updates
3/2/22
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-Passed smog, using the o2 extension/defouler trick. When the o2 sensor is extended out of the exhaust path, it no longer throws a P0420 code. In fact, the Catalyst Monitor cleared in only 5 miles of driving. Finally I get legal tags and title in the savage smog state of California. Someday I may just gut the primary cat because based on what I have seen others have going on in the corolla forum it is probably half plugged and robbing me of 30+HP (kidding LOL), but still.
-Installed LED fog light bulbs ($20). They are more "white" than the halogen bulbs, but the housings are so pitted that difference is not amazing. I think after I get the bumper painted I will put clean housings on to take advantage of the extra brightness.
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I picked up a aluminum jack from Harbor Freight so that I can finally climb under the car. My 3 Ton jack that I purchased late last year was stolen and I have been without since. The 3 ton jack was great for lifting but way too heavy to use daily and keep in the trunk of my car. So I went with the 1.5 ton for $99.
-Drained and filled the automatic trans fluid. The fluid was absolutely gross. I wanted to do a "flush" where I would drain it from the return lines and keep adding new fluid, but I forgot my hose connections to do it. So a simple drain and fill will have to do. 3 Quarts came out and I put 2.5 because that was all I had left. The interesting thing is that the old fluid was very thin like dirty water. I have drained many dirty transmissions in my day, but this fluid seemed not quite right.
I will do another drain and fill when I change the oil again. Everybody I talked to, even my transmission guy, told me to not change the fluid. But, I like being a rebel LOL. I can't drive around with black nasty fluid. If it kills the transmission fine, I will go out with a bang. I would rather know now rather than later if there is a serious internal problem. After a quick test drive, I would argue that it shifts a tiny bit better. But, as we all know, your mind tricks you into thinking there is an improvement.
While I was under there I went ahead and looked at this leak on the exhaust side of the engine. Even though I attempted to wash back there, there is still oil or something everywhere around the power steering pump. Getting a fresh look from the bottom, it is higher than the pump. Again I blame the timing chain tensioner o ring but it is hard to see. Now that I have the jack, I should do an engine wash again but with it jacked up so I can reach those areas and get it fully clean.
I used Valvoline high mileage synthetic ATF ($17 a gallon) which I use in all of my cars (honda toyota and nissan).