Finally gave in... bought an automatic

[MetroMPG]

Looks super familiar!



One of my shortest-duration ownership experiences: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...-vs-33736.html

And not because it wasn't a good car. Probably the best screwed together subcompact I've owned.

Hopefully you don't have the fatal flaw/Achilles Heel rust at the rear of the rocker panel/axle mount like mine did. (I suspect not, given your enviable locale/climate.)

Originally Posted by Stubby79

So what's left, in an automatic and gets 30+mpg? Couldn't find a Prius cheap enough.

I really liked the Echo, but I LOVED the Prius. Have you driven one? Ideally suited for the commute you described.

I would suggest you keep looking for one and pounce when the right (ie. cheap enough) one comes up. Then sell the Echo -- on which you will probably be able to make a wee profit, given the tidy-up and maintenance you've done.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by Stubby79

Check out the spark plug I pulled:

Ha! Looks like the condition of the plugs in my Miata when I got it. Super-gapped!

[Stubby79]

Originally Posted by jcp123

Iridium were what was spec'd in mine. I don't know and don't think yours should be any different. NGK's were the OE plugs, pricey suckers.

You'd think so. Maybe they specifically put them in US cars?

Both Toyota.ca and the service manual state "Regular" spark plugs, to be replaced every 48,000kms.

[Stubby79]

Well...I'm please with myself. And not with the previous owner. (Fairly typical, that)

Went out and got denso spark plugs and a cabin air filter for almost nothing. Then popped over to the Toyota dealership to check on the price of ATF and coolant. Guess what? The genuine Toyota fluids are cheaper than the knock offs everywhere else! I came home with their antifreeze and ATF.

It was not yet 9 am by this point, so nothing for it but to buckle down and give it all the attention it deserves. Flushed the radiator with actual stuff meant to do the job and deionized water (Two or three times), then reloaded with coolant. Dump and fill on the ATF, the old of which was distinctly black once it was in my drain pan. New spark plugs went in, as did the cabin air filter.

Spent all of $75 to do it. Mostly on the fluids.

So, of course, gotta take it for a test drive. She idles much smoother once in gear at slow idle. Please with that. Cooling fan stayed on most of the time once warmed up...not please with that, after having just flushed the system to help prevent it.

Popped the hood when I got back. Fan running. Something isn't right. Top hoses are hot. Top of radiator is hot. Middle all the way down to and including the bottom radiator hose are cold. And fan is running. That ain't right.

Plugged radiator? You'd assume so, right? Hmm...I had the thermostat out to do the flush, and could see the coolant flowing like mad. Maybe the thermostat is stuck closed? Entirely possible...

Wait a minute...I remember looking up the belt routing on this thing:



Another, presumably with power steering:


Better:



They all point to the same thing...the back of the belt is supposed to drive the water pump.

Guess what? Wait for it... wait for it...

The ribbed side of the belt is driving the water pump!!! It's running backwards!!

It's been on there like that so long that slight grooves have been worn in to the pulley.

Zomygawd!!!

I don't know how this thing survived without overheating. A testament to Toyota quality, perhaps?

Uhh....I'm done working on it for today, but guess what I'm doing first thing in the morning?

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Stubby79

Maybe they specifically put them in US cars?

Considering that Americans use lower-grade fuels more frequently than Europeans and Japanese, to the point that other automakers have also used a few different parts in engines meant to the American market which might be seen as a downgrade, it wouldn't surprise me to see Toyota using copper plugs.

[MetroMPG]

That's hilarious! Good find.

---

Also, YKYAEM when you spot this parked at the end of someone's driveway, and immediately think of this thread. Also... when you can't resist stopping to have a peek. Manual, yay! Extensive rocker rust at the axle mount points, boo.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

I haven't seen much Uruguayans and Paraguayans mentioning that rust issue.

[Stubby79]

I think I have figured out why it hasn't over heated...there are 2 upper radiator hoses going to the top of the radiator. They're both hot/up to temp. The coolant is presumably flowing in through one and out through the other, mixing with the coolant in the top of the radiator along the way. So it's been getting some cooling.

Plus a bit more from the heater core. Which is probably why I have had no problems driving to work at night...with the heat cranked up because it's still cold.

So #$%^ing glad I found this before the weather got warm.

[Stubby79]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Stubby79]

Put the belt on the right way:



And pulled up the driver's side of the carpet to let dry, as who knows how often rain got in with the previous owner:



Nap time.