My sons 1990 626 ran great. I change the oil and reconnected the speedometer cable that had vibrated loose. took it for a drive to make sure I didn't have any oil leaks. It ran for about 5 minutes and just died. Left it set for a couple of hours, it started right up and ran great for about 3 minutes and shut off like I turned the key off. I disconnected the battery to see if resetting the computer would help. I reconnected the battery after about 3 hours. started right up again ran for a while but shut down again. Change fuel filter even though it pumped lots of gas with the old filter taken loose at the out port. I didn't check for anything else. Any suggestions?

The speedometer cable should not have anything to do with changing the ball joint. it goes directly to the transmission on a 93. your grinding sounds like either someone didn't get the bearing back in the hub right or loose bolts on the wheel ..

It sounds like they may have just bumped a connection loose. You could call the shop you had your oil changed at and explain your situation and they may be able to have you drive back to the store so they can double check any connections they could have bumped. Its pretty common, also you could also try going to advanced auto or auto zone and most of the time someone would be glad to help check them too. I always get great service or advice from those stores. I guess it depends on the "willingness" and knowledge of the sales rep. as well as how busy your local stores are when you go in. Hopefully that got you pointed in a few helpfull directions to start with.

Take it to a qualified mechanic!!!!! Whoever you used up to now is a **** and shouldn't be in the auto repair business. The oil leak on the plugs is from a bad valve cover gasket, did they change it?
The diagnosis of the crankshaft being loose is ridiculous, even with 146K miles.

over time engine vibrations can cause small bolts (like those found on hose clamps) to become loose. when you take your car in to be serviced (an actual inspection not just an oil change) they are supposed to check torques.

try changing out ignition coil

Yes it is the cable type. The instrument cluster must first be removed. Depress the retaining clip on the back of the cluster to release the speedometer cable. Once the end of the speedometer drive cable is exposed, grip the inner cable with pliers and draw it out of the housing. Installation is the reverse of removal, but lubricate the entire cable. Use special speedometer cable lubricant, Not oil, for this purpose. Insert the cable into the housing using a twisting movement until the lower end is felt to engage with the pinion gear at the transmission. You can also check the Pinion Gear at the transmission, That is where the speedometer cable connects to the transmission. Some times these small nylon gears will strip out caused from no lubrication in the speedometer cable housing. If the above does not solve your problem you may need to change out the cluster itself to obtain a good working speedometer head. Good Luck and Happy New Year. From Ernie @ RedDeer, Alberta, Canada.

Sounds like the cable is dry and needs lubricating, sometimes you can take off the gearbox end and pour in some oil.

Ive worked in a Toyota dealership for the past 11 years and yes I have seen oil filters work there way loose and vibrated off, but you are right, not usually after 4 months of driving. It could have happend if it was loose origanally and then it finally worked its way off. idk its hard to tell- but ill tell you one thing usually when this happens it it with an aftermarket oil filter and not a genuine Toyota filter. and 08 Camry motors rarley blow and dont burn or leak oil so the filter over time had to be the only way for it to loose oil. Im not trying to take the dealers side cause i work at one- all im saying is that it is possibe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPvX190txvk

perhaps a vehicle distance sensor located in transmission however if you have a check engine light on I would hook it up to a OBD 2 scanner to retrieve the fault code gue$$inglis not the way to go! the vehicle might have 2 of these sensors Vehicle input and output sensor be sure to check the speedometer cable to see if it is still functioning internally that would be totally mechanical!!! cable with in a cable! hope this helped you out!