Oil Change... Questions Before Doing So With Diy

[YarisGLS]

Been reading through previous post and decided on 5W 40 as it is most recommended by most of you.

But I recall reading a post saying that genuine Toyota oil filter should be used as there is a special valve. Does that mean that the replacement oil filter from Halfords are no good to use?

And is there a need to purchase a new drain plug washer?

On another note.... which stops me from doing the oil change yet:

My car has not been throughly checked before. The pully area squeeks and the belts looks old. There are rust on the power steering reservoir and I can hear another squeek from the engine bay (from inside the car) when the clutch is not pressed and in gear. This squeek will stop if I step on the clutch.

And when the car is travelling along in gear, if I leave my foot lightly on the clutch, I can feel shakes/vibration that is in sequence with the engine rpm (i.e. faster shake/vibration when rpm is higher). Is this an indication that something is getting wrong in my engine? Could this be the timing chain?

If I need to check the timing chain.... I won't do the oil change now, as I understand that the engine oil has to be drained....

What's you guys comments on this? Shall I have the car fully checked (especially on timing chain) and stuff and have the oil change...etc afterwards? And what sort of price should I be looking at?

P.S. I am a Uni student in tight budget....

[dawesy]

yep toyota filters contain a one way valve that stops oil draining back when the engines turned off they're only about £7 anyway.

plug washer should be ok and sometimes they come with a genuine replacement filter any way.

squeek could be the belts need replacing (not too big a job) or a dry bearing on a belt pulley, get a can of wd40 and spray the pulley where the noise is comming from if it stops then it could be that although i would change the belt first to rule it out

vibration from the clutch doesnt sound like a big problem unless its very severe and the squeek from that sound like a dry relace bearing on the clutch.

what milage has the car done?

[YarisGLS]

Thanks for the reply! The car have done 80000+ mile now since 1999.

I flushed the engine and got the oil changed to 5W40 yesterday and replaced with a Japanese oil filter that also have the valve. Together with new spark plugs, wow, what a different car (in terms of responce, at least)!

The noise is still there after a few spray on the pullies, so I will give that belt change a try. Got quoted 45 quid + new belt price from a garage, is that ok?

However, I am a bit worried after reading that some people got engine hesitating problems after a belt change... is there such a risk?

P.S. for those planning to do an oil change on a 1.0 yaris, the drain plug head size is 14mm. DON'T use adjustable spanner, it will just slip on the bolt head (that's what happened to me). A 14mm socket or spanner will do the job right away.