Hey everyone. I have a 98 TL. The car is nearing 160k without any proper maintenance (long story).

We got the car at 75k miles 4 years ago. The car has not had a transmission fluid change or a brake fluid change. Also, it has not done the timing belt and water pump along with the other belts (tensioner). The car also has several sensor problems which is enabling it to pass Texas state inspection. The power steering rack/pinion has been replaced (to a used one), but the car is leaking power steering fluid. Can I buy those power-steering "leak-fix" at a local auto parts store? Do they work?

These are a list of problems:

02 Sensor needs to be changed (among a few others)
Timing belt, Water Pump, and other belts
Transmission Fluid/Filter
Brake Fluid
Oil change
Power-steering leak
Check Engine light is on due to sensors (according to State Inspection computer-check)

Is there anything I'm missing? Just imagine the car going from 0 to 160k without maintenance (minus oil changes and tires) and see what needs to be done.

Thanks!

 

From what I can think of from the top of my head, your differential fluid and spark plugs requires attention if they've never been touch. As for the power steering fluid leak, you can try the Lucas brand power steering stop leak as others have tried with success. The car did very well for going that far without proper maintenance, so take care of it.

 

Yeah, money was really, really tight back then, so it was hard to maintain it. Oh yeah, I forgot about those two, thanks a bunch.

 

If you haven't changed oil in 4yrs, you're likely to have sludge in the valve train and crankcase. Very difficult to fix, but read "bobistheoilguy" on Toyotas that were "cured".

I would vote for Oil Change, Auto Trans fluid change (entire swapout recommended - see Youtube for "10 Min Transmission Fluid Flush + Replacement", and new sparkplugs in that order.

Remaining work can come later, but not too much later.

I can vouch for at least one leaking PS rack fixed by Lucas PS Sealer. My father's Avalon was leaking perhaps a teaspoon a day and stopped after installing the Lucas PS Sealer.

good luck

 

He noted that oil changes were done. That's good at least.

 

Thanks. Does the 1G TL need a 3x3 like the 3G? Or is it a simple drain and fill?

 

W/ this many miles, I would go for a complete replacement of trans fluid. Look up the video reference in my first post for details. I've done this on one car and found it to be easy to do.

You can do 3x3 as a poorer and more expensive substitute. w/ Honda ATF at $7-8/qt, that method is quite expensive, whereas replacement will require about 7-8 qts to replace virtually 100% of fluid.

good luck

 

the ATF also has a screen/filter inside the pan... i did a DIY with pics which is posted in the 1G section... while doing your ATF change, i would change that screen...

also, has the cooling system been cared for? if not i would also flush out the coolant, but if you are getting a timing belt done, the coolant will get drained... maybe you change the t-stat???

 

Thermostat was changed 10k miles ago because it malfunctioned. Good idea on the coolant! How hard is the ATF filter/screen? The DIY (instructions) look easy, but the pictures make it look difficult, well annoying and messy.

I'm going for a complete 3x3 with REDLINE Racing & Lightweight (2 QTS racing & 1 lightweight times 3 ). You can check the thread regarding the reason behind in 3G performance and parts.

 

it isn't hard... probably the hardest part is getting the new gasket on the pan back on straight so you don't have any leaks... everything else is straight forward...

i have also switched to a synthetic ATF on all my cars... im only on the first drain and fill on both TLs, but am waiting to see how they react in the winter with the colder weather... if you haven't started the 3X3 yet, i would def do the filter...