95 Corolla issues

[loomdog32]

I was given a 95 rolla (110k miles) that my mom bought new.. It overheated, blew the radiator, and it was towed the the house. It had been sitting there for about a year..

I jumped the car, it started right up.. let it idle for about 10-15 mins (in the heat of the day approx 110 here) with the ac on (thats still kinda cool) and it didnt overheat.. I put a temp patch (marine putty) on the hole on top of the radiator till i replace it (should happen in the next 2-3 weeks)..

NOW, for the WIERD part.. When I checked the engine oil (from the dip stick), it looked like there was a quart of tranny fuild dumped into it (would surprise me if my mom saw it low on oil and put tranny fluid in it thinking it was oil) and it smelled like gas.. When I changed the oil, it was DEEP DARK PURPLE!!! I tried to take a pic of it, but the surface was too reflective (in the pic, the oil looked like a mirror)..

The car will be a daily driver for my gf.. She posted this: http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t146348.html

It also has a wierd vibration while idling (can feel it strongly in the steering wheel and pedals).. as soon as the rpm rise a little, it stops.. Thats the only mechanical issues that I can find with the vehicle.. all in all its a sound car (stinks like a wet dog tho)..

[karazy]

Are you sure it isn't Royal Purple oil? The car has been sitting for a year and the battery is dead. Things are not going to run smoothly under these conditions. The gas is probably stale. If the tank is low just top it up and put a cleaning additive in it . If it's full, there are additives that are supposed to revive old gas. I would also pull the plugs to make sure they are not rusted or fouled. While your at it, have a look at the vacuum lines to make sure that they are not cracked and leaking.

[loomdog32]

I am familiar with royal purple products, and what came out of the engine defiently was not royal purple motor oil..

I probably shouldve said what I did with the gas.. Here is the COMPLETE story on this vehicle...

My mother bought it new in early 96 (with less than 10 miles on it and yes its a 95 - nothing better than getting a new car at a used car price).. While under warrenty it had all the service done on it at the dealer on schedule.. After warrenty, I did most of the work on the vehicle until I moved out of state a couple years ago.. The only major repair I can remember doing on the car is a wheel bearings in the front (dont remember what the part is called, but the bearing is part of it).. The keyless entry has always been a little wacky (seems like something was blocking the sensor) and progesssly got worse..

About a year ago, she called me, saying that the car overheated and she had it towed home. Without looking at the vehicle, I told her that is was probably a blown head gasket or cracked block. She bought another vehicle and the rolla sat in the driveway untouched..

Last week, she asked me if I wanted the vehicle and I dediced to take it. When I looked at the car, There was a crack in the top of the radiator about 1-2 inches long and no water in the oil.. All the belts and hoses appeared to be ok.. The oil has a red tent to it (looked like a quart of tranny fuild was in it) and kinda smelled like gas.. I filled up the radiator with tap water.. There was about 1/2 tank of gas.. It still had a strong gas smell (I mean, pull off the cap and you could smell it standing a couple feet away from the car).. I pulled the caps off the battery and checked the water level and it appeared to be ok.. I jumped the car and it started with no problems. I let it run for about 10-15 mins.. Checked the water in the rad, no oil.. the engine temp showed in the middle of the gauge with the needle just under the icon.. for reference, it has been around 110 here for the past week.

The tires appeared to be ok, the rear passenger tire was a little low.. I took off the tires and checked the brakes.. They appeared to be ok for now, but will need to be changed in the next month or so.. I drove the car to a gas station (it had been running long enough that I didnt need to jump it this time), filled up the tire, and I put in a bottle of fuel treatment and filled up the tank with 91 octone.. Drove it for about 10-15 mins with the ac on.. The temp never changed.. The only thing I noticed was the vibration while stopped with the tranny in gear..

When I got home, I changed the motor oil in the car.. When it came out it was a deep dark purple (not royal purple motor oil).. I used a high detergent/high mileage 10w/30 oil.. I also put a temp patch (marine putty) on the rad till I can replace it..

2 lights were out (rear driverside marker light and front driverside marker light).. I changed both those bulbs.. All the electronics in the car seem to be operating correctly except for the keyless entry..

I pulled the plugs and inspected them (I shouldve done that before I drove it the first time, doh).. They appeared to be ok.. I know I changed them in that car approx 20-30k miles ago..

I drove the car today for 200+ miles (yes I did add it to my insurance before driving it today).. There were only 2 problems I could find while driving it today.
1 - With the Tranny in gear and the car stopped, it had the bad vibration (as noted in my origional post)
2 - The fender well one the front passenger side is rubbing against the tire.. I already checked it and it looked like the plastic pin that holds it down came loose..

Is there anything else that I should check?? The vehicle appears to be in great shape mechanically and still has decent acceleration.. But that vibration is dring me nuts

[Piloter]

That kind of vibration is almost certainly the motor mounts with this gen. If you can put it in neutral (try at a red light) and the vibration stops, you've got your answer. The transmission mount is especially suspect, but if one's going, the rest are probably due for replacement as well. Now might be the chance to go with some homemade polyurethane mounts made out of the old ones, if you can live without the car for a couple days while the resin cures and if you can borrow an engine hoist for a bit. It'll be a lot cheaper than getting new mounts, that's for sure...

[thespud]

I second the tranny mount for vibration.

As for any mechanical issues - these engines are practically bullet proof. If it werent for the fact that i had warped the head of the old engine and siezed it completely when it overheated the second time, i would probably still be driving with that engine. I know at least 2 or 3 that have just put new water and new rad in and they still run like new...

But welcome to the world of a 95 Corolla. The weakest link is the radiator - Be weary of it...

[loomdog32]

Is there any place that anyone would recommend to get the mounts?? At the local napa, they wanted $150, $40, $160, and $90 for the mounts. Dont remember which price to which mount, except the first 2 are engine and the last 2 are tranny and that they were special order items (except for the expensive engine mount)..

They also quoted me $170 for a new rad.. When giving me the price for the rad, they said there was 2 sizes?? 27.5" (the most common, according to napa and also what they carry in stock) and a 25"..

I would perfer to stay away from the homemade stuff, as my gf will mostly be driving the car and I dont want to take any chances with that..

[Piloter]

I second bulletproof engines. =) The mount prices are about what you'll find everywhere, really. www.rockauto.com might have them for a little cheaper (they're a /great/ parts source).

Should you want to go the homemade route, the search function will turn up a few good guides.