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I bought a used 92 toyota corolla

A

astroview

Golden Member
I was planning on doing an oil change and flushing the coolant/antifreeze.

But what other mechanical things need to be done?

I was thinking that a new battery, hoses, belts, air fliter, spark plugs, air conditioner recharge would be in order.

I've been told a water pump is cheap to buy and replace too.

The tires are ok and the brakes a year old. What else can I do thats relatively cheap but good for the car?

The car doesn't appear to need any transmission work.

There is a bit of rust on one sidepanel near the tire, should I sandpaper it off and primer/repaint that area?
 
Let them break first!

If you planned on spending this much time/effort/money on it, you should have gotten a car in better condition in the first place!
 
A 1992 shouldn't need any work, aside from your typical bi-yearly changables (air filter, plugs, oil). If it sat for a long time over earth then you may need to replace the oil pan... that's about it.
 
I guess I want it to be a project car. Also the price I paid for it was very low since its a family friend selling it who just sold it to get new tires on his other car.
 
Originally posted by: astroview
I guess I want it to be a project car. Also the price I paid for it was very low since its a family friend selling it who just sold it to get new tires on his other car.
Click to expand...

Aren't project cars usually early era muscle cars and really old cruisers/roadsters.......?
 
Depending on milage of the car, one thing that would be wise to replace is the timing belt. A broken timing belt can destroy the motor real fast and they aren't that expensive. That's assuming it's a "fan belt" type of timing belt instead of a metal chain type belt. I'm guessing a 92 Corolla would have the 18R or 22R engine in it which are both good motors that should be pretty trouble free with basic maintenance. And if you're planning on replacing the water pump you're already halfway or more to accessing the timing belt. Good luck with it.

Cheers,

Dirk
 
Project as in I want to learn more about cars, and I want to have a car again. I supposed I should have said starter/fixer-upper car. It's been a while since I owned and drove a car.

Muscle cars, while cool, won't mean much if I can't do anything on them.
 
Originally posted by: newbiepcuser
check:

Alternator*sp
Timing belt
stock cd/radio to cd mp3 player
windshield wipers
Click to expand...

Do that right away if that should snap it could take out your entire engine.
If you have one belt that runs everything (Alt, PS, WP, ETC) then replace that too for if it snaps it may not run your water pump anymore causing the car to overheat and break the engine. If you have one belt that runs each seperate then the timming belt may run the WP so make sure to have your water pump replaced at the same time as the belt. If you dont and the pump goes you will be paying all theat labor again for them to tear it all down so spend the extra cash at that point and have it changed its only going to cost a few more dollars.

Then just all the fluids oil, rad, and tranny and then like everyone else wait for stuff to break but its a Toyota so the body is going to fall off first though 😛

EDIT damnit vanman you beat me to it!
 
I'm not sure I would replace anything besides the oil and air filter. Check everything. Drive it a while and make sure there are no major problems. Nothing sucks worse than spending your budget on part that are not needed and then having a major part fail. After it proves itself reliable I would replace wear items starting with the timing belt/ water pump, plugs, belts, and hoses.
 
Originally posted by: astroview
Thanks guys, I love ATOT. Now to figure out how to get the rust off. Anything beats not studying for finals 😉
Click to expand...

Sand it and hit it with a moisture curing primer like POR15 then paint.
 
Originally posted by: funboy42
Originally posted by: newbiepcuser
check:

Alternator*sp
Timing belt
stock cd/radio to cd mp3 player
windshield wipers
Click to expand...

Do that right away if that should snap it could take out your entire engine.
If you have one belt that runs everything (Alt, PS, WP, ETC) then replace that too for if it snaps it may not run your water pump anymore causing the car to overheat and break the engine. If you have one belt that runs each seperate then the timming belt may run the WP so make sure to have your water pump replaced at the same time as the belt. If you dont and the pump goes you will be paying all theat labor again for them to tear it all down so spend the extra cash at that point and have it changed its only going to cost a few more dollars.

Then just all the fluids oil, rad, and tranny and then like everyone else wait for stuff to break but its a Toyota so the body is going to fall off first though 😛

EDIT damnit vanman you beat me to it!
Click to expand...

I don't think the Corolla engine is an interference engine. It would be annoying being stuck but IIRC it isn't going to damage the engine.

It may be though. I'll look.
 
Originally posted by: QuitBanningMe
Originally posted by: funboy42
Originally posted by: newbiepcuser
check:

Alternator*sp
Timing belt
stock cd/radio to cd mp3 player
windshield wipers
Click to expand...

Do that right away if that should snap it could take out your entire engine.
If you have one belt that runs everything (Alt, PS, WP, ETC) then replace that too for if it snaps it may not run your water pump anymore causing the car to overheat and break the engine. If you have one belt that runs each seperate then the timming belt may run the WP so make sure to have your water pump replaced at the same time as the belt. If you dont and the pump goes you will be paying all theat labor again for them to tear it all down so spend the extra cash at that point and have it changed its only going to cost a few more dollars.

Then just all the fluids oil, rad, and tranny and then like everyone else wait for stuff to break but its a Toyota so the body is going to fall off first though 😛

EDIT damnit vanman you beat me to it!
Click to expand...

I don't think the Corolla engine is an interference engine. It would be annoying being stuck but IIRC it isn't going to damage the engine.

Edit: Yep the 4A-FE is a non interference engine.
Click to expand...
 
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