Recent content by andrewderrick

Swapped it out today AC machine now shows 100% hold level on the vacuum test which is nice to see

On my drive home from work last week noticed the ac wasn’t cooling. Really doesn’t smell like refrigerant in the cabin so I wasn’t particularly concerned about an evaporator leak (or at least front evaporator). Did a quick visual and found low side service valve leaking and a nice wet spot on...

I would do valve cover gaskets, plugs, and coils and live with the rest. Only use OEM Toyota gasket. Replace PCV and breather hoses too

Noticed my ac cooling performance was starting to become poor. Recovered 400g~, vacuumed for 30 minutes, and charged it - much better.

- Is it actually out of time? - is the connector on the VVT solenoid broken or is there a solenoid issue? - did the crank sensor wiring get messed up during timing belt install? - bad cam actuator?

As a shop I would have quoted an additional .5 hr + parts (we are 225/hr) or 1 hr if completed without timing belt job.

Are radiators and racks getting discontinued? If so I’ll have to start looking

I’m the service manager for an auto repair shop, been at it for 12 years now, so yes I’ve seen quite a few leak. For Japanese vehicles OE, Denso, and Koyorad are good, the rest seem to last 2-3 years often don’t fit well.

I’d buy a dealer one, in my experience most aftermarket condensers don’t last super long

Any AHC service (globes,etc) ? Does 05 have TPMS?

170k

I’d replace axles and flanges if it was mine, oe only

Certainly interesting

Just replaced my rear uppers - 180k miles on car (left the pan hard and lowers as is). Rear seems more solid and straighter on the highway - old bushings had just slight cracking, honestly didn’t look that bad but neither did the ones on my 3rd gen 4Runner.