Plans for newly purchased 90 Camry

[scoathy]

I've put together a fairly extensive list of "to-dos" for our new family member and hope to complete much of this over the next week or two, time and money allowing, of course. She has 179k + runs well but a little sluggish and failed the NO2 emissions test yesterday. Based on the list below, did I miss anything obvious? Any items that would be a waste of time and money to worry about?

The timing belt was completed @169k and the water pump looks new so I believe the PO had the full enchilada done when the timing belt was replaced. Some of these are questionable and based on further inspections.


Cooling System : Radiator Drain Petcock/Drain Plug
Cooling System : Radiator Lower Hose
Cooling System : Radiator Upper Hose
Cooling System : Temperature Sender
Cooling System : Thermostat
Cooling System : Thermostat Seal/Gasket
Electrical-Lamp & Socket : BULB,FRT corner lamp
Electrical-Lamp & Socket : Dome Light Bulb
Electrical-Lamp & Socket : License Plate Lamp Bulb
Emission : Air Temperature Sensor
Emission : Oxygen Sensor
Emission : Oxygen Sensor Gasket
Engine : Oil Drain Plug
Engine : Oil Pan Gasket
Engine : Valve Cover Gasket (With Plug Tube Gaskets)
Fuel/Air : Air Filter
Fuel/Air : Fuel Filter
Fuel/Air : Throttle Body Gasket
Heat & Air Conditioning : A/C System O-Ring & Gasket Kit
Ignition : Distributor Cap WITH IGNITION WIRES
Ignition : Distributor Rotor
Ignition : Distributor Oil Seal/Gasket
Ignition : Ignition Coil
Ignition : Spark Plugs
Steering : Power Steering Filter
Suspension : Strut Assembly Front Left MONROE Part # 71860
Suspension : Strut Assembly Front Right MONROE Part # 71859
Suspension : Strut Assembly Rear Left MONROE Part # 71862
Suspension : Strut Assembly Rear Right MONROE Part # 71861
Suspension: Strut Mount Front MONROE Part # 901944
Suspension: Strut Mount Rear MONROE Part # 901962
Transmission-Automatic : Drain Plug Gasket
Transmission-Automatic : Filter and Gasket
Transmission-Automatic : Oil Pan Gasket
Wipers
PCV Valve
PCV Hose
Motor Oil
Oil Filter
Anti-Freeze (One Gallon)
Transmission Fluid
Power-Steering Fluid
Differential Fluid
Wiper fluid (One Gallon)
Simple Green (One Gallon)
Brake pads (Front set)
Rotors?
Brake Shoes?? Rear Set
Cleaning: Detail ENTIRE car
Cleaning: Paint side mirrors with high gloss black paint.
Cleaning: Paint wiper arms with high gloss black paint.
Cleaning: Clean or paint Bumpers a Satin Black

[white90dx]

I assume this is the list of things you want to do?

If so, here are my suggestions:

Cooling System : Radiator Drain Petcock/Drain Plug - no need
Cooling System : Radiator Lower Hose - only if old/worn
Cooling System : Radiator Upper Hose - only if old/worn, check other hoses while you are in there (heater core hoses, etc.)
Cooling System : Temperature Sender - no need unless there is a problem (note that the 'sender' is for the cluster, and the 'sensor' is for the engine computer)
Cooling System : Thermostat - should have been done with water pump. Use OEM
Cooling System : Thermostat Seal/Gasket - use OEM, only if doing thermostat
Electrical-Lamp & Socket : BULB,FRT corner lamp
Electrical-Lamp & Socket : Dome Light Bulb
Electrical-Lamp & Socket : License Plate Lamp Bulb
Emission : Air Temperature Sensor - part of AFM, don't try to replace
Emission : Oxygen Sensor - replace if original
Emission : Oxygen Sensor Gasket - no need
Engine : Oil Drain Plug - only if leaking
Engine : Oil Pan Gasket - only if leaking
Engine : Valve Cover Gasket (With Plug Tube Gaskets) - only if leaking
Fuel/Air : Air Filter - ok
Fuel/Air : Fuel Filter - ok
Fuel/Air : Throttle Body Gasket - no need
Heat & Air Conditioning : A/C System O-Ring & Gasket Kit - only if A/C is loosing refrigerant
Ignition : Distributor Cap WITH IGNITION WIRES - ok
Ignition : Distributor Rotor - ok
Ignition : Distributor Oil Seal/Gasket - only if leaking
Ignition : Ignition Coil - only if you notice problems after other ignition parts are replaced
Ignition : Spark Plugs - use OEM NGK or Denso standard plugs, replace every 15k miles
Steering : Power Steering Filter - no filter on the car
Suspension : Strut Assembly Front Left MONROE Part # 71860 - only if bad ride / clunking noises
Suspension : Strut Assembly Front Right MONROE Part # 71859
Suspension : Strut Assembly Rear Left MONROE Part # 71862
Suspension : Strut Assembly Rear Right MONROE Part # 71861
Suspension: Strut Mount Front MONROE Part # 901944 - only if clunking noises
Suspension: Strut Mount Rear MONROE Part # 901962
Transmission-Automatic : Drain Plug Gasket - only if doing a drain and fluid refill
Transmission-Automatic : Filter and Gasket - no need
Transmission-Automatic : Oil Pan Gasket - only if leaking
Wipers - ok
PCV Valve - no PCV valve on the 3s-fe
PCV Hose - only if old/cracked/leaking
Motor Oil - ok
Oil Filter - ok, avoid Fram
Anti-Freeze (One Gallon)
Transmission Fluid - do just a simple drain and refill
Power-Steering Fluid - ok, make sure to use Dexron ATF
Differential Fluid - ok
Wiper fluid (One Gallon) - ok
Simple Green (One Gallon) - for cleaning the engine / engine bay?
Brake pads (Front set) - only if worn out
Rotors? - check thickness when replacing pads (should be on the disk)
Brake Shoes?? Rear Set - check
Cleaning: Detail ENTIRE car - nice!
Cleaning: Paint side mirrors with high gloss black paint. - make sure to scuff, use adhesion promotor, prime and paint (remove from car when doing this)
Cleaning: Paint wiper arms with high gloss black paint. - ok
Cleaning: Clean or paint Bumpers a Satin Black[/QUOTE] - most paint won't stick, just use a 'back-to-black' type product

-Charlie

[scoathy]

Hey Charlie,

Thanks so much for taking the time to review my list. you saved me a few bucks and time, and also provided some good notes to consider as well!

Regarding the Heat & Air Conditioning : A/C System O-Ring & Gasket Kit - only if A/C is loosing refrigerant. The A/C system is completely out of refrigerant and there is a bit of nastiness on several connection points of the compressor with a large amount of goop sitting on the motor, just behind and below the compressor. I'm having the AC system checked to diagnose and hoping it is not gonna take much more than seals and refrigerant refill to resolve. Fingers crossed... haha

Yepper, the simple green is for the engine bay cleaning.

Thanks again!