Hello From The Beast and Myself!

[emmyfray]

Hello my fellow Toyota fans! Just popped in here to connect with folks and maybe gather some advice here and there.
I've been driving a 1990 Toyota Corolla for about four years now. Best darn car I've ever had. Lately folks have been urging me to get rid of it but I'd much rather cling to it and fix it up. I've seen one too many Corollas and/or Camrys out there that are around the same year as mine looking great and flying 80 MPH down the highway to give up on my little can. She's got spunk! Now, I'm not entirely car savvy but I do have common sense when it comes to taking things apart and putting them back together (and mechanic friends to help) so basically I want to be in touch with other '90 Corolla owners who know what they're capable of to maybe give me a few tips as to how I keep this thing running. (after that maybe I'll start bothering with body work)

I'm thinking timing belt and spark plugs are at the top of my list. That and finding a catalytic converter because someone at some point in time decided to just rip it out and put a straight pipe through instead... Perhaps that's why my exhaust goes out once a year (in that general area)?

P.S. Forgive me for not posting this in the "Introduce Yourself Here" forum. At least I sort of asked a question about my car =)

[kwint]

Welcome

A helm's manual will go a long way. The stock 4afe is pretty tough as is. Just maintain it. I've had mine for a year and only had to replace an alternator but that was my fault.

Don't forget, water pump, tensioner, spark plug wires, distributor cap and rotor, and a fuel filter. Check suspension parts for wear, replace all fluids. GL

[NZAE92]

Welcome to Toyota Nation.

I drive a 1990 Corolla also and they are great cars, but i have the carburetor engine the 4AF not the fuel injected model like yours

Kwint has posted all the easy things to keep your car very well maintained.

Also,
if you get stumped by anything or are having problems with something on your corolla there are many people who frequent this site, so if you post a thread like this one you should get a reply quickly .

These corollas live forever and i mean that mine has done around 290k kilometers and is still running fine.

Enjoy Your corolla and Enjoy the forums and meeting new people.

If you wanna talk about mods that can be done to your particular engine Just send me a Private message, I'm more than happy to help other fellow corolla owners

Have fun
Greg

P.S: sorry bout the long post

[Blof-fan]

Welcome and good to see you are enjoying your Corolla.
They are fun to drive indeed. Not the fasted thing around, but fast enough

The 4A-FE is a pretty bulletproof engine. As said: If you maintain it propperly, it will last for years and thousands of miles.
The 4A-FE in my Corolla Hatchback has run almost 400.000km's (That's almost 250.000 miles) and it hasn't missed a beat.
It went on a dyno with 370.000km and it still produced 105hp as it should according to Toyota. That's quite something after almost 20 years and so much km's!

If you want to know more about the AE92, take a look at my site. That car has a different engine, but there should be some thing there that might be interessting to you: http://www.corollaae92gts.nl

[emmyfray]

Thanks to everyone for the warm welcomes! I look forward to having you wonderful folks advise me in "the art of Corolla maintenance"!

[patcal]

Hell, my 90 Sedan is a baby at only 145,000 miles. Not to pretty but I do the best I can. Just keeps on plugging.

Pat

[ayang951]

welcome and yes the corolla is a awesome car, but if its power you want, and you want it reliable power, then swap the motor out. there are many types of motors you can put into the car, but if you just want a nice commuter then just keep 4afe.