99 Corolla 5-speed
 

Hi all,

I have the opportunuty to get my hands on a free 4dr 5-speed. Just what to know what type of mileage I can expect out of it. Sure it needs some things but..........

How much air should I put in the tires. In my Civic VX I was running 44PSI. I saw a post on an 05 where the owner was running 50psi or so.

This is going to be my first Toyota. I've alway had Honda's & a Miata. All the guys say good things about Honda's & Toyota's. Anyone have any good links?

Thanks,
Dave:turtle:

Pretty good car. Taking it easy and just cruising I'd say upper 30s, maybe lower 40s. Does it have the 1.6 or 1.8L engine? My sister's 95 Celica had the 1.8 and I think I still managed 40 without too much trouble.

Good cars, easy to work on. Cheap parts, too.

Be sure to check:

The water pump housing has a hose connected in the rear. It is not usually replaced by people or mechanics because they don't know it's there.

The exhaust manifolds crack a lot. Remove the shielding and inspect. It's a cheap fix.

do you not have the vx anymore?

If I were him, even if he still had the VX, I'd take a free corolla in slight disrepair any day to nurse back to health and send it on its way for a slight profit. Just like nayeliesuncle said: Good cars, easy to work on. Cheap parts, too.

That's great news Daox, thanks! I'm getting it tonight, I'll find out what size engine is in it!

If nothing else it'll make a good dependable winter car.:thumbup:

Dave

It was stolen & stripped. Engine, trans, hood, fenders, doors, & all the steel lines were hacked. I just gave the tittle to the Cleveland impound yard #7

I put your posts on your front bumper mods in my favorites. I was going to try my hand at your renovation. Great idea w/ material & finished product:thumbup:

VX is sadly missed,
Dave

I didn't want it to end like this.:mad:

These cars are great. If I could get mine brand new, I would buy it over just about any car out there. You can expect between 40 and 45 during the summer, no sweat.
I run my tires 50+ PSI all year, no issues.
And going with the 5 speed is the only option.

Really, only a 5-speed offering? I like that! 50 PSI, OK that'll work for me than too!:D:

Thanks again for your info. BTW, my friend replaced his car w/ an 02. Same 5-speed & roll up windows. Gold color.

Dave:thumbup:

Nice car. You can't go wrong with those.

My 44-psi-rated tires are down to 60 now after a couple months of neglect. ;) 27,000 miles like that and they're doing just fine.

I've got a 95, same generation. I have a repair manual somewhere, let me know if there's any way I can help.

What I meant by 5 speed being the only way to go is that there are automatic offerings for that year, but the 5 speed manual is the most desired transmission. Sorry for the confusion. I am pretty sure that is the generation prior to mine and the engine doesn't have VVT-i, but you can still get great mileage from it, so I would go for it unless it's going to cost a ton to repair it.

Well, got the car last night. I was wrong, it's a 99 & like in a Silver. It has 233,893 miles. Uses some oil, but I'm not complaining about anything. It's the newest car I own. Haven't made it to the 21st century yet!:p

Needs new front rotors for sure. Clutch is still not slipping but the pedal is way up. I can over rev in the 2-3 shift, & really trying hard not too, but no chatter at all. Shock or struts are original. But newer Battery & starter. Tires still have lots of life. Sunroof, everything seems to work, I'll have to check the CD player.

I will change the oil & filter today. I did get the original book w/ a Haynes or Chiltons. It starts fine, body in not too bad of shape.:)

Better get to work,
Dave:thumbup:

I will have to figure out how to put up some pix.:rolleyes

[QUOTE=Funny;168528]What I meant by 5 speed being the only way to go is that there are automatic offerings for that year, but the 5 speed manual is the most desired transmission. Sorry for the confusion.

No worries!

I went to check the oil in it yesterday & all it's vitals, when I closed the hood it wouldn't completely close. So I just took of the latch & gave it a good treatment of WD40 & worked it into the cable. It was the cable that was stuck.
Worked the crud out of it. I'm going to have to find my ATV cable luber. I'm not sure how long the WD will work. But it's fine for now.

I'm just going to drive it for now until. Oil doesn't look bad, smell is fine, coolant is Red, who makes that one? Also needs a new windshield. Still looking for the power steering fluid res. Clutch is OK for now, getting used to it. My foot is faster than my hand, ground 3rd a few times yesterday. OOPs!:D

Dave

Grind me a pound, my friend. :D
The coolant is the original. Toyota make the red stuff. How clear is it? Mine is a 2002 and I have never changed the coolant... :o
Never had to. Check the transmission fluid, if it a manual you'll need a 24mm wrench and you may need to remove one of the plastic splash-shields to get to the tranny. The bolt is on the driver's side, and you'll want to check the fluid from the higher bolt, otherwise you'll definitely be changing the fluid :thumbup:. I believe the power steering is on the passengers side, but it could also be below the clutch and brake fluid... I can't remember.

Hi Funny,

Getting better w/ the shifting. I think the Corolla has a wee bit of a longer throw compared to what I'm used too.

