About 4 months ago, I was driving on the highway going about 80 MPH for about 10 miles. When I got off the exit ramp, I was turning on the ramp and the car suddenly shut off completely. Power steering and brakes cut out, as did the motor. I was able to use the wheel enough to move it to the side but had to get it towed back to my mechanic's. He was not totally sure of the problem, but recommended we junk it because of the costs of a rebuild and the mileage(171,000). He thought it might be a broken piston. I have now purchased another car for myself(1999 Nissan Altima GXE).
I would like to figure out what is wrong with my camry and attempt to fix it to get a feel for working on a car. I have very few tools and will probably have to get more for this rebuild but I would like to know where to start. So far, I have taken off the valve cover but once I reached the camshafts, I did not know what to do next.
If someone could please help me to figure out the next step in determining the problem, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I would suggest getting a manual for the car if you don't have one. *Does the engine turn over when you use the starter or is it locke up?
*If it turns over, make sure the cams are moving.
*If they aren't the timing belt is broken. Easy to fix.
*If the engine is locked up, you have a serious internal failure and you might as well get set up for an engine swap. Repost and let us know!
FABB

Chances are, once you take apart the engine it will not be usable again.
Most mechanics learn about working on cars over time.
You could take apart things to see how they're put together, but you need specialized tools, knowledge and experience to get them re assembled correctly.
If you wanted to learn, are willing to invest the time and money, and have the necessary aptitude, it might work.
My first car was a Fiat I purchased for $5 in High School. The engine was in a cardboard box in pieces. I ordered engine parts, (bearings, rings, etc.) from JC Whitney, and when reassembled, everything worked.
The Camry is assembled with extreme precision.
Like I say, if you're willing to learn all the necessary procedures, and simply go step by step, engine rebuilding is not really difficult.
The bolts that hold the head on to the engine stretch during installation and cannot be re used. You need a degree wheel to install them properly. Use initial torque figure, then turn another 90 degrees.
You'll need to buy or rent an engine hoist to remove the engine. You'll first need to label and remove wiring and hoses.
The Factory Service Manual is good to have. Haynes manual also has a guide for engine rebuilding.
You'll be using "plastigauge" to check bearing clearances prior to re assembly.
Valve clearances are set with shims, using a micrometer to measure shim thickness.
You'll be using FIPG (form in place gasket material) for the oil pan.
May as well do all the maintenance procedures if you're rebuilding, so the engine will be like new. That is change the oil seals, timing belt, water pump, idler pulleys.
Could be an interesting project if you take your time and follow all the correct procedures.
If you find a good machine shop, they can perform tests for you on cylinder head flatness, and cylinder wear for example, and replace valve guides if needed.
The initial engine failure is suspect though. If well maintained, Camrys usually last until people get tired of driving them. While anomalies can occur, most engine failures can be traced to problems with the deferred maintenance in the lubrication or cooling systems.
You need to be scrupulously clean and accurate in engine rebuilding.
If you just want to take things apart to look at them without plans to re assemble, that would be much easier.

I bet it's just the timing belt. It's not likely the engine just died unless you spilled coolant or oil all over the highway.

Get a Toyota manual from Ebay or from:
http://techinfo.toyota.com/public/main/mdc.html

For tools- keep in mind that many auto part stores loan you tools- free.
I thing you just ran out of gas :smile:

The reason the engine probably died is because about 6 months before, I had needed to replace the radiator because the fluid was brown sludge and was completely rusted. That may be the problem because it could have rusted out the engine. Also, there is no possible way for me to run out of gas or not have enough oil. That morning I had just put more oil in(b/c it leaked oil) and i had filled the gas tank. It is also not the timing belt because that has been changed, unless it needs to be changed again.
I have the Chilton guide and have looked at it but it gives the instructions for opening up the engine without any descriptions. Thanks for your help and I will probably post soon.

Brian is suggesting that the new timing belt could have just broken. When the belt brakes, the valves don't open and close so you have no compression in the engine. With no compression, the engine will not run and just dies. An easy check for a broken timing belt is to have someone turn the key while you remove the oil cap and look down the hole. If the belt is still intack, you will see one or both of the cams turning. If not, the belt has broken. Another quick check for a broken belt is to remove the distributor cap and have someone turn the key again. If the rotor is turning, then the belt is still intack; if not, the belt is broken.

Another common thing that can stop a running engine in it's tracks is a broken fuel pump. An easy check for a broken fuel pump is to remove the gas cap and put your ear to the opening while someone turns the ignition to the on position. Listen for a slight hum from inside the gas tank. If there is a hum the fuel pump is working; if no hum is heard, it probably is not working. If no hum is heard, the next step would be to get a fuel pressure gage and hook it up to the fuel rail (just like a schrader valve on a tire) and turn the key to try starting the engine. Now read the gage; 0 reading means the pump is not working.

Good luck.

Mike

Did you check the fuse?

I think I forgot to tell everyone this, even though it is a pretty major detail, but my camry still turns on and runs but it smokes somewhat and i can hear a strong knocking noise in the engine.

Never mind