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Toyota Echo

5804 messages,  Last post on May 10, 2013 at 3:02 AM

You are in the Toyota Echo Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota ECHO, Sedan

Messages Page 508 of 581

#5066 of 5804 Re: Recall Link? [pat] by nippononly

Jul 23, 2006 (12:12 am)

Replying to: pat (Jul 22, 2006 8:11 am)
You can call Toyota and give them your VIN to see if you are included in the recall. And since it affects a total of only 24,000 North American Echos and Yarii, it is most certainly NOT all 2001 and 2002 Echos, far from it.
 
Remember, unless you are the original owner and have not moved, or have taken steps to register your address with Toyota as a current owner, you will not get a recall letter! It would be easier to just call them and ask if you are included.

#5067 of 5804 Timing Chain by babyboomer

Jul 25, 2006 (5:57 am)

When should the timing chain on the Echo be replaced?

#5068 of 5804 timing chain by kneisl1

Jul 25, 2006 (7:00 am)

There isnt a timeline for replacing the timing chain. Its not like a belt. When a timing chain goes bad the engine runs lousy and makes a lot of noise. Why do you ask? Is there a problem with your ECHO that might be TC related?

#5069 of 5804 Re: timing chain [kneisl1] by babyboomer

Jul 26, 2006 (5:02 am)

Replying to: kneisl1 (Jul 25, 2006 7:00 am)
I could not find anything in the manual about replacing the timing chain. A friend with an old 100,000+ Camry had timing chain failure so I was curious. My mechanic and you correctly told me not to worry about it. Thanks.

#5070 of 5804 valves by kneisl1

Jul 26, 2006 (7:00 am)

Well have you checked your valves adjustments? If your ECHO has 60 k miles on it the manual says to check the valve adjustment. Its easy to check the clearances but hard to actually adjust them should that be necessary. You didnt say how many miles on your ECHO but Im guessing its getting up there.

#5071 of 5804 you know by nippononly

Jul 26, 2006 (7:31 am)

when a timing chain is beginning to go, because for six months beforehand it is very noisy, sounding just like you would think a loose chain would sound. They give you lots of warning, but you do have to listen to the engine once in a while.
 
Alternatively, you can have the car serviced and inspected every 15K miles or so, and the mechanic will catch it if the chain is beginning to wear out and need replacement.

#5072 of 5804 Re: valves [kneisl1] by babyboomer

Jul 27, 2006 (3:17 am)

Replying to: kneisl1 (Jul 26, 2006 7:00 am)
My Echo has 65,500 miles. No warning noises. Mechanic said all is okay and that the Echo is like a tank: it takes a lot of abuse and still keeps going.

#5073 of 5804 Abuse by kneisl1

Jul 27, 2006 (3:28 am)

65k miles doesnt appear to be even breathing hard for the ECHO. I wouldnt imagine the timing chain would need any attention for possibly 125-150K miles. If you are thinking of making your ECHO a long term project, may I suggest to have the valve clearances inspected at this time though. Its almost a DIY to CHECK the clearances and if they are OK then thats all thats necessary. What you are looking for at this point is a clearance that is too TIGHT. A tight valve can lead to a valve with NO clearance and that means it will be held open in the cumbustion chamber during ignition. This will result in a burned valve. Your car wont pass emissions, will get worsening gas mileage, and will eventually need an expensive valve job. (probably resulting in selling the car)
   I can walk you through checking the valves no problem.

#5074 of 5804 Re: Abuse [kneisl1] by babyboomer

Jul 28, 2006 (5:54 am)

Replying to: kneisl1 (Jul 27, 2006 3:28 am)
Echo will be a long term project. Waiting on checking valve clearances instructions. Thanks.

#5075 of 5804 Whats Involved Checking Valve Clearances by kneisl1

Jul 28, 2006 (6:45 am)

This message is just whats involved in doing the check. Ill get more specific when I have a look at the service manual this weekend. Ive been thinking of checking mine this fall (when it gets cooler) even though the car has only 33k miles in it (after six years). I can get really specific after that.
   To check the valves you need to remove the black plastic valve cover (four 10mm acorn nuts), the spark plugs, (so you can turn the engine over easily), and the metal valve cover itself. Ive never removed mine myself so I cant tell you whats involved right now, but it should be easy. The main thing to think about is putting it back on so it doesnt leak afterwards. I would suggest delaying putting back the black plastic one for a week or so (engine wil run fine without it) to make it easy to ensure there are no oil leaks.
  Once the valve cover is off, youll see the cams. There are 16 valves to check. Youll need a feeler gauge to check the clearances, about $5 at pep Boys or a similiar store. I dont know what the actual clearances are without looking at the book. Ill get to that another time. There are two rows of valves. The intake valves are the ones nearest the FRONT of the engine. The exhaust valves are the ones nearest the REAR of the engine. To check the clearance, you will rotate the engine so the cam of that valve is pointing UP (or nearly so it doesnt have to be PERFECTLY up) You can do this by putting a wrench or socket on the nut in the center of the alternator pulley. Or just pull on the belt like I do. The spark plugs must be OUT to do this. You will check each valve and write the result on a piece of paper. I like to make 16 circles in two parallel rows of eight (just like the valves are laid out on the engine) and write each valve in the corresponding circle. Ill get more specific how to do this another time.
   Right now you need to know why you are doing all this. You are looking for a tight clearance on an exhaust valve. It almost doesnt matter what the intake valve clearances are. (as long as theyre not zero or really out of wack which is RARE) The exhaust valve clearances can be too loose (even out of spec loose) but there CANNOT be too little clearance. The result of that is eventually a burned valve. This is what you are looking for a tight exhaust valve.
   Now a word about checking valve clearances. It is unusual to find valves clearances out of spec. They are probably fine. But if you DO find one really wrong, dont freak out. Thats what the check is for. You can have the dealer adjust it and all will be well. The WORST thing is NOT checking the clearances and having a tight exhuast vlave go undetected. That would mean an expensive valve job at some point.
   Thats enough for now. Ill check what the values are for the exhaust and intake valves tonite in the service manual.

Messages Page 508 of 581

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