[willdogs]

Hey All!
I recently found this site after looking for some help with my Matrix steering wheel center emblem fading and figured I would share some photos of my 2003 XRS.

Here are some more Photos

I purchased the car from my buddy for $3000 cash, he had it sitting in his garage unused for about 8 months and I needed a second car to haul stuff and carry my newborn baby in.

(My other car is a 2007 G35x sedan)


Mileage currently sits at only 102,100 miles, I picked it up just 2 weeks ago with 101,500 miles.


I've been a busy bee with it, freshening it up has been my new addiction! List of items done to it in the last two weeks

• New Touch Screen DVD Headunit
• Rear backup camera
• USB charging ports center console
• New LED Lighting inside/outside
• Replace worn window switches Driver/Passenger
• Replace Worn door handles rear
• Deep clean interior including headliner
• Valve Cover Gasket Replaced
• Engine cleaned and shined
• New front wheel bearings
• New Radiator Cap
• Clutch and Brake foot rubber replaced
• Oil Change
• Front bumper flares sanded and painted (many chips)
• 3 Wipers Replaced
• Spark Plugs Replaced
• New PCV Valve
• New Cabin Air Filter
• New Engine Filter
• New Dimmer Interior light switch
• Window Tint (20%)

Items to do in the next couple of weeks

• 4 new tires
• Detail the exterior to rejuvenate the paint

All in all I am in love with how this car drives! Very high revving and fun!


Question -

I have an oil leak somewhere ad can't seem to narrow it down. Reading through this forum i've checked and replaced the valve cover gasket and the next step is the timing belt tensioner (on order). Could it possibly be the Timing Cover seal? My mechanic took a look and he thinks that it can in-fact be the timing cover which looks like a pain in the rear to change! (and expensive!)
its a slow seep/leak and not really that concerned right now, but I have a bit of OCD about having a leak free engine and it's always on my mind lol. I like my engines to be 100% clean!
Anyway, has anyone else seen the timing cover seal need replacing? How difficult is it?

Thanks!:grin:

 

[StockCorollaLE]

Looks good! Are you sure it's still leaking oil after changing the valve cover gasket? How are you verifying the leak is still there? Oil on the ground?

Here is a thread with links to more threads about the timing chain cover http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/1...2-05-corolla-oil-leak-timing-chain-cover.html

 

[hardtopte72]

You should be arrested for absolutely stealing that car. That thing is immaculate and for 3K, you can't beat it.

As for your leak, replace the tensioner o-ring and recheck. For the timing cover, you have to remove the engine. The repair manual says you can do it in car, but it's not possible. Specifically, one came to my dealership for a timing cover and after trying to remove it in car, the engine came out.

 

[willdogs]

Looks good! Are you sure it's still leaking oil after changing the valve cover gasket? How are you verifying the leak is still there? Oil on the ground?

Here is a thread with links to more threads about the timing chain cover http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/1...2-05-corolla-oil-leak-timing-chain-cover.html

Thanks for the link!

After replacing the VCG, i cleaned the whole area behind, in front and side of the engine as best I could. Even removed both front tires and hit the engine with degreaser and power washer. The engine was now squeaky clean from top to bottom.

Drove for a few days and I now see a seepage of oil (very slow) below the area of the timing chain tensioner, but the tensioner itself is bone dry all around, it looks like it is coming from just under it right at the timing chain cover seam. Unfortunatly I couldn't get this area 100% clean since its in a tough spot so this weekend I hope to try getting in there again to clean and re-inspect.

 

[willdogs]

You should be arrested for absolutely stealing that car. That thing is immaculate and for 3K, you can't beat it.

As for your leak, replace the tensioner o-ring and recheck. For the timing cover, you have to remove the engine. The repair manual says you can do it in car, but it's not possible. Specifically, one came to my dealership for a timing cover and after trying to remove it in car, the engine came out.

LOL thanks!

Yea I don't think it's the tensioner but I ordered one anyway and will replace. For the price, why not? I'll see how it goes after.

I attacched some photos to help better explain, the dark oily area is the area that I couldn't clean too well, but the whole area back that used to look like that before degreasing.

Maybe i'll stop looking at it everyday like a madman and check on it after a week or two to see where it's actually building up. Good news is that the oil level isn't dropping so whatever it is, its a very slow leak/seep

 

[hardtopte72]

LOL thanks!

Yea I don't think it's the tensioner but I ordered one anyway and will replace. For the price, why not? I'll see how it goes after.

I attacched some photos to help better explain, the dark oily area is the area that I couldn't clean too well, but the whole area back that used to look like that before degreasing.

Maybe i'll stop looking at it everyday like a madman and check on it after a week or two to see where it's actually building up. Good news is that the oil level isn't dropping so whatever it is, its a very slow leak/seep

That looks more like a cover but it's tough to say. With the price you paid, engine removal would still be worth it.

 

[75aces]

Nice grab for the steal. It is possible that the VCG didn't seal enough area. Clean the area again and see if there's a trail of oil gravitating towards the ground.