Advice on Ancient Corolla

9 hours ago, stupidlyromantic said:

The intake manifold was done, together with a new exhaust, as a result of issues that got thrown up after the Terraclean and was all in the name of getting through the MOT - which she failed first time on emissions but sailed through on the re-test after the work.  Was working brilliantly for a couple of weeks - and then it all started again!

To me the 'working brilliantly' bit is a possible clue... hard to explain but if there was an issue with ECU or ignition (and I'll the fuel theories as well now) then a Terraclean and the new exhaust and so on should not/would not alter things... and yet they did. A blocked filter or a faulty ECU or sludge in the tank would be just as faulty before as it would be after what was done.

I'm wondering then if the issue really is something more mechanical (maybe like the valve theory I mentioned) but I am not expert enough to be able back that up beyond wondering if the Terraclean has 'fiddled' the fault for a short time. Terraclean as I understand it is a thorough clean that does attempt to remove deposits and so on from combustion chambers and valve gear and so. It may have done enough to temporarily 'fix' the problem or mask the real issue.

So I really do wonder now if that is where things are pointing. At 300k mileage it would be unrealistic to rule out such things. It must be at the top percentile point of what an engine can do without major work. 

10 hours ago, stupidlyromantic said:

Just as a wild matter of interest ... if she was yours, would you fix or ditch? 

I know that question was not directed at me but my advice would have to be not to keep pouring money at it in hope. If you could get an absolute definite diagnosis with a guarantee that there is an identifiable issue that could be fixed then you could make an informed decision. Before you know it you will have spent more than a car with a warranty and fresh MOT might cost. 

You also have to consider its age and general condition (I'm thinking corrosion underneath) and how close an MOT failure for that might be.   

Fully agreed with Mooly .
Valve issues as a result of carbon buildup on Toyota port injection engines is very unlikely. At this mileage a chain slightly stretched can cause similar troubles and likely to be intermittent.
But I have no idea of the engine in question and I can’t offer much of a help, just general suggestion. 

It's a tricky one; That car is old enough it'll become a classic before too long and might be worth fixing just for that - Unlike the Mk9, the Mk8s are a lot rarer...

However, I tend not to get too attached to specific cars.

I think in your situation, I'd either try to replace it with a similar but working one, or 'upgrade' to something else.

If we think it might be fuel/fuel-system related, could try running several tanks of Shell V-Power/BP Ultimate through it to see if that helps, or even some Redex.

I used to do that in my old diesel Yaris, as it'd start to feel a bit sluggish if it never saw a fast A-road or motorway for too long, and that helped noticeably.

I though cars had to be 40 years old before they were considered 'classics' - or is that just for road tax purposes?!

Have been looking for a similar one .... no joy so far ☹️

Thank you all so much for your input .... Much to consider.  I'll let you know what the final decision is - although given my legendary inability to make decision it could be a while 😉 ...

On 5/12/2024 at 8:25 PM, oldcodger said:

@stupidlyromantic

 

The problem with our  pre 2007 Corollas is that some spares are becoming obselete and very hard to find, if at all, eg brake backplates.

 

You could try https://www.amayama.com/en

I believe it is a Japanese company and Xanadu_999 suggested it in this thread:-

I just want to say, that for anyone looking to buy a small van or small estate, the Corolla of around the 2000s is an ideal vehicle, as it is normally a 4/5 seater and if the back seats are folded down then the rear floor is completely flat, making it a small van or good size estate.  The rear seats are slit so you could still have 3 seats and a bit of extra carrying capacity.  Corner to corner over the front seat, is about 9ft, I carried a piece of conduit about that length.  Normal Toyota reliability and after 160,000 miles no major faults and no real rust other than the cills.

In fact, if Toyota still made exactly the same car, I would have bought it rather than my GR86, which is a fun car but the old Corolla is a perfect all purpose run about.

.

On 5/16/2024 at 10:54 PM, stupidlyromantic said:

Have been looking for a similar one .... no joy so far ☹️

If you're still looking, I'd be tempted by this one: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/166759971318

Seems to be in reasonable condition for its age and very rare to see one with a full leather interior.

Did you look at the MOT history on the .gov site?

Looks to me like it been repaired (last MOT fail on corrosion) and is now being sold. Worth a look at the full history. 

At 20+ years old, most cars will have suffered from corrosion. I did notice this car had failed a few MOTs, but all advisories had been fixed.

After owning the same model for 17 years, I'd imagine the OP has become quite attached to their car. Bearing in mind the OP has spent £900 so far on repair costs, this was a suggestion of getting a similar model which appears to have been reasonably maintained. This would be subject to viewing the car in person and checking the overall condition. These liftback models have much more boot space than the later Auris/Corolla hatchbacks.

19 minutes ago, 1.33 said:

At 20+ years old, most cars will have suffered from corrosion.

Oh of course, corrosion will be what gets our old 2003 Corolla I imagine.

The one for sale looks as though this might be why its for sale straight after its MOT, its been fixed sufficient for an MOT pass but will it pass another in 12 months... maybe that comes across as a bit brutal but you do wonder and you have to be realistic.    

Well y'see ... I did go to look at that ol' Corolla on E-Bay ... Found it while researching what people put in their ads.  It is now sitting in my front drive and is the unicorn it claimed to be.  The corrosion was/is minimal and the nearside rear issue that caused the MOT failure has been sorted.  The engine looks like it's just come off a forecourt and she drives like a dream.  My 'baby's' little sister!  I asked about the history and it seems this one has been a second car that went to the shops ... She's about to have a baptism of fire as we're off to the Outer Hebrides this weekend ...  Watch this space!

Thank you all again for your help and advice.  It was really useful 😀

Glad it all worked out 😃. I don't recall ever seeing an E110 Corolla with a full leather interior. Really pleased this one went to a good home.

I'd been wondering how you were getting on so I'm pleased to hear you found a good one and the the corrosion was minor.

Brilliant... enjoy 🙂

Glad you managed to find your unicorn!  

May you have many trouble-free motoring miles!