2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid Engine cooling Problems

“During the last 2 or 3 oil changes the shop I was at noted that the car was low on oil when it came it. I've always made sure they filled it to the top and while checking it recently in between changes (2k before next oil change was due) the dipstick was only showing oil at the halfway marks between the two dots on the stick. I also noticed that during hard acceleration on the highway smoke is coming out of the tailpipe. There are no visible leaks and the car has been properly maintained. …”

“Problem started with a clicking noise under the hood, near the engine and brakes that were crunching when slowing down or stopping. The clicking noise grew louder, happened more often and even continued after the car was turned off. Took the car to dealer who told me it was the ABS actuator. The dash lights were not on at this point and I continued to drive it. The lights on the dash appeared almost 6 weeks later when I stopped driving the car because it could be dangerous if I suddenly lost my brakes. …”

“A few months before the check engine light came on, I started to notice some unusual noise from a part under the hood at the far right side, behind the head light. In the beginning it just hummed very loud when I stopped the car. Then it became worse, I could hear the noise even during driving. I took the car to the dealership and they told me this was normal for hybrid car. I didn't believe them but couldn't argue with them because I know very little about cars. Then one day in early june of 2012 the check engine light came on and the brake became soft. …”

“Engine sludge: engine started making a noise, so took it to a Toyota dealership. They inspected it said it had engine sludge. They told me I never changed my oil and I used the wrong viscosity, I used 5w30 instead of 5w20 recommended, not required recommended. Thin oil is mandated by federal standards for mileage purposes only. I change my oil every 5000 miles, and told them so. At that time they told me I needed the engine rebuilt, it will cost $8000 or 9000 to fix it. And then they voided my warranty. …”

“Yesterday,jan. 16, 2010, I was driving my camry and noticed the odor of oil through my A/C. It was raining so the street surfaces were wet, and I noticed that I was slipping as I accelerated from stops and making simple turns at normal wet-driving speeds, and three times this almost caused an accident. As I neared my home, the oil pressure light came on for just a moment and went off again. This happened once more a moment before I pulled into my driveway. I parked the vehicle, turned it off, and went inside for a moment to get a flashlight. …”