKE" from a filling station and poured or drop into the engine.
I took the car for scanning and got the catalyst error codes, it was cleared and after 3 days it came up again.
the experts, specialists and anybody that has the idea in the house, please advice me on what to do cos I don't want to gamble with car engine by this our road side mechanics.
thanks.

If it happens quite early in the money wen the outside temperature is cold, then it could be steam, especially as it clears seconds after the engine has warmed.

Otherwise, it may be a problem with your cooling system, especially coolant leaks or gasket problems.

Auto gurus here should know better.

omicron: If it happens quite early in the money wen the outside temperature is cold, then it could be steam, especially as it clears seconds after the engine has warmed.

Otherwise, it may be a problem with your cooling system, especially coolant leaks or gasket problems.

Auto gurus here should know better.

Thanks my brother, it do happens even in the afternoon as along as I have parked for a period of atleast 30mins. Someone told me yesterday that it's due to the fact that d car is yet to adapt to the engine oil used.
Pls people, I need your inputs. @ikenna @siena @car doctor @nissanparts @ elecktra and others.

Issyman:
Thanks my brother, it do happens even in the afternoon as along as I have parked for a period of atleast 30mins. Someone told me yesterday that it's due to the fact that d car is yet to adapt to the engine oil used.
Pls people, I need your inputs. @ikenna @siena @car doctor @nissanparts @ elecktra and others.

Sorry about the palava from your car.
1. I need you to answer these questions, Did mechanic remove you Catalytic converter (indomie) or oxygen sensor from that car?
2. Have they opened you engine before?
3. Have they remove anything like termostart or even change your gasket before?
4. How many litres of oil and what type of oil do you use in that car/ and when do you normally change it?

However, I will like you to scan that car and show us the code(s) it throws up.

lomomike:

Sorry about the palava from your car.
1. I need you to answer these questions, Did mechanic remove you Catalytic converter (indomie) or oxygen sensor from that car?
2. Have they opened you engine before?
3. Have they remove anything like termostart or even change your gasket before?
4. How many litres of oil and what type of oil do you use in that car/ and when do you normally change it?

However, I will like you to scan that car and show us the code(s) it throws up.

answers to your questions:
1-the catalytic converter is still there according to mechanic but am not sure of oxygen sensor
2-i have not opened the engine before. just got the car 2 weeks ago.
3- the only thing done on the car was changing of engine and gear oil, coolant and replacement of brake pads
4- my mechanic said he used TOTAL cos that is what he used for most of my friends also.
I scanned the car on Friday, the error was catalytic error. unfortunately the mechanic at the service center wasn't around. the manager of the service center told me maybe its a blockage but cleared the error but the light came on again on sunday morning.

I consulted another mechanic I met somewhere I went to, the guy said maybe its the engine oil or the valve seal. he maybe correct cos I saw the same complaint on a website carcomplaints.com and the solution people had was changing of the valve seal. I also discovered from the website that its a general problem for the model.
thanks lomomike and still more inputs please from everyone.
thanks.
@lomomike where are u based?

with the explanation valve seal is the culprit. it happened to me and I only changed the valve seal. make sure your piston and rings are not worn. you don't have to be scared, look for a good mechanic to fix it. I did mine with 11k including oil and oil filter. you budget 15k.it takes a professional to do the job because your top cylinder will have to down and make sure are there. it will a one day job so make out the time good luck

JUO: with the explanation valve seal is the culprit. it happened to me and I only changed the valve seal. make sure your piston and rings are not worn. you don't have to be scared, look for a good mechanic to fix it. I did mine with 11k including oil and oil filter. you budget 15k.it takes a professional to do the job because your top cylinder will have to down and make sure are there. it will a one day job so make out the time good luck

Thank you. now I can say am relieved with your experience that you shared. I will have to make out time also like you advised.

@ikenna351
waiting for your input

Check the oil gauge, cos over filling can most likly cause smoking.

SOME1 HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM...U CAN CHECK HERE.
That code seems a bit unnerving if the sensors were not bumped or loose. If you clear it an it comes back on, you could have a timing chain issue (stretched) or sprocket issue or a camshaft issue or just a bad sensor. You might need the timing adjusted. I would take it to the dealer ASAP.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/132-9th-generation-2003-2008/213804-what-do-about-p1346-code-help.html

Issyman: I just acquired a tokunbo 02/03 Toyota camry. my mechanic serviced with TOTAL oil. The check engine light came up the following when I drove the car. I later noticed after some days of servicing that when I start the engine in the morning or after parking for some time (probably when the engine cools off) there will be white smoke from the exhaust but within 5-8 seconds it will fizzle out. after talking to another mechanic, he said I should get " STOP SMOKE" from a filling station and poured or drop into the engine.
I took the car for scanning and got the catalyst error codes, it was cleared and after 3 days it came up again.
the experts, specialists and anybody that has the idea in the house, please advice me on what to do cos I don't want to gamble with car engine by this our road side mechanics.
thanks.

