90K maintenance due

A 94? 12 yrs old? get a manual and follow it , go to a mechanic the list is very extensive to keep your car safe. You realy need to learn this yourself and follow written guidlines.

Change the coolant, transmission, and fuel filter if you haven't in the last 30k.

Check your air filter and pcv valve and replace if necessary.

I did almost the same thing. Bought a '94 with 85k mi. The major service interval is 60k mi. and includes timing belt. Here are my notes from the servicing I did at 120,000 miles. Car runs flawlessly, wouldn't want to trade it for a brand new one. Major Servicing: 120,124 miles: Replace: timing belt, crankshaft oil seal, oil pump oil seal, oil pump O-ring, camshaft oil seal, idler bearing, idler tensioner bearing, timing cover gasket set, valve cover gasket, ck valve clearances, PCV valve, PCV valve grommet, oil cap gasket, distributor O-ring, distributor cap, rotor, distributor packing, spark plug wires, spark plugs, fuel filter, air filter, ck. battery, oil pan gasket, transmission pan gasket, water pump, thermostat, radiator cap, gas cap, differential service, engine moving control rod, accessory drive belts: power steering pump, A/C - alternator, alternator brushes, ck. chassis mounting bolt torque, set ignition timing

Thanks guys. To share it with you, a few hours back I paid a visit to Team Toyota over here. They have this $390 90K maintenance schedule which the guy showed to me. It had all the standard brakes, filters, spark plug and timing belt inspection. That covers what you say. However, there was one thing which drew my attention -- ENVIROLUTION ENGINE LIFE GUARD SYSTEM. Worth 100 bucks, the guy said that it is to clean up the dirt within the engine. They clean the dirt by connecting a machine to the engine which basically flushes out all the dirt. Any ideas ?

Kunal

That 390 is a rip off for what you mentioned, dealers are overpriced, forget the flush it can ruin a motor. You need to get a manual and learn yourself, here is a potential basic list, Flush brake fluid, brakes-rotors, Tires as after 5 years they go hard and slipery, cooling hoses, cooling flush, timing belt and water pump, alternator belt, thermostat [ toy only] wires cap and rotor [ Toy only] plugs, ck timing, engine, trans , differential oils and filters, air-fuel filter. Struts, battery. Only a few thousand $ , so find a fair priced mechanic or your dealer will charge you 4000 for all that

Sounds like a money making gimmick for the dealer to me. You could try auto-rx.com. Or, simply change the oil sooner a couple of times. Most important thing is to change the oil on a regular schedule.

I don't believe in engine oil flushes particularly, but if the brake fluid has not been changed, that would be a good idea, same for the power steering. Changing power steering fluid (think I paid the dealer around $80 for a power steering fluid flush at 85k mi., just after acquiring the vehicle) can save very expensive repairs later on (steering rack $1200?). After that initial expense, just made a point to change the fluid in the reservoir regularly. Had a Mercedes before the Camry, and they actually had a replaceable pleated paper filter element in the power steering reservoir.

The powersteering fluid is a good idea, remember read the cap yours probably takes Trans fluid, I just use a meat baister and use mobil synthetic trans fluid, same in differential and trans.

Thanks guys :) Will update you

kunal

Sounds like a lot of work. May be worth it though. I have a 97 V6 Camry with about 95,000 miles and have done next to no maintenance, except for 1) regular oil changes 2) one radiator flush (only because a hose had a leak) 3) air filter (first time earlier this year) 4) I do check fluid levels but never have replaced any.

But it still runs like a champ. It's a Toyota.

Joe

Well Joe you are just at the point for hoses, belts, Plug wires, etc etc, basic stuff to keep you from being stranded or blowing a motor.

