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Dan wrote:[color=blue]
> Hi,
>
> '95 Corolla 4A-FE, 80k miles, pings under load (when climbing hill),
> mainly on days when the air is dry. It also seems to have a harder time
> climbing.
> The car eats some 1/2 quart of oil between changes.
> I tried several brands of fuel additives with no improvement.
>
> Timing belt is the original. Could changing the belt fix the pinging?
> Or maybe the timing needs to be adjusted?
> How is this done on a 95 Corolla?
>
> Thanks.[/color]

The pinging could likely be caused by either too advanced ignition
timing or an inoperative EGR valve, or both.

Your 4A-FE probably has an EGR valve, but since I don't know what
emissions package you have, you will have to tell me if it does.
Emissions components are listed on the VECI label on the underside of
your hood: look for "EGR". Or you can look for the valve under and
behind the throttle body, or look on the vacuum diagram under the hood
for it. I would suspect the EGR valve is plugged (if you have one).

You need to check timing too. I almost always find timing out of spec
on OBDI Toyotas that fail our state's emissions inspection program.
Use a paperclip or whatever and short E1 to TE1 in the small black
diagnostic connector near the strut tower. Start the engine in park
with the A/C off. Make sure your check engine light is continuously
flashing about twice per second; any other behavior indicates a stored
code or you didn't jumper the terminals correctly. Check the timing
marks with a timing light. Adjust to 10 degrees BTDC (there's a large
raised mark on the timing belt cover for 10 degrees) by loosening the
two 12mm head ditributor holddown bolts and turning the distributor.
If you can't get the timing to adjust to 10 deg. within the slotted
adjustment range then the timing belt is probably one tooth off.

Toyota MDT in MO