Kimby

Working to replace head gasket on 1991 Rolla 4afe ae92 engine with carby. Removing rusty nuts connecting exhaust pipe to manifold. Penetrating oil was working; nut 75% off, but is now rounded and socket won't grip. Space restricted and too far in for vise-type grips (sorry, we're Yanks and forgot the proper Australian word for these). Any suggestions for removing the nut, preferably without damaging the bolt, using tools available in the Sydney area? Thanks, James & Kimby

We are disassembling in order to do a head gasket replacement on the AE92 4AFE engine in our 1991 Rolla (one of the last made with a carby); husband (a newbie mechanic, but doing well so far) cannot find the oxygen sensor he is to remove BEFORE taking off the exhaust manifold. Our Chilton's manual does not give photos for "little steps" like this. Any advice? Can send pix if that would be helpful. Thx, Kimby and James (brave battlers in the soggy shire)

Kimby here, of the "Dump or Keep this Rolla" thread. Reco-ing an AE-92 engine, 4AFC model. We're keeping it, and are progressing nicely through the advice received here. However, after removing the oil filter (a joy in itself, as many of you know) we cannot locate the engine block drain plug per the pretty photos in the Haynes manual. The best we can find is a bolt hole, about 7 or 8 mm in diameter, with what feels to be a sheared off bolt inside. This is located just behind the oil filter screw toward the center (not drivers side) of the engine cavity. As the head gasket is blown, we REALLY need to drain the block, right? We have litres of coolant "missing". I am guessing that our best bet, as we do not have the fancy drill bit to burr out sheared bolt (sorry I cannot remember the right name for this, but I know what it is), is to call a mobile service for this task. However, given where the mother-loving drain is located (we couldn't even take a picture for you without some tiny spy-camera with a flash) I am worried that the engine will have to be pulled, partially unfastened, or some other heinous amount of work. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. For those of you old enough to know American tv from the 1970's, as Emily Litella said...."It's always something." And thanks for your friendliness to this Yank broad. And a n00b no less! Warmly, Kimby

Rod we're at the beginning of a journey that sounds like yours and everyone has been very helpful. I will remember that Happy Gilmore mantra when we get to that point. Kim

We are making great progress with the Haynes manual and most of the prices spec'd out at our local auto parts place in Waitara. We have a referral to a local guy to have the head tested/reconditioned, and have decided that it may be best to also put in a new timing belt and water pump while everything is apart. We have prices of $147 for the VRS Gasket set, $98 for the water pump, and either $125 or $109 for the timing belt. The fellow needed to know if it was a 94 teeth or 117 teeth belt. It is the AE92 engine, and the plate under the bonnet says 4A-FC (I presume that last C means it is carbuereted not fuel injected?). Do any of you know how many teeth on the belt? It was replaced in 2001 at 100k kms (now at 195000 kms) but the little sticker from Repco says nothing else. I'm about to go digging about on the Toyota sites, but if they are anything like Ford back in the states once a vehicle is 10 years old they pretend they never manufactured the bloody thing and disappear all OEM parts and manuals. Thanks for your ongoing support. Kim PS I wish my daddy would have taught me more about cars when he rebuilt a ford pick-up in 1979--instead I just learned how to identify tools and curse. It was my job to sit next to the truck in the garage and listen for phrases such as "give me a mother-f**king 5/16th socket" Now the cursing has come in handy, I won't deny that.....but learning how to rebuild an engine would obviously be handy TODAY.

Thanks, Robert. Your advice sounds right on. Before the CBD overheating incident (sort of my worst night since I've moved here, as I was alone with hubby home in bed with the sick) we seemed tight on the oil, and prior owner swore it wasn't burning any really. We will hit up repco right away for the kit you mentioned. We are already looking for someone who can mentor us through some of the steps in exchange for cash, food (we're great cooks), beer, laundry, or housecleaning. Our dog has already grown partial to the back seat of this machine, though he still keeps looking for us to get out on the other side of the car! Kim

You folks are wonderful! Already we are pondering accessing the tools and giving this a whirl. We had just bought tickets for Burning Seed up north for the coming holiday weekend, and are now trusting that fate will provide us a way to carpool up for that event. We are getting nervous, as the 4k ride back from the mechanics results in massive steam coming off the engine. Fearing there may be more than just the gasket involved. But the pointers here will get us through the odyssey. More as the onion gets peeled (or however you say that in gear speak) Kim & James and the hopeful dog Baci

I'm a minister of the Universal Life Church from back in the States, which is basically a non-denominational way for people to be able to act as clergy who feel the call but do not ascribe to a particular dogma. I am also involved with Religious Science, which is NOT Scientology, more like the Church of Oprah (if you or the missus has ever seen her spirituality shows) which encourages a connection with God but, again, without the need for dogma, rules, or eternal damnation (hell is another matter, as I think it exists right here on Earth). I have learned that a church has to be officially recognized here in Australia (neither of these churches are on the magic list from Canberra), which means I cannot perform weddings until I get a civil celebrants license. I guess I better get after that so I can afford the parts or a new ride! These pointers are all great, by the way, and the hubby and I will be pondering much tonight. I haven't had to do much engine work over the years, other than to tweak the points on the four banger in my boat (also sold back in the States) when they would vibrate out of kilter. The cost of living here, however, is kicking us in the arse so we may have to add some new skills.

We are new migrants from the USA, had to basically give away our 2 vehicles there, and thought we had found a great deal on a 1991 SECA liftback with under 195000 kms, good maintenance records, from a nice family (was the girls' car, bought from an older lady who maintained it like nuts). We've had it for less than a month, took a big drive up to Copacabana beach from Normanhurst, all great, then it overheats on a trip to the CBD. We put a new thermostat and radiator in it (the radiator was obviously cracked under the cap). All to no avail. Seemed like coolant getting into the engine (sudden yucky white smoke, and I reviewed the topics here carefully). Sure enough, mechanic confirms, we need a new head gasket. Also need testing to make sure it holds pressure and is not cracked. Have no confirmation about that at this point. Mechanic is quoting about $1500 for the fix (assuming all the rest tests fine). We realize this is probably right for retail repair costs (head gasket kit around $400-$600 according to posts here). However, we only paid $650 for the vehicle. Have another $550 in for the radiator and thermostat. We only want the vehicle for trips with the dog (can't use trains, busses, or taxis with a dog in this country), going to the beach, going camping. We are grown ups and know how not to drive a car into the dirt. The vehicle itself is in sweet shape otherwise for being 20 years old....interior, exterior, A/C. Plus these 'rollas have a better reputation than most of the used cheap cars around Sydney. I would appreciate other members' thoughts--save up the $$ and do it, sell for parts, donate, find a shade tree mechanic (I hope they are called that in AU) who can do it for less, pretend we're not a minister and scientist and learn how to do it ourselves??? Thanks for any help. AE92 Engine, 1.6 L 3spd Automatic. Timing belt done at 100K. I hope those are the relevant details. Kim & James and their sad dog Baci