Issyman:
answers to your questions:
1-the catalytic converter is still there according to mechanic but am not sure of oxygen sensor
2-i have not opened the engine before. just got the car 2 weeks ago.
3- the only thing done on the car was changing of engine and gear oil, coolant and replacement of brake pads
4- my mechanic said he used TOTAL cos that is what he used for most of my friends also.
I scanned the car on Friday, the error was catalytic error. unfortunately the mechanic at the service center wasn't around. the manager of the service center told me maybe its a blockage but cleared the error but the light came on again on sunday morning.

I consulted another mechanic I met somewhere I went to, the guy said maybe its the engine oil or the valve seal. he maybe correct cos I saw the same complaint on a website carcomplaints.com and the solution people had was changing of the valve seal. I also discovered from the website that its a general problem for the model.

Solving car probelms are same as Treating medical ailments. If you complain of headache to your doctor (except he is quack) he certainly would not jimmediately prescribe Paracetamol. He most likely would ask for a blood pressure check (scan) and he would expect figures (eg 180/110) and not an inference of the "BP was high". And then he would request for detailed history.

From the history you provided, I understand the following:
i) when you got the car it wasn't smoking.
ii) and after you changed the Total oil it still didn't smoke but the Check engine light comes up.
iii) after days (2, 7days,?) smoking starts (white smoke) but stops after 5-8 seconds. Is the oil receeding on your dipstick?
iv) You get a scan saying catalytic error. Please what is the code P0###.

That's all you have provided in your histroy and thats the basis of solution. But if there is something missing in my list above pls provide later as a list also.

POSSIBLE SOLUTION:
i) If your check engine light came up only after the oil change and all you did was put Total quartz (and Filter ??) into your engine with out fiddling with Plug coils/ wires etc then get mobil XHP (from a reputed fuel staion only) and do a change to get out the bad oil (maybe adulterated).
ii) The Code you are suggesting that came up immediately after the oil change can be associated with white smoke. Black smoke yes but certainly not white. But interestingly the white smoke only last for5-8 seconds. So please provide all codes registered in you ECM or is it only a Single code.
For now an oil change and a proper scan is all I can advice. And lets know if your oil shots/receeds on the dipstick. What's the odometer reading of your car?

@gluck4cars.
Thanks for ur response. I checked the oil stick, the oil is a bit from the full sign i.e the upper hole on the stick.
Secondly, the smoke now lasts for almost 25seconds cos I checked it this morning and it happens anytime the engine cools down.
Thirdly, when I scanned the car, the code was catalytic error. So I got a panel beater to help ascertain the state of the catalyst converter (indomie) yesterday and he told me it's bad and also there is small leakage on the exhaust.
My mechanic said it's probably the valve seal that is the culprit which another mechanic also suggested but am weary of them opening up the engine.

White smoke at cold start especially during cold mornings... THATS GOOD!

white smoke that appears blue whether in the morning or anytime - sign of oil getting into the combustion chamber ---- BAD OIL OR WEAK RINGS

Blue smoke at high revs -....... Rings could be getting tired for the particular engine oil weight.

Black smoke .......... sign of a faulty emission and combustion devices, (air flow meter, air filter, injector nozzles etc)

few white smoke and water from exhaust pipe -............ Sign of a healthy fuel combustion



from your explanation, I think that's what I always like to see in my ride, steam!!! and water...... with clear exhaust & no soot

I still need u guys response on this issue cos am very scaring of opening up the engine of the car. Some comments are hidden by the moderator I guessed.
Like I mentioned earlier, when I took custody of the car, it was only steam that came out for the first 2days before the oil change. It was after the oil change that I noticed the smoking like keke napep when u start the car after the engine has cooled off. So I wonder aw can just changing the oil damage the valve seal. Am thinking maybe it's a wrong oil that was used cos the car manual states 5W30. It's a 2AZ-FE engine.
Pls my people am still waiting for ur professional advice.
Thanks to you all

Pls make sure that your oil does not EXCEED d maximum oil level on the dipstick because ur engine will suffer.

Secondly don't use any OIL ADDITIVES in the engine at all. I.e. STOP SMOKE etc. Its not good for the engine. Most likely the problem existed before you bought that ride, it may not be the oil change that caused it. The guy u bought the car from temporarily made the check engine light to disappear just 4 u 2 notice that the car is ok. I can make the check engine light 2 disappear in a toyota car but it will definitely reappear.

Call the person u bought it from and ask if the 'check engine light' had been off before you bought it so you can stop worrying yourself. Then you can scan the car if he does/doesnt respond.

DONT allow mechanics 2 open ur engine. That engine 03/04 camry is very expensive so pls don't do trial and error. Best of luck

Still waiting for your input people

my guy u too worry! how often do You top the oil?

JUO: my guy u too worry! how often do You top the oil?

Guy, I am even afraid to touch the car. I stopped using it for the main time until the issue is resolved. It's only used for short distance and not often. I discovered on sun that the oil is becoming short. Am not just happy about opening up the engine of a car I bought less than one month.

Weak engine. Change it or completely overhaul it.

What's the mileage on this car?

Car-Doctor.

car-doctor:
Weak engine. Change it or completely overhaul it.

What's the mileage on this car?

Car-Doctor.

The mileage is 178K. Mechanics said it's the valve seal in the engine. I checked a website called carcomplaints.com the same complaints were made and culprit was valve seal. I also learnt from there that it's a common problem to the model at average of 100K miles.
Where is your workshop in abuja car doctor?