Recent content by Rob Mac

My 06 Toyota Tacoma 4X4 is almost 14 years old and still looks like new. It’s been outside in the Florida weather since new. White paint is really shot but from a close distance looks polished like new. Still matches 040 touch up paint very closely. All the rubber trim is solid. Engine still...

For the PC persons I offended with the word lemon I change that wording to "Trouble free challenged". After all it wasn't by law a lemon. Just by my standards for a Toyota vehicle.

Car was maintenance babied and driven almost always by my wife. Mobil 1 oil, Toyota filter every 4-6K miles. Transmission was flushed once at 60K miles and drain and filled every 4th oil change. Pan dropped, cleaned and filter changed, very easy on this car. Whine was more a gear whine with...

We just solved all the various problems with our 2009 (Japan made) Corolla LE. This car had a bad VVTI cam gear rattle, rotting window rubber trim, totally shot paint, a drive belt system that ate belts at 3K miles, bad alternator, both half shafts, both wheel bearings, whining transmission...

If you want to keep the car as long as possible do it every three years. The coolant does gradually turn acidic and eats at things like head gaskets. I believe the recommended interval is really stretching it. BTW there is a 10mm drain plug in back of the engine that releases trapped coolant...

Just found the answer.

Is the 2020 1.8 liter engine oil filter housing wrench the same size as the previous generation? (2009)

The outer joint seems to have been the problem. Although the inner boot came apart easily the inner joint binds when articulated. The boot was exhibiting minor deposits of grease every wheel rotation.

… I just replaced the drivers side half shaft and what a pain in the arse to remove. I have performed this much more easily on a Tacoma but there is no good place to pry on the left side half shaft of a Corolla. The old axle came apart at the inner joint when pulling outward. If it helps anybody...

Take it to a Batteries Plus or auto parts store and get a free alternator test.

You could purchase a cheap Bluetooth OBD2 adapter and download Torque Pro on an old android phone. Set up your vehicle in the profile and you can monitor the actual temps on the phone. My car runs just slightly hotter in the wicked temps we have been through lately especially with the AC on.

I've done this a few times on my 09 LE. I dropped the pan and cleaned out the small mount of sludge and replaced the filter which is some kind of fabric. The fill is about 3.5 quarts. I used WS compatible Valvoline MaxLife during and after the first full flush at 75K miles. I do a drain and fill...