2003 Corolla 1.4vvti

Myrddin

Hi folks

I'm just wondering if there's anything I need to look out for on the above car. It has just rolled over to 90k, and am wondering if there's any thing that usually needs attention around this type of age/mileage.

I've noticed, not sure if it's just me, but it can sound a bit rough for about two seconds just after it has started. Not in a running rough way, it runs smooth, but just in terms of the noise of the innards when it fires up. After two seconds it seems better. It's a rough/rattle type noise, but could be normal & have been there for years without me noticing it.

The other thing is there's a high pitched squeal from the rear of the car when turning left slightly, and only intermittently. It sounds like perhaps there's a handbrake shoe maybe sticking? If I lift the handbrake up while driving (slowly, on a straight road, & only enough to tension the cables), there's a thud from the rear like a shoe or something has come unstuck.

Any info is appreciated

CJhaughey

Rear brake issue sound like a pin holding the shoes in place has broken. easy enough to fix and not expensive either.
Rough running after start up? not that uncommon. Sometimes the plastic intake manifold starts to separate causing a rough sound.
Is it serviced regularly? Fresh Oil and filter is a must.

Myrddin

CJhaughey wrote: »

Rear brake issue sound like a pin holding the shoes in place has broken. easy enough to fix and not expensive either.
Rough running after start up? not that uncommon. Sometimes the plastic intake manifold starts to separate causing a rough sound.
Is it serviced regularly? Fresh Oil and filter is a must.

Oh really? Cheers for that! Any info or links to either of the two probs that I might handle myself? It's serviced once a year, usually around the same time as the nct (also once a year now too).

CJhaughey

Myrddin wrote: »

Oh really? Cheers for that! Any info or links to either of the two probs that I might handle myself? It's serviced once a year, usually around the same time as the nct (also once a year now too).

Loosen wheel nuts.
Jack, axle stands securely fitted and then car resting on stands.
Remove wheel and place under car in case it falls.
Use a heavy hammer to give the brake drum a few good whacks to loosen it off the shoes.
remove brake drum, you may have to use 2x 8mm bolts to pull it off the hub.
Check brakes shoes for wear and that the pins and springs and little metal tophat washers are in place and not rusted away.
Engine noise, too hard to diagnose without hearing it but a wood screw in the plastic manifold can stop it if it is the problem.

Frankie Lee

Pads on the rear of them. Handbrake shoes are almost certainly ok but I would not be surprised if the pads are low or sticking or both.

toyotaavensis

CJhaughey wrote: »

Loosen wheel nuts.
Jack, axle stands securely fitted and then car resting on stands.
Remove wheel and place under car in case it falls.
Use a heavy hammer to give the brake drum a few good whacks to loosen it off the shoes.
remove brake drum, you may have to use 2x 8mm bolts to pull it off the hub.
Check brakes shoes for wear and that the pins and springs and little metal tophat washers are in place and not rusted away.
Engine noise, too hard to diagnose without hearing it but a wood screw in the plastic manifold can stop it if it is the problem.

I thought these had discs at the back not drums?

Myrddin

toyotaavensis wrote: »

I thought these had discs at the back not drums?

They do indeed. Do some cars have shoes on the inside of the disc (the drum part that attaches to the hub) maybe?

joujoujou

Myrddin wrote: »

[...]

I've noticed, not sure if it's just me, but it can sound a bit rough for about two seconds just after it has started. Not in a running rough way, it runs smooth, but just in terms of the noise of the innards when it fires up. After two seconds it seems better. It's a rough/rattle type noise, but could be normal & have been there for years without me noticing it.

[...]

Sounds like timing chain stretched a bit. Make sure you always have engine oil at highest possible level. I'd consider to replace chain tensioner at least (approx 30 notes plus labour - dealer's price).

Myrddin

joujoujou wrote: »

Sounds like timing chain stretched a bit. Make sure you always have engine oil at highest possible level. I'd consider to replace chain tensioner at least (approx 30 notes plus labour - dealer's price).

Is there much in it labour wise?

mphalo1

I had one before the noise your hearing in the engine is the timing chain they always go like that in the vvti engines .

pablo128

There's a bolt in the head on those with a metal gauze in it. It filters the oil going to the head. Well worth removing to check if it's gunked up.
http://www.google.ie/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=0azuy06EAD5w3M&tbnid=r0M7HH24U2q7jM:&ved=0CAUQjhw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newcelica.org%2Fforums%2Fshowthread.php%3Fp%3D5878795&ei=v5YoVNCuDIiM7AasiYEY&bvm=bv.76247554,d.ZGU&psig=AFQjCNEOQ9THJvepiEhg-M3CNYqthXP59A&ust=1412032564200579

toyotaavensis

This has never been done in my car with almost 140000 miles on it and i have no issues. I dont think this is necessary.

pablo128

toyotaavensis wrote: »

This has never been done in my car with almost 140000 miles on it and i have no issues. I dont think this is necessary.

Maybe not. However I replaced an engine in my sisters 03 Corolla as she ran it out of oil and the cam siezed breaking the chain and wrecking it. The lad in the breakers recommended checking and cleaning it every so often. It would cost nothing to do, 10 minutes and a blast of carb cleaner. As I said, worth a look and easy to check.

toyotaavensis

I dont think this needs to be done if the oil is changes regularly.

joujoujou

Myrddin wrote: »

Is there much in it labour wise?

Not really. take a look:







Hook must be on top side, as above pictures show.

Hint: other way to release chain tensioner - engage 5th gear and pull the car backwards.