The Red rad fluid is very clear. Thanks for giving me a few things of the how & where to check variety, much appreciated.:rolleyes:

Dave:thumbup:

FYI I changed the title to correct the model year.

Thanks Daox,

You don't miss a trick do you? My friend didn't know for sure what year it was when he was giving the info on the car before hand. Luckily it's on the title & the original owner's manual.:)

I was checking your mileage on your Paseo & Prius. Good job! My wife was going to buy a brand new Paseo, back in the day, it was an end of the year clearance thing Toyota does, but only & auto was available. Yours must be a 5speed right? Always a cute distinct car w/ personality. High MPG too! I did not know that.

Thanks again for the great job of moderating,:thumbup:
Dave:D

OK, 5speed, with tons of work. I check out the build link, impressive!

I thought it was too cold where you live to work on cars!:eek:

Dave

Thanks Dave. Yeah, the Paseo has a few tweaks. ;)

Haha, thats what a garage and multiple layers of clothes are for. :)

Did my first refill today after just 246.6 miles @ 6.1 gallons that puts me at over 40 MPG. I'll keep checking it. Much better than I originally thought.

I put Castrol 10W30 in my VX because an ad on here said low friction, what's everyone else using to improve MPG's? Remember,I have over 234,000 miles.
:thumbup:
Dave

Use 5W in summer, 0W in winter. You could probably get away with 0W all year if you take 'er easy, but I don't think there's any reason to go above 5W. It's up to you to read up on the matter, so do that first and just take this as a nudge, not extensively researched advise.

HI WonderBoy,

I was wrong. After I thought about I put 5W30 in the VX. KMart is running a sale on Castrol, something like 5 quarts of conventional for $12 or high mileage for $14. May try some High Mileage 5W30. Mostly I'll make sure it says energy saving.

Thanks,
Dave

High mileage is actually just slightly thicker oil to prevent blow-by from the rings. You're better off going full synthetic 5W30 in the summer and 0W30 in the winter. I use the Castrol Syntec myself, but haven't heard any complaints about Mobil One.

How many miles on it? I can't remember but if it's more than 100K, change the O2 sensors. They are expensive, so be aware. Get the Bosch, not the Denzo.

Change the Transmission fluid to a synthetic manual transmission oil. Mobil One in mine - I think it's 75W90.

Clean the Mass Air Flow sensor in the air intake if you have one - the MAF sensor I mean, and clean the Throttle Plate. I use STP Air intake cleaner for both.

Just letting you know, check your claipers in the front. Make sure the slides for the pads are still sliding, it's a common problem in NE, maybe not where you are.

Good luck and keep us updated!

Hi Funny,

OK, i will go with a 5W30. Thanks for informing me about the high mileage oil. I don't know how much oil it uses so i will go with conventional on this change & see how often i need to add. I've had Fords in the past, diesel & gas, that it wasn't unusual to add a quart every 500 miles.

75W90 for the manual trans fluid? I thought that for better MPG's it was better to go with a regular 5W30? At least that's what I did w/ my Honda's. Is that what Toyota's like, 75W90? I drive pass Summit auto parts every Friday so I can get some Red Line or Royal Purple if I need. What's the capacity?

I have 234,000 & the check engine light is on so I may need a new O2 sensor. Bosch it is! Much needed info, thank you!

I live in NE Ohio so salt contamination is always a concern for a driver. I will have to pull the rotors off to get them at least turned, so I will check the pins too!

I will clean the MAF & the throttle plate w/ STP brand product. I will get to all this, I'm in the middle of building a 24x24 barn. I took in a beautiful all white 3 year old Arabian Mare. So I'm working w/ her to get some manners as well.

Man Funny, your a life/Toyota saver! (know anything about horses?):D:D

Much appreciated,
Dave

Why do you recommend Bosch? I've never had bad luck with Denso.

OK,

I did a search on the 02 sensor, it list's a front & rear on Anything Auto site. Do they both need replaced at specific intervals or just when they throw a code?

The Bosch was cheaper, cost wise! I know the Honda Guys like the Denso better for the 5wire VX. I haven't had bad luck with either brand name. All stuff still wears out!

Thanks,
Dave

Just a quick data point.

My civic calls for 5w30, and it had that or 10w for its first 150,000 miles. I then switched to Mobil1 5w20. I've had zero problem with leaks or burning oil, even with an extended 10k change interval. The oil level stays the same the whole time.

The conventional wisdom (wiz-dumb?) is not to switch a high-mileage car to thin / synth oil. I had no trouble doing it.

Thanks for your experienced opinion PaleMal! I've got a few not expected gigs come up this week, so I may bite the bullet, maybe go to Walley World & buy a gallon or so of Mobil1.

As far as I can see I have no leaks, so Houston we have throttle up!

Thanks,
Dave:thumbup:

BTW,

Has anyone ever adjusted the Valves in their Corolla? :o I do have a tiny bit of ticking, only heard w/ the hood open. I do have a sticker under the hood for what the clearance should be.

Thanks,
Dave

I'd be willing to bet you have solid shims that would need replacing to adjust valve clearance. After so many miles, they probably are a bit worn, but I don't know if I'd let that bother me.

