97 Corolla Valvetrain Pics

[Jordan_FX4]

Hi all, here's some pictures I snapped yesterday as my dad and I changed the valve cover gasket on my step-sister's 1997 Toyota Corolla 1.6L engine. It's been leaking and burning oil since she bought it so we changed the VC gasket and PCV valve to help slow it down a bit.

It's heavily varnished but not sludged; I'm guessing the oil wasn't changed regularly by the previous owner.






Next up will be the timing belt as it's very cracked and looks to be the original with 17x,xxx miles on the clock.

 

[simple_gifts]

Thanks for those; JIT timing belt change.

 

[Joe_Power]

Get that belt replaced while you're at it!

 

[Donald]

I would not drive it until the timing belt is changed. I agree, varnished but not sludge. But again an older hard to kill Toyota engine.

If the timing belt breaks you are at least going to walk. I don't think the Toyota engine is an interference engine, but not positive.

 

[147_Grain]

Trust that you also have short-term plans to change the timing belt and tensioners, as that belt looks like it might break anytime in the summer heat.

Prevention is much better than redemption!

 

[stephen9666]

Wow, that belt is bad.

 

[Jordan_FX4]

Simple_gifts, glad to post 'em. I enjoy the pictures that everyone else puts on BITOG, so it was nice to finally have some of my own worth sharing.
Your right about the belt, it doesn't look like it'll go a whole lot further that's for sure!

Joe-Power and Donald, I agree that the timing belt needs done ASAP, and we're going to try and get it taken care of very soon. We simply didn't have the time to mess with it yesterday.

 

[Drew99GT]

Good little cars; I have a 94 7AFE 1.8L Corolla. These engines are non interference, so if it does break, you can flint stone it home and not worry about changing the head and pistons.

As far as oil consumption, these engines are known to consume oil. I cut mine down by doing many types of flushes of the induction system and the oil system do get rid of deposits. Apparently the rings like to stick; I had the best luck using BG Quick Clean in the oil.

 

[Sayjac]

Echoing others, focus on getting tb changed, on borrowed time.

Got some varnish, but with no known maintenance history, not aweful imo.

 

[Jordan_FX4]

Drew99GT, thanks for that information, it's a relief to know as I wasn't sure whether this engine is interference or not.

If you don't mind me asking how much oil is your car consuming? I think this engine has been using around 1qt per 1000 miles.

 

[Drew99GT]

When I got it 10 years ago it was about a quart per 1,000 miles. Now it's a quart every 2,000 miles. The thermostat was stuck open when I got it so I'm sure that potentially led to more deposits in the engine.

 

[901Memphis]

That's about typical from that Era mineral oil. I agree the belt is the most startling part of the pic.

 

[tinmanSC]

It looks like the previous owner did not do much standard maintenance at all, based on what you said. Including that timing belt. Probably original. Still, no sludge, varnish, but that's ok for an engine of this age.

You told us the year of the car, but not how many miles are on it.

 

[SatinSilver]

What brand and grade oil is being used?

 

[Jordan_FX4]

Drew99GT, thanks for quick response! Hopefully the consumption on this engine will finally slow to a more reasonable amount like your car.

TinmanSC, sorry the mileage got hid between the pictures. It's got somewhere around 172-173k miles.

Satinsilver, my dad has run various oils (all 5W-30) in it to see if there is any change in consumption, but so far it has run Havoline conventional, Valvoline Max Life, QS Defy, and a blend of leftover Max Life and Havoline. The QS Defy made the biggest difference as it stopped a very slow drip from the rear main seal that has yet to return.

 

[MrQuackers]

OP original post: 17x,xxx miles

 

[jg1]

How is your exhaust manifold holding up? A known weakness in the 1.6 @ hwy speeds.

take care.

 

[PandaBear]

Non interference engine, but you should change it as it is already cracked, do a water pump while you are at it too.

I replaced the cracked exhaust manifold on mine with a Dorman replacement, about $100 before shipping. To avoid future problem I took off the heat shield so it is cooled better (emission be [censored]).

So far so good.

 

[Nick1994]

My Camry went 186k miles on the original timing belt and looked just like that, maybe a tiny bit bigger cracks. It never broke but I just bought the car and decided to change it. Wasn't too bad to change either. Definitely change tensioner/ idler pulley and the water pump. They are definitely due. Mine didn't turn so easy and the pulleys rattled when shaken

 

[Jordan_FX4]

JG1, thanks for the tip about the exhaust manifold. I think it's holding up alright as I haven't heard any exhaust leaks, nor noticed any visual cracks in it.

PandaBear, that's good to know the Dorman manifold replacement's are affordable, and hopefully leaving the heat shield off prevents any future issues from occurring. I'll make sure to keep your advice in mind.