Bought a used yaris, now to get it back into shape, need some feedback. [LONG POST]

[seatech30]

tmontague, thanks! I do believe what I referred to as deposits is in fact the varnish you mention. It's maybe twice as thick as that of my own. I'm assuming since the car is low miles, they didn't really worry to do the changes on a time basis as they should have. The oil that came out, seemed no different/dirtier than when I do an oil change on my original, so I'll play it safe and just do another oil change without cleaners sooner than later maybe 4k miles.
It certainly has been a learning experience and hope I don't end up paying too much more for it, haha. Have to start somewhere I suppose. I wrote down a lot of notes (checklist) for next time.
The coolant was nice and liquid, so not worried there either.
I'll make sure to inspect the mounts. I was actually thinking I should probably put those on my old car to see if they help it with it's vibration.

06YarisRS, thanks! I was thinking to do a drain and fill on the trans, after I see some improvement after the mounts. Don't want to sink too much money all at once to realize it wasn't worth it. I also want to change the brake fluid. I hate to admit, but I've been running the same coolant in my old yaris for about 100k miles now... I've topped it up as it seems to evaporate. I definitely owe it a drain and refill soon.
How are the rockauto filters? I've been doing the k&n ones from amazon when they've dropped in price, usually grab 3-6 at once. I'll take a look and compare prices.

[06YarisRS]

Originally Posted by seatech30

06YarisRS, thanks! I was thinking to do a drain and fill on the trans, after I see some improvement after the mounts. Don't want to sink too much money all at once to realize it wasn't worth it. I also want to change the brake fluid. I hate to admit, but I've been running the same coolant in my old yaris for about 100k miles now... I've topped it up as it seems to evaporate. I definitely owe it a drain and refill soon.
How are the rockauto filters? I've been doing the k&n ones from amazon when they've dropped in price, usually grab 3-6 at once. I'll take a look and compare prices.

I get it. If you do decide to do a couple/few trans drain and fills, I'd recommend doing it once, driving for a while - maybe a several days, and then repeating. I think this is less likely to 'shock' the system. Although my understanding of automatic transmissions is in it infancy, I believe that too much fresh fluid at once can clean clutch packs etc too agressively, resulting in slipping.

Your coolant is probably still ok, but likely due for replacement. The main reason I like to do mine is to replenish the corrosion inhibitors. I think its freeze protection and cooling attributes probably last a lot longer than the corrosion inhibitors.

I could be wrong, but my personal opinion is the K&N filters, although probably excellent quality, are way over-priced for what they are. But, maybe you're getting a super deal buying in bulk. Similarily, Fram's excellent quality Ultra filter is great and I'd use it in a heartbeat, but, again overpriced. That said, I'd be hypocritical for admonishing anyone for spending disproportionally more for a high quality product that will do the absolute best possible job and that has that tangible 'feel good' factor. I've done that many times myself, and sometimes still do. I like the EcoGard filters from Rock auto. They're usually under $1.50 CAD each and when combined with other parts in the order, shipping cost is negligible. The EcoGard filter reminds me of the Kia OEM filters; for one it's the same color, is a solid and hefty, well-constructed filter and comes with a shrinked plastic cover. For my turbocharged 1.8 Yaris, I will def be using a higher end synthetic media filter. Will probably go with the EcoGard S6311 synthetic media cartridge filter, unless I convert to a spin-on filter setup as there are a lot more options in the spin-on configuration. But, for stock, these standard EcoGards are a fantastic value.

[seatech30]

Originally Posted by 06YarisRS

I get it. If you do decide to do a couple/few trans drain and fills, I'd recommend doing it once, driving for a while - maybe a several days, and then repeating. I think this is less likely to 'shock' the system. Although my understanding of automatic transmissions is in it infancy, I believe that too much fresh fluid at once can clean clutch packs etc too agressively, resulting in slipping.

I was planning to do it once, and again until maybe 50k miles. Thanks for the heads up on the aggressiveness.

Originally Posted by 06YarisRS

Your coolant is probably still ok, but likely due for replacement. The main reason I like to do mine is to replenish the corrosion inhibitors. I think its freeze protection and cooling attributes probably last a lot longer than the corrosion inhibitors.

Good point on the corrosion inhibitors. I'll definitely do a change on the old yaris.

Originally Posted by 06YarisRS

I could be wrong, but my personal opinion is the K&N filters, although probably excellent quality, are way over-priced for what they are. But, maybe you're getting a super deal buying in bulk. Similarily, Fram's excellent quality Ultra filter is great and I'd use it in a heartbeat, but, again overpriced. That said, I'd be hypocritical for admonishing anyone for spending disproportionally more for a high quality product that will do the absolute best possible job and that has that tangible 'feel good' factor. I've done that many times myself, and sometimes still do. I like the EcoGard filters from Rock auto. They're usually under $1.50 CAD each and when combined with other parts in the order, shipping cost is negligible. The EcoGard filter reminds me of the Kia OEM filters; for one it's the same color, is a solid and hefty, well-constructed filter and comes with a shrinked plastic cover. For my turbocharged 1.8 Yaris, I will def be using a higher end synthetic media filter. Will probably go with the EcoGard S6311 synthetic media cartridge filter, unless I convert to a spin-on filter setup as there are a lot more options in the spin-on configuration. But, for stock, these standard EcoGards are a fantastic value.

I was getting them around $4 which seemed good compared to others I would buy before. Their design did change a while ago though. The ecoguards did catch my eye! however, they show as US$3.57 (ECOGARD S4476) still cheaper than k&N, so i'll likely try them out. Would like to try for 10k miles with one of these and mobile 1 extended mileage oil. The cheapest standard replacement I see is the ACDELCO PF1233, which had decent reviews on amazon and actually is the same price with FS, so I may try these as well.

Originally Posted by komichal

Hello there,
virtually all used cars have some surprises - it only depends how nosy the new owner is and whether he/she strives for catching them all!
Not to mention that 10+ year old car simply HAS to have some issues. From that perspective your trade was quite a bargain I would say! As long as there are no repairs needed that would cost a fortune....
I guess your roads are not enriched with salt during winter, right? Your car will have long and happy life with you! I am trying to give my car everything it deserves but the winters here are salty and the protection against corrosion is weak AF for these cars. Comparing to 15 year old Volkswagen Golf - there is not a single rusty stain there while on Yaris... doh!

I mainly let my guard down because I got blindsided by the prospect of a 101k mile car. The car doesn't seem to be terminally ill yet. I'd say end of the day, I'll end up putting about $500 in parts and fluids into the car. I probably overpaid about $1k for it though. oh well. Hindsight yadda yadda.

[TypeReaL]

Originally Posted by seatech30

I was getting them around $4 which seemed good compared to others I would buy before. Their design did change a while ago though. The ecoguards did catch my eye! however, they show as US$3.57 (ECOGARD S4476) still cheaper than k&N, so i'll likely try them out. Would like to try for 10k miles with one of these and mobile 1 extended mileage oil. The cheapest standard replacement I see is the ACDELCO PF1233, which had decent reviews on amazon and actually is the same price with FS, so I may try these as well.



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Wix or a Toyota OEM oil filter cut open and fram or an acdelco and youll understand always found those on the used cars I bought always first thing to go