New Solara owner - many questions ... help!!

[D A V E]

Hello everyone...

I just purchased a 2000 Solara SLE v6 (green/tan leather). It does have (ahem) 327,000 miles ... but overall, it is in pretty good condition ... but have a few questions about making it last as long as possible - 1-2 years would be great!

One caveat before reading: I am no mechanic, in fact ZERO mechanical ability ... so please be gentle and dumb it down for me!!

1) There is a banging sound coming from the rear - I assume it has something to do with the suspension. It sounds like there is something loose and hitting metal. I read that it may be the sway bar bushings ... I have also read that the strut mounts may be so worn that there are free-floating parts just banging around.


2) The car has been on full synthetic oil and I want to keep it that way. I have read that Mobil 1 and Royal Purple are good brands. Any thoughts on using either with 327,000 miles?? Should I be looking at only using a "high mileage" synthetic...and what weight?? I believe that the oil cap reads 5w30. Also, any recommendation for oil filter?


3) Seafoam - I personally love the stuff - used it in other cars but only in the fuel. Has anyone used this stuff in the engine oil and "vacuum" line for the intake?? I was thinking of seafoaming before the tune up (below).


4) Tune up ... the previous owner mentioned she was going to have it done. What should I be looking for when having someone do a tune up?
I was going to have the spark plugs replaced when the tune up is done. Reading one thread mention Denso double platinums (P/N PK20TR11) as well as a new wire set (Denso OK??). Is it good idea to do all this at the same time??


I do not mind spending some money in keeping this car running for a while ... I already know that the plugs and wires will be about $100, tune up about $250, oil change $60 ... are there any other "crucial" recommendations that you can think of that would be money well spent??


Any and all thoughts, ideas, concerns are very welcomed and appreciated!!!


Thanks in advance,

Dave

[D A V E]

Wow....47 views and no replies??? Come on guys....throw me a bone here!! Seriously, I just want to do everything I can to get as much life from this car as I can!!

[dug320]

You answered so many of your own questions.

1. Yes, it probably s the strut mount. Do you know the age of the struts? I use quick struts, everything is done and it is a simple swap.

2. Any synthetic will do at 5w 30. Your choice. I would watch the oil levels. Synthetic does not produce smoke typical in a blown engine.

3.Seafoam is great and simple with the vacuum line. Just detach the line, pour 1/4 into a container and have a running engine suck it up. Seafoam before the oil change.

4. Desno is Toyota. Just replace with factory level components. Tuneups are a misnomer. Plugs and airfilter and fluid level checks are typical tuneups.


I hope you got a complete service record for this car. You could easily pump double the car value with a few relatively simple repairs.

To save money you should learn to do as much yourself (ie oil change, brakes, struts).

Go to solaraguy.com

[D A V E]

Hey dug320 ... thanks! Do you have any recommendation for the quick struts you mentioned?? If I go that route...do they include the mounts as well??

Dave

Originally Posted by dug320

You answered so many of your own questions.

1. Yes, it probably s the strut mount. Do you know the age of the struts? I use quick struts, everything is done and it is a simple swap.

2. Any synthetic will do at 5w 30. Your choice. I would watch the oil levels. Synthetic does not produce smoke typical in a blown engine.

3.Seafoam is great and simple with the vacuum line. Just detach the line, pour 1/4 into a container and have a running engine suck it up. Seafoam before the oil change.

4. Desno is Toyota. Just replace with factory level components. Tuneups are a misnomer. Plugs and airfilter and fluid level checks are typical tuneups.


I hope you got a complete service record for this car. You could easily pump double the car value with a few relatively simple repairs.

To save money you should learn to do as much yourself (ie oil change, brakes, struts).

Go to solaraguy.com

[Eye8Pussies]

^ they do- they are entire complete assemblies (from monroe) designed to let you remove the old components in its entirety and then just replace the whole strut/spring/strut mount assembly in one shot without the need for additional tools like a spring compressor

[dug320]

Amazon.com has them and the prices are good.

Quick struts include everything (strut, coil, bushing, bearing and anything I forgot). Nothing other than a swap of the entire unit.

If you do the rears I suggest you replace the rear stabilizers. You can get them online or from a local parts place.

[D A V E]

Originally Posted by dug320

Amazon.com has them and the prices are good.

Quick struts include everything (strut, coil, bushing, bearing and anything I forgot). Nothing other than a swap of the entire unit.

If you do the rears I suggest you replace the rear stabilizers. You can get them online or from a local parts place.

I did indeed get them from Amazon - one side was $156 the other $154...and bought the stabilizers as well...$22 a piece I think.

Going to have them installed next weekend by a mechanic friend.

Thanks again!!!