Hi Daox,

Solid shims? That's a new one on me, but you being the Toyota Guru here, you know your chit man!

I just took my del Sol out of winter hibernation last night for my wife to drive so that we can pay down our Marathon credit card from her Honda Passport. Great vehicle, but a bit of a pig. She has a 70 mile commute.

The valve ticking on the del Sol are louder than the Corolla, & they've been adjusted a few times. Everything is original, shocks/struts, clutch w/ 221,555 miles. I've used Mobile1 5W30 in the 11 or so years I had it. Always a garage queen.

Thanks,
Dave

- I have always used Bosch O2 sensors, that's why I recommend them - never had one fail.

- Yes replace both at the same time, make sure you get penetrating oil at the same time and hose the front one. It's located behind the engine on the exhaust manifold, it's a pain to get to unless you are a contortionist, so you only want to have to replace it once.

- If it's throwing a code, what code? If you don't have a Scangauge, get one - it will pay for itself within a couple of months on the gas you save using it.

Common codes:
P0420 - catalytic converter efficiency low bank 2 - replace O2 sensors (at least the rear one)
P0446 - vapor canister issue - tighten gas cap and hope that the evaporator canister's valves aren't sticking. About a $200-$250 part.

-I think that your engine isn't a 1ZZFE, therefore I don't know all there is to know about it. But your oil capacity should be about 4 quarts.

-I wouldn't change transmission oil to 5w30 only because of the age and mileage of the vehicle, but it's safe to assume that changing the oil with the stock viscosity should be okay. A side note - this is a pain in the ass for most Toyotas because of the angle that you have to be at to get the MTG oil back into the tranny. Just a warning - have extra on hand.

-As far as horses go, I wager on them in Saratoga NY every year. I know they like apples and carrots, and that the bump in the bottom center of their hoof is called a frog. Keep the hoofs trimmed or the horse could get Laminitis, a debilitating problem that usually means the horse gets put down.

Sorry for being such a know it all, I just don't want you making the same mistakes that I have. Check out the PM I sent you Dave for more info.

-Funny OUT.

I wasn't sure either so I did a quick search. Apparently they did go to the 1ZZ in 99.

Toyota Corolla specifications and model year changes

My Toyota Brothers,

Daox, I appreciate the Corolla link you searched for us here, great info w/ lots of specifics, including capacities & other tech info, great stuff! I will read & enjoy it all. Thanks for taking the time & sharing!:thumbup:

Funny, I see how you got the name. I LOLed the horse horsed comments!:D

I do have a ScanII but never ran the codes to know what they were telling me.Now I know what the numbers mean at least. It would be nice to get the CE light off. That's one of the reasons my friend gave me the car because he lives in an area that has Echeck. I will run the scan & let you know what I find.

I have a funnel that I've used over the years for my Hondas to get the tranny oil in should work just fine.

Daox, what weight do you use for tranny oil replacement?

BTW, on grind a pound for me my friend, the stock shifter in my del Sol feels like a short shifter in comparison to my Corolla, that's why I'm being a butcher! I'm much, much better now.:eek::eek

Thanks again,
Dave

I used what Toyota recommends for the Paseo which is 75W90, but I used Royal Purple synthetic. It definitely makes a difference when the engine is cold. Once warm, I don't think there is a ton of difference.

To make it easier on yourself, get a funnel and a tube to go on the end of the funnel. That way you can snake it down to the tranny fill hole. I have a pic in my build thread here.

Hi Daox,

OK then 75W90 it is. I go past Summit Racing every Friday & I will get the Royal Purple when I stop in. I do have a funnel w/ a long tube on it just for doing tranny refills.

Thanks,
Dave

Hey Funny,

He's my codes:
P0420
P0441
P0446

I cleared them & the smell of the engine improved. I'm sure the CE will probably come back on. We'll see when I drive 200 miles today.

I stuck the ScanII in the CD case holder spot, looks real nice, for now. I'll have to figure out what to do w/ the long cable. Got it wrapped around the steering wheel a few times.:eek::eek:

Dave
.
Funny wrote:
Common codes:
P0420 - catalytic converter efficiency low bank 2 - replace O2 sensors (at least the rear one)
P0446 - vapor canister issue - tighten gas cap and hope that the evaporator canister's valves aren't sticking. About a $200-$250 part.

Here is a link to the codes:
OBD-II Check Engine Light Trouble Codes

Looks like you may have to change the canister... Check up under the gas tank- near the rear passenger side wheel well. You may be able to see the canister wedged in towards the front of the car. You may be able to unstick the valves with a couple of tanks of gas with some solvent in it, (Xylene, Acetone, Chevron w/Techron) but more than likely you will be heaving that part out the window and replacing it. That is one of the biggest complaints of this generation of Corolla. Clear the codes and hope for the best.

To get when your's was manufactured, look on the inside door jam of the driver's side front door, just below the latch. It was most likely Canada. To figure out the engine info, check on the underside of the hood for the hood sticker, or under the hood on the front frame components. I can't remember for sure. But if you have the 1ZZFE, you have a VVTi engine and that will improve your mileage and pickup. Let us know how it turns out.