Oil shield failure on my Camry

Asked by DocRocks Feb 07, 2010 at 08:39 AM about the 2003 Toyota Camry LE

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Hello forum,

Has anyone else experienced or heard of this problem?

A piece of the metal plate under the oil fill port on the engine of my 2003 Camry (Toyota calls it a splash shield) broke and fell onto the timing change sprocket. This stopped the engine, bent all valves and chipped the pistons - totalled the engine. Toyota says they have no reports of this happening. My dealer found a low level caution memo from Toyota that warns about contact with the plate while adding oil. I bought a used engine because my Camry (116K miles) was otherwise in excellent shape. Toyota USA offered minor compensation but deniend any warrantee or other responsibility.

Seems to me that engine heat and repeated flexing of the shield during oil changes could cause metal fatigue and eventual failure. Has anyone heard of this problem in other Camry's?

2 Answers
20,115

Mike answered 14 years ago

I have never heard of this happening in 35 years of service I would say ( No offense implied ) that it is user error. Probably by attempting to get the oil bottle to stay in the hole without holding it by over pushing the bottle into the filler hole, into the metal splash shield and subsequently off of its retaining rivits.

Mark helpful

DocRocks answered 14 years ago

That's what Toyota USA said. I appreciate your input and no offense taken. Still not fully in agreement but thought I would put it out there for comment.

Mark helpful

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