Some Advice For My 96 Xli

[madder]

I'm gonna be upgrading to a 00 shortly. But I am going to pass my Corolla xli on to a friend. It's such a reliable car. But there are some niggling problems with it that I'd like to know if anyone can advise about or give me an idea about the cost of repair.

1. I need the locks changed. I only have 1 key that works(different from the ignition already) and that key is warped. I got a copy done but because the copy doesn't have the warp, it won't open my car!! How much might it cost to have the 2 front doors and boot locks changed in ireland or Uk preferably?

2. Windscreen rubber needs replacing. It is not even about tucking it back in, it's just torn away and needs replacing. Again, if anyone knows how much that might cost?

Both of these things, I am happy to use an old scrapped car for parts if need be, but it would have to be done by someone who knows how!!

3. The engine has front and back seal oil leaks. They are not causing a huge problem so long as I keep the oil topped up and that and while I know the engine usually has to come out to seal these things up, I have heard of some mechanics that can raise the engine a little to fix the leaks instead of taking it out, and this is supposed to be much cheaper? Again a price on this and if anyone knows of a good mechanic in Dublin that can do this procedure? Otherwise it could be as much as 700 euros alone to fix these leaks.

4. And finally, the really frustrating one. I got a new Catalytic Converter fitted just before the car test last year. But even though it is not loose at all, if the car has more than 2 people travelling in it, and I drive over a car width speed ramp(2 wheels go left and 2 wheels go right of the mini width ramp) the exhaust scrapes off the ramp. I brought it to my mechanic and he said that it was fitted properly and that there wasn't much I can do? Has anyone else had a problem like this?

Thanks in advance!!

[ae102]

i have locks for your car with keys

[madder]

Even I, the guy who is looking for advice can appreciate this answer! Thanks by the way!!!! First of all because I believe you're being sincere, but also for making me LOL if whether or not you're being sincere!! I know these are strange and unusual problems but they're still real!!! ANd much as I enjoy the funny stuff and dry sarcasm/total truthfulness, I was hoping for some advice!! Anything at all! :)

[ae102]

no sarcasim intended- i have locks and keys if your interested........

[madder]

Yeah, ok then? Where are you? I'm in Dublin Ireland. How much do you want? And if you've to ship them, include that in the price? Thanks.

Anybody ale to help or suggest prices for the rest?

[ae102]

Yeah, ok then? Where are you? I'm in Dublin Ireland. How much do you want? And if you've to ship them, include that in the price? Thanks.

Anybody ale to help or suggest prices for the rest?

are you interested in a second -hand engine? got the 1.8 with g/box, ecu and immobiliser with ignition barrel. the engine only has 20k on it but the box has done 110k. will price locks up - dont know what they worth to be honest so i'll find out. will be much cheaper than the scrappy :D

[madder]

Cool thanks man. Not really looking for an engine, but have heard that some mechanics can raise the engine to fix leaks such as front and back seal, without having to remove it?

[DCM]

I'm gonna be upgrading to a 00 shortly. But I am going to pass my Corolla xli on to a friend.

What car are you upgrading to???????????????

[madder]

Probably another Corolla or perhaps an Avensis....why?

The only other make of car I'd even consider if not a Toyota is a Nissan, and that'd be a Primera or whatever, but I aim to get a Corolla or Avensis.

[Beachbuggy]

Reply to number 2....

Have you got ANY local scrap dealers near you? if not go to www.google.co.uk and search for scrap yards and somewhere will have a seal for you be about £10 plus pnp...

Reply to number 3....

Seal leaks.... these need sorting soon and not a bodge job.. can you find the parts your after... look around for a better deal at any places such as a Motor Factors (have them here in the UK no idea about in Dublin though) then just find the garage that gives you the cheapest quote to fit them OR if you have a mate thats into mechanics just give him a crate of beer to do the job..

Reply to number 4....

Easy... Stop straddling the speed bumps, you will have to go over them with 2 wheels missing and 2 wheels going right over the top of them.. I assume your car is lowered.. if not then your exhaust CANNOT be on the right brackets. If it looks like they are, try and see if they have had new brackets welded on due to the old ones rusting away or something

All I can do, hope this helps...

[madder]

Probably another Corolla or perhaps an Avensis....why?

The only other make of car I'd even consider if not a Toyota is a Nissan, and that'd be a Primera or whatever, but I aim to get a Corolla or Avensis.

Reply to number 2....

Have you got ANY local scrap dealers near you? if not go to www.google.co.uk and search for scrap yards and somewhere will have a seal for you be about £10 plus pnp...

Reply to number 3....

Seal leaks.... these need sorting soon and not a bodge job.. can you find the parts your after... look around for a better deal at any places such as a Motor Factors (have them here in the UK no idea about in Dublin though) then just find the garage that gives you the cheapest quote to fit them OR if you have a mate thats into mechanics just give him a crate of beer to do the job..

Reply to number 4....

Easy... Stop straddling the speed bumps, you will have to go over them with 2 wheels missing and 2 wheels going right over the top of them.. I assume your car is lowered.. if not then your exhaust CANNOT be on the right brackets. If it looks like they are, try and see if they have had new brackets welded on due to the old ones rusting away or something

All I can do, hope this helps...

Thanks for all those suggestions. I really don't think my car has been lowered? AT least I didn't lower it in the 3 years I've had it. And before I got the CAT done there was no problem with the exhaust. I do think one of the brackets was loose before the CAT was done, so it is likely that new brackets were welded on and that may well be the prob. Only thing is, for example, when I go to the multi story car park at Dublin Airport for 1 example, the hills that spiral up cause problems too, and scrape the exhaust!

On the front and back seal things, the 2 mechanics I asked had this to say.

1st guy. It'd cost about 700 euros to do that cos the engine has to come out.

2nd guy. Wouldn't be worth your while. The seals themselves are very cheap but we'd have to take out the clutch and gearbox to get at the parts we've to seal and that means a big job. It'd be wiser to just buy another car that might be a little newer than this one for a little extra than the cost of fixing the seals?

Since then I've heard the thing about some mechanics being able to seal these things by raising the engine instead of taking things out? But nobody seems to know anything about it?