'03 Camry 100k Self-service

[fkoehler]

Hi All, was hoping to get some advice or tips for a major service I want to do on my '03 XLE 4 with 100k. Was bought Cert. Pre-owned with 48k 2 years ago.

Car has had regular service every 3-6k mile at the quick-lube or Pep Boys in town. Primary driving was ~90 mile commute every day. Oil usually stays fresh looking for quite a while, don't seem to burn any as it stays level.

I was going to replace the spark plugs initially due to some off timbre idling, however returned them once I realized OEM are supposedly good for 120k.

My current plan is to do the following, in this order:

NAPA/WIX airfilter, done.

Seafoaming at 1/3 bottle for intake, 1/3 fuel.
I am concerned that with 100k, there will be a lot of build-up and don't want to screw anything up like valves and such with excessive crud.
After seafoam, throw 1/3 into crank tomorrow and run it for a week or two.

PCV valve replacement.

Change oil to castrol GTX High Mileage, with Mobil 1 filter.

ATF is looking rather sad, so will change with Found Castrol Import ATF T-IV at Autozone for $3.99/qt. Aside from draining on a incline, not sure how to get a real flush of most of the fluid except by doing this a couple of times via dilution. Any tried the seafoam for transmission?

Change the serpentine belt.

Would like to replace the brake fluid, however haven't done this and not sure how to do this for someone with just some stands and wrenches.
Can I bleed each wheel while adding fluid to the resevoir until it comes out clear, and then move to the next one? Unless the dealer changed this before selling as Pre-Cert, then it is original.

Anything else I should consider?

Thanks

[touringcamry]

The method you described for changing the brake fluid is correct. Just do one wheel at a time and top off the reservoir as necessary. Highly doubt the dealer changed it prior to to selling as CPO since there's no maintenance schedule for it.

Another thing to consider is perhaps changing the power steering fluid. Just use a turkey baster or other type of pump to suck out the old fluid and then top off with new fluid. Repeat several times and all the fluid will be replaced eventually. Just make sure the fluid level stays above the hoses. You don't want air in the system.

You may want to change the cabin air filter also. It's located behind the glove box.

[fkoehler]

Thanks for the reply. I should be able to bleed them this week.
Is the first photo here still the preferred way for DIY?
http://preview.tinyurl.com/27hfbr

And, thanks for the info on the PS, will do that also. Is just running the car and turning the wheel back and forth to stops several times good enough to do this in 30 minutes or should I drive a while between each dilution?

Thanks again.


PS. The seafoam reminds me of my father's stories of doing similar with kerosene back in the day.

Originally Posted by touringcamry

The method you described for changing the brake fluid is correct. Just do one wheel at a time and top off the reservoir as necessary. Highly doubt the dealer changed it prior to to selling as CPO since there's no maintenance schedule for it.

Another thing to consider is perhaps changing the power steering fluid. Just use a turkey baster or other type of pump to suck out the old fluid and then top off with new fluid. Repeat several times and all the fluid will be replaced eventually. Just make sure the fluid level stays above the hoses. You don't want air in the system.

You may want to change the cabin air filter also. It's located behind the glove box.

[touringcamry]

I used a 1 man bleeder kit from Autozone but that looks fine. One 32oz bottle of fluid is just enough for the job.

Also note the power steering system uses Dexron III not the stuff labeled power steering fluid. I used to do it once every oil change until I went through about 1.5 qts IIRC. If the fluid is yellowish or brownish, the fluid from the factory is Dex III without the dye.

[fkoehler]

Cool, I would have thrown PS fluid in there. Will check AZ for the bleeder.

Originally Posted by touringcamry

I used a 1 man bleeder kit from Autozone but that looks fine. One 32oz bottle of fluid is just enough for the job.

Also note the power steering system uses Dexron III not the stuff labeled power steering fluid. I used to do it once every oil change until I went through about 1.5 qts IIRC. If the fluid is yellowish or brownish, the fluid from the factory is Dex III without the dye.