djchow85

hi all I own a ae102 '98 corolla at 110,000kms Last night as driving I heard a slight fluttering sound from the engine... I had kinda noticed this since getting the alternator replaced about 2 months ago or so. Once I got home the sound became louder which turned into a knocking sound and then the sound of like a tin can with a rattling marble in it, about 5 seconds passed and the car just shut off. It seemed also the belts were slowing down while this happened.. I checked the oil level and was about half, topped it up and turned it back on and the noise went away. This morning I topped up the coolant, the car seemed to tend to drink up coolant or leak somewhere. The noise started again but I chose not to drive out.. I explained this to a mate and he reckons maybe a spun bearing, bearings near the crank may'be gone or lost? Some sources say maybe clogged oil filter, maybe oil pump? Sad face... I will try maybe upload a video clip of the sound if consistent.. I also have used 10w40 since owning the car at 70,000kms... Some say to use a thicker oil? It's probably thinner for its age but surely not the culprit?

So a few days ago after work when car was parked on level ground, from going to PARK to DRIVE I heard a loud clunk that felt right below me. The next day this happened again This seems to happen only when car is cold. It didn't happen this morning but I deliberately shifted from Park to Drive very slowly.. Checked trans oil and it seemed fine, when car was warm it was at the HOT level.. oil is pretty clear. car is an ae102 98 model at 98,000kms (first acquired at 73xxx) though I don't think the trans oil has been changed since I've owned it It's currently with the mechanic today. I've had a read that it could be a diff, old trans oil, abs kicking in.... I'm hoping its something simple..

fuel filter coz i couldnt be bothered trying to figure it out and stuffing around - just got Midas to do it. 69$ from memory... how many km's on ur ae102? My roof lining is sagging bad.. it is a 1998 model though..

the first 2 are extremely easy Ive never done the fuel filter myself but im sure hiro or someone else can suggest for Air filter, locate it... its on the right hand side of the bay and there's clips for the box, just unclip them, around 4 or so and take the cover off and then you can take the air filter out for the oil filter - i assume you're doing your regular oil change. To take it off itself I personally like to wear washing gloves as I get more grip on it and it saves from burning my skin when the oil is hot (that is when I do an oil change I heat the car up, so the oil temp is at 3 notches so then the oil runs quick when it drains). And obviously have your oil pan/newspaper on the ground your car is parked on..

Hi, So I had a drive and stuck in traffic yesterday (driven for already an hour) and during idle I noticed steam coming out of the vents from my bonnet for about 10seconds. It stopped and came back a few minutes later.. Should this be normally happening? I have noticed also that my coolant tends to be used up quicker than expected.. maybe some cracked hoses? It's a 7AFE, @ 93,000kms..

Hi On my 98 7afe corolla the auto box panel doesn't light up. Panel being the PRNDL. I'm having a feeling I may have to take the covering of it somehow? Thanks

how does the levin you posted handle? i ask as the corolla has the been most boring car i've driven...

NGK from supercheap coz they're easy to get... $4.50 each for standard ones?

the annoying thing is the car is in darkness, when i got the car the boot light console was also taken out... sigh

Try checking the wiring/contacts at the dome light itself, you only need to pop the cover off and undo one or two screws to pull the unit out. I had similar issues with my 102, the switch wasn't making clean connection with the contacts and thus wasn't turning on reliably. thanks for that, sounds promising, will check during the day

So my dome light doesn't turn on (while switch is on the DOOR position) when my doors open. It turns on fine if I flick the switch to ON. The door terminal buttons whatever you call them don't seem stuck as when I have them open I have the "door" light on the dashboard turn on I'm guessing deteriorated internal wiring somewhere? It's a 1998 rolla.. thanks

on 7afe every 5000km just for peace of mind spark plugs by the book, every 40,000 regularly check coolant levels coz ive got leaks somewhere... :P

yeah be good chance its the pads do you know when the last time they were changed? If its a rock etc, take the wheel off. Jack it up if you can with jack/stands.. If you keep driving you'll prob be suggested to machine the disc which will prob be another 200$ or so from memory? I had a grind after i finished at wakefield raceway, i was pretty noob then...

but at the same time it's a forum so technical questions that the average person may not be able to solve is legit right?

10w40 should do the job well it depends also how many km's you got on it as well. Someone I think has posted that once these past 150,000 that they become suckers for oil... I was overly keen and did mine with 5w40... bit thin, will definately go back to 10w40 after...