Hi, I got that 90K maintenance and inspections done from TeamToyota over here in Langhorne. Cost me $250. However, the results are pretty devastating to me. Their recommendations go as follows:-

1.) Right Side Axle 2.) Front and top motor mounts 3.) Timing and Drive Belts 4.) Cam and Crank seals 5.) Valve cover gasket 6.) Driver window motor and regulator 7.) High pressure power steering line 8.) Oil filter Housing O Ring 9.) Front and Rear Struts and mounts

The guy says all this would take at least a few thousands. What i am wondering is, even if all his recommendations are correct, is it still possible to drive the vehicle safely without correcting these problems? at least there should be a few things. Can you guys help me identify those. Also, a few of the things when opened up for correction, reduces labour for other maintenance items e.g. Replacing the Cam and Crank seals should be easy if I am already doing the timing belts. Can you guys think of any such more things ?

So you paid them $250 already but what did they do? Just give you an estimate, details please.

1. They said replace an axle but nothing about the cv boots?
2. Only if they are broken or the engine is shaking.
3. I would do these
4. cam seals and any seals on the timing belts side of engine, including #8
5. probably good idea
6. I guess cause its broken?
7. Leaks are common here
8. See number 4
9. I put new fronts on at 140,000 miles, wait a while, rears are original with 205,000 miles!

250 gee , I never pay on an estimate what a bunch of crooks. 1 Do you have vibration, its not balancing or the CV or tire and what about the boot, axles rarely go bad. 2 are they broke 3 yes good idea 4 wait small leaks are normal 5 small leaks are no issue 6 is window bad, usualy its the motor or regulator 7 small leaks no issue if you keep oil up 8 get second opinion 9 possibly but mounts?

You need a second opinion , a free one. More likely trans drain and filter, cooling hoses and flush use distilled water, Wires cap rotor plugs, use Toy cap and wires. Belts, tire balance, Those guys are crooks, go to a regular shop Toy dealer prtices are always overpriced

Thanks guys. For the $250, they inspected the CV boots, joints, axles, timing and drive belts and associated components, drain and refilled the auto transmission fluid (Mine was not so bad so went for a drain and refill instead of a flush), battery ends servicing, air filter servicing, oil change, inspection of the exhaust systems, brakes inspection and inspected all fluids. BTW, I found out why they recommended that right side axle to be replaced. As per them, it makes a clicking sound while driving and hence probably some joint was loose. Ryan (the guy there) said that the axle was the most important and that I should get it replaced. And yes, some more goof-ups from them. They accepted that the auto transmission fluid was overfilled. And besides that today, when I got that fixed, those buggers removed the driver side button panel (the small panel on the door). The repair guy had completely removed it with the interior metals and wiring showing and the worst part was that he did not have the guts to even accept that he had fiddled with it. It was not like I was going to sue him or something over such a small thing. I have had a pretty bad experience at TeamToyota over here. I had developed a good feeling about those guys especially after comparing their service charges with another Toyota dealer.

Don't know if you're interested, but between high prices and mistakes, I've learned to do all my own work (apart from computerized four wheel alignment). Last time I went in for alignment, it was already fine, but I got a list of service requirements something like yours, and of course, they charged me for the alignment around $80, but the before and after printouts were virtually identical. Since I was already planning to do the timing belt and oil seals, I had those items covered. More recently, I bought an air gun, a 30mm impact socket for the axle nut, along with a tie rod end puller and a Toyota remanufactured axle. The dealer had the part number (passenger side axle) off by one digit (98-2000 Solara) and priced apx. $100 higher than my Internet source. But shipping back the core was a problem so I explained their earlier error to the Parts Manager and he met the lower price and even waived the core charge. Using the Factory Service Manual, the process actually was not very difficult at all. A prior mechanic had replaced the axle boots once for the prior owner, and during the work, I found errors that I corrected. According to the prior owner's receipts, a Toyota dealer in another city replaced the timing belt the first time, and when I did that work, I found errors there also that I corrected. If you take your time and have the right tools and information, it can be interesting doing your own work. Personally, I never feel comfortable pushing a car to its limits until I've been over it mechanically myself. Since I plan to use the air gun and tie rod end puller only very infrequently, I bought them at Harbor Freight. Worked perfectly. BTW, the air compressor (5 gallon dual tank) was $99 at Kragen and has worked just great. (acquired to blow out passages in the throttle body when replacing IAC valve - good thing too, because after using solvent and cleaning with the compressed air I discovered some of the vacuum ports to the EGR modulator were obstructed)