going on a trip with my corolla - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

jelly53 · 03-15-2011, 09:26 PM

this coming weekened i will be going to florida, the place is about 350 miles away. my 97 corolla has 165000 miles and its currently in good shape. i was wondering should i check anything or do anything to the car before i go on this trip? the last thing i want is to be stuck at a highway in the middle of nowhere. i will be changing the coolant and also bought 2 cans of techron fuel system cleaner.
thanks

ganda1f · 03-16-2011, 03:25 PM

When is the last time you changed timing belt and tensioner? They should be changed every 60k miles so last time would be at 120k miles. Other than that you should be fine. Just do take the usual stuff with you, engine oil, some coolant and brake fluid.

I would not bother with the fuel system cleaner prior to the trip. Potentially it could just loosen up some gunk that might clog your injectors.

jelly53 · 03-16-2011, 08:18 PM

hmm well i got the car when it had 134000 miles. so far i have replaced the clutch, full tune up, and replaced both of the O2 sensors. Thats about it, i'm not sure if the timing belt was changed or not.

jelly53 · 03-16-2011, 09:30 PM

a noob question, if i removed the valve cover and turned the upper pulley to see for wear signs on belt, would that mess up the timing?

ganda1f · 03-17-2011, 12:37 AM

Do *NOT* turn the engine by turning the sprocket on the camshaft. You would be using the timing belt to rotate the engine. You can, however, turn the engine clockwise by the crankshaft pulley bolt, with the valve cover off, in order to inspect the timing belt throughout its full length.
That will not mess up the timing. This is exactly what happens when the engine is operating, the crankshaft drives the camshaft sprocket through the timing belt.
But, if the timing belt has not been changed at 120k, then you are *way* overdue and running on borrowed time. The 4AFE engine is non-interference so a timing belt failure will not destroy the head, but will definitely leave you stranded.

I know that at around 90k the timing belt squeals a bit and the tensioner rattles but that is quite difficult to hear if you do not know exactly what to listen for. Do not confuse it with squeals from the accessory belt for alternator, water pump, which are horribly loud in comparison.

jelly53 · 03-17-2011, 02:41 PM

would i be able to access the crank pulley from the top? or do I have to raise the car and remove the wheel? thanks

ganda1f · 03-18-2011, 02:59 AM

If you remove the spark plugs, you *might* be able to turn the engine by hand, grabbing the water pump pulley and alternator pulley. Otherwise, the wheel has to come off and there is a hole in the splash guard that is covered by a piece of plastic that you would have to take out (just clips) to access the crank pulley bolt.

If you have the valve cover off anyway, you could also take off the top and middle part of the timing belt cover and perhaps feel the tensioner for play. That might be difficult though without removing the wheel and splash guard.