Under Valve Cover Pics- '03 Corolla 263k miles

[GR_CoB]

Wow that is crazy and you are absolutely right, goes a long way. I'm sure you're nursing her back to health.

Unfortunately neglect to that car was done in many areas, not just skipped oil changes. And result of that was starting to show. I did what I could to save it, but ultimately had to give up on it. Too many problems to tackle on a part time paycheck as a college student. That was around ~2015, and car is a 2008 Pontiac Vibe AWD.

 

[dfarr67]

What is the valve train maintenance on these?

 

[tblt44]

Clean

 

[Oliveoil2]

Button it up and continue. Valvoline Restore and Protect might make a difference in oil usage (or not). I’d do two 4-5k OCI’s and see if that makes a difference. If not…..no big deal. You’ve gotten your moneys worth from this vehicle!

 

[jsean]

What is the valve train maintenance on these?

Run any xw20 or xw30 oil, keep the OCIs at 5k miles. Not much else on the 1ZZ. 05-08 were the sweet spot. One of Toyota’s peak reliability engines imo.

 

[The Critic]

Looks pretty similar to my sister's former 2005. First part of its life was rental service, then 5K ish OCI's going forward.

Post in thread 'Bought a 2005 Toyota Corolla'

Jan 8, 2022

I have been making progress on the Corolla’s reconditioning.

After smog, the first stop was a new battery. Yes, I swapped it in the Costco parking lot to avoid having to make a second trip for the core return:

Then it was time for new tires at America’s Tire:

Next I pulled the injectors and had them serviced. Supposedly they were a “3 or 4” in terms of dirtiness and I should see a 8% improvement in flow.

I am currently in the process of resealing the timing cover. I forgot how easy these cars are to work on compared to the newer 4-cyls. It is...

• The Critic

• 

Now @JeffKeryk has it; I think he changes the oil using his Mityvac every 5K, but only performs a filter change and tire rotation every presidential election. Ok, I'm kidding.

 

[dfarr67]

Run any xw20 or xw30 oil, keep the OCIs at 5k miles. Not much else on the 1ZZ. 05-08 were the sweet spot. One of Toyota’s peak reliability engines imo.

No valve adjustments? I ask because a friend recently burned a valve on a '99- I would think you need to measure and replace buckets as needed. My K24 does have adjustments.

 

[panthermike]

Run any xw20 or xw30 oil, keep the OCIs at 5k miles. Not much else on the 1ZZ. 05-08 were the sweet spot. One of Toyota’s peak reliability engines imo.

Agreed! I've heard that about the 05-08 but mine has been stellar. Here's what has failed in 23 years and 263k miles; starter at 230k, 2x wheel bearings at 248k, and I replaced the valve cover gasket, belt tensioner, and timing chain tensioner (unsure if needed) over the weekend. That's it!

No valve adjustments? I ask because a friend recently burned a valve on a '99- I would think you need to measure and replace buckets as needed. My K24 does have adjustments.

No adjustments required or recommended by Toyota, although I imagine they can be checked.

 

[trd1zz]

I still run a 2006 Corolla with the 1ZZ and 5 speed manual... I bought it used in 2009 for $8500. Every once in a while I think about other people and how many cars and money they must have burned through in this same time frame. Acquiring and keeping this little car has taught me a lot.

Anyways, yours looks good. I'd keep running it.

As for me? While I now also have other bigger vehicles for family and road trip stuff, my 06 is a forever car. IYKYK.

 

[panthermike]

I still run a 2006 Corolla with the 1ZZ and 5 speed manual... I bought it used in 2009 for $8500. Every once in a while I think about other people and how many cars and money they must have burned through in this same time frame. Acquiring and keeping this little car has taught me a lot.

Anyways, yours looks good. I'd keep running it.

As for me? While I now also have other bigger vehicles for family and road trip stuff, my 06 is a forever car. IYKYK.

Exactly, it amazes me how little this car has needed over the years. We also have other cars, but the Corolla stays. Most of the time, I still use it for commuting.

 

[xmanjeff]

Soooo much cleaner than my 1ZZ was at 90k miles, thanks to complete neglect from previous owners. Basic maintenance goes a looong way.
View attachment 317158

would Valvoline Restore and Protect clean that all up ,if used enough , somewhat curious?

 

[GR_CoB]

would Valvoline Restore and Protect clean that all up ,if used enough , somewhat curious?

My guess would be that it would take at least 50k miles on Valvoline Restore and Protect with 3k OCIs.

 

[Cressida]

OP, Regarding the belt tensioner; were you getting the rattle on cold starts as you started driving (as I currently do) ?
I think it may be the tensioner but it's hard to pinpoint.

 

[The Critic]

Regarding the belt tensioner; were you getting the rattle on cold starts as you started driving (as I currently do) ?
I think it may be the tensioner but it's hard to pinpoint.

It probably is. Also make sure the bolt holding down the tensioner is tight. I have seen them break off and/or back out over time...not sure why.

 

[THORROMIG]

Looks really good, glad to hear it runs good and hopefully the Valvoline Restore and Protect helps with some consumption issues moving forward.

 

[panthermike]

OP, Regarding the belt tensioner; were you getting the rattle on cold starts as you started driving (as I currently do) ?
I think it may be the tensioner but it's hard to pinpoint.

Sorry never saw this! yes that's exactly what mine was doing and stopped after the tensioner replacement.