anyone know toyotas?

Robert-sl2 · 08-19-2004, 03:41 AM

Hey all. working on a friends 1990 corolla. If anyone knows the cars / engines, feel free to help.

1. Leaky Valve Cover Gasket - I see the valve cover is held in place by the 4 large nuts around the spark plug wells. Is there anything else that needs to come off to replace the gasket or other tips I should know?

2. PCV Valve - Where is it?

3. What is it? Does this plug go somewhere? I cant seem to find where it's mate is. (was told 02, but the only 02 sensor I see is on the manifold and is plugged in)

http://memimage.cardomain.com/member...7_259_full.jpg

4. Thermostat - Is there anything special about replacing the thermostat, or is it pretty straight forward as they usually are?

5. Was told the car failed emissions because it is running hot. I am attributing this to the thermostat first off. Is there anything common that I should be looking for as a cause to this problem? clogged Cat.....

Overall the car runs Ok, slightly rough idle, nothing major. Just need to fix these couple of things so it can pass emissions testing.

Thanks for your help.
Rob

gfreek · 08-23-2004, 04:09 AM

Try this site www.toyotanation.com/forum

Satyllac · 08-23-2004, 05:21 AM

Holy jeez, I thought this post was going to be something I'd have no idea about, but the only Toyota I knew was my 1990 Corolla DX! (I still really can't help you out with the problems, I sold the Chilton's manual with the car... That car lasted me a helluva long time, especially for beating the piss out of it, I was impressed.) If you wanna have some fun, take out the 4A-FE motor and swap in a 4A-GE for some extra power and potential.

Robert-sl2 · 08-23-2004, 06:19 AM

I tried toyota nation, nobody there was much help at all, and frankly, quite rude.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/sh...043#post429043

Artificialist · 08-23-2004, 05:14 PM

Overheating and clogged cat make it fail the emmissions?

Sometimes a bad cat makes the engine ineffecient, and then it runs hot.

See if the cat is melted inside.

jeep45238 · 08-23-2004, 09:57 PM

Robert, what year is it?

I know that on '96+ cars (OBD2), there's always 2 O2 sensors, one in the manifold and one behind the cat. Check that one out.

PCV valve, look for a tube going between the intake manifold and the valve cover, and then look at the provision on the valve cover. That should be it.

Valve cover gasket, it might/might not be held in with only 4 folts, but generally, all vehicles are clamped on around the edge of it to provide a good seal with the gasket. On saturn's there's a bunch around the edges and then 3 or so in the middle.

T-stat, should be like any other one.

The car might be running hot due to T-stat, fans, bad engine coolant sensor, clogged cat....

Try the simple fixes first.

Robert-sl2 · 08-24-2004, 02:57 AM

Well folks, thanks for the help. I called the guy tonite and told him I dont have time to deal with his POS (well didnt say that) car right now. wirking 50-65 hours / wk and trying to still have some fun squeezed in there doesnt leave much time for screwing around with someone elses old abused toys.

As for the PCV, I finally found the emissions sticker on the hood, the grime under there was so thinck that it had totally disappeared and as far as I can tell, there isnt one.

I dont think the fans are the prob or even a sensor for that matter because the car is not runnning hot to the point of overheating or even near hot on the gauge, so I am thinking T-stat. Which might also have somethign to do with the overflowing surge tank.

Oh well, the car si at the end of it's life @ over 200K. I thas obviously been abused. Oh well, he can do what he wants.

Thanks again

d4rks1d3 · 01-03-2005, 08:53 AM

1. Yes, just the 4 screw/spark plug holes
2. Doesnt have one
3. Does not use it, dont worry about it
4. 2 bolts, easy as pie
5. Its old, who cares