Three problems related to engine burning oil have been reported for the 1998 Toyota Camry. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The consumer received a letter from the manufacturer in may 2000 stating that his 1998 Camry had the potential of oil gelling or sludging. The letter also explained that this problem could be diagnosed by the presence of blue smoke or excessive oil consumption. The consumer vehicle didn't exhibit any signs of a problem when the letter was received. Eventually the consumer started noticing smoke coming out of the tailpipe on startup and took the vehicle to the dealer. The letter was presented to the service manager. The dealer refused to diagnose the problem without the consumer paying a fee. The consumer refused to pay and the problem was never diagnose or fixed. The consumer contacted the manufacturer but they also stated that he had to pay the dealer for the diagnostic test.
My 1998 Toyota camery always burned some oil. Then at about 108000 miles it started burning oil at a rapid pace. I brought it in to Toyota to have it looked at for the oil sludging problem ,which they know of. They said my engine is shot and I did not have the oil sludge problem, so they would not cover repairs. They said one reason I did not have this problem is because I changed oil every 3000 miles.
I changed my oil and the attendent said the oil was gelling up. Since that day foward my car burns 4quarts of oil in less than 200 miles I bought the car from the dealer less than a year in a half ago. (Dec 22,2002). Not one garage wants to repair my vechile they told me it was oil rings or valves but its due to the oil sludge. I called Toyota dealership and they told me too bad that I had to pay for the dealer to take the head off and than let them determine if it indeed it is oil gelling. Than Toyota USA would look over my file to see if it would fix the problem very rude and univiting.