Started on maintenance...

Well, I finally got a chance to start on some maintenance projects on my ‘95 Taco... 2.7, 5-speed, 4x4. 149,000 miles.

still waiting for a few items to arrive, so I couldn’t get in too deep. It’s been too cold in garage lately for enjoyable wrenching at night (~50 degrees inside the garage, brrrr).

I changed the gear oil in my transmission . Used Lucas synthetic. Drained old oil, and it was clean and clear, perhaps my brother had changed it ?

I was worried about the drain and fill plugs being stuck, but absolutely no problems there. Even though I am still waiting for gear oil to arrive, I still cracked loose the fill and drains for the transfer case and the rear end. No problems on those 4 plugs either.

moving to the front diff, fill plug broke loose easily.. on to the drain. WTF? 12mm internal hex? I only had up to a 10mm, so I wasn’t able break that loose... need to buy the right tool.

but at least all the other plugs loosen easily. I snugged back up.

I ordered gear oil from Amazon, and the package has been delayed. No anticipate date, oh but I can cancel and reorder? All my other orders have had no delays. Just regular Dino oil, Valvaline 75w90 GL4/GL5 ( whatever is called for). I have used this oil in many vehicles. I only plan on maybe 1000 miles per year.

grease and oil on the skid plates, and bottom of front diff, but no gear oil smell. Also slight motor oil smell after driving 10+ minutes.

my brother mentioned a valve cover leak. I thought he had it fixed, but no receipts ( and he passed away so He isn’t answering me).

I have a new valvecover gasket, and I’ll replace it after I check valve lash, maybe next week.

 

So then I decided to look at the wiper/washer bottle.

severely cracked neck . I bought the $30 replacement, but it mounts where the cruise control unit goes... so I returned that. Then I found a YouTube video, $5 repair!

I picked up a two part epoxy kit and proceeded to remove the washer bottle . After watching the video, I was worried about snapped bolts, but everything disassembled easily.

the neck is a different type of plastic, very brittle, lots of cracks and missing chunks... the top area actually started crumbling, but the top ring ( where lid snaps) was okay.

instead of a reinforcing clothe ( fiberglass), I do fund a thin plastic bottle with a similar size and used that as pieces to cover the cracked areas. Epoxied those pieces in place. After hardening, I checked and no leaks!

hot it all reinstalled and added some fluid... and drip, drip, drip...

Augh!

pull it back out and checked, turns out the bottle is now okay, but it’s the rubber 180-degree elbow that attaches to the pump, it had a split.

So I pulled, cleaned and sealed with bathroom caulking. Hope it holds for a while. I need to go to Toyota for a replacement, as online Toyota part diagrams don’t seem to show this assembly

 

Replace your front diff drain 12mm hex with this -

 

IF my front diff drain is stuck, then I’ll probably get the Lexus part...

If it comes out easily, then I’ll keep it, backyard I will have already bought the tool to get it out.

I don’t know why, but so far I haven’t had any problems with fasteners that aren’t easily removed...

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it...

but thanks, I saw that plug mentioned on several other threads... I don’t have a local Lexus dealer, so I’ll need to see how much with shipping... maybe if I am over near the nearest dealership someday... under $10 total, no problem. $10-$20, I’ll have to think about it, especially if I don’t have problems.

I might pick up the tool today, and see if it will crack loose easily... that will help the decision...

 

Just scrape out any and all dirt and grime from the plug before going at it.

Whack it a few times on the surface.

I used a 12mm hex with 1/2" drive and breaker bar to get mine to break loose -



10mm hex worked well with the 3/8" drive as the torque spec is a lot lower.

 

mine was already pretty clean inside, so the hex went in easy, and pretty deep.

Took some force with my 15” beaker bar, but nothing crazy. I’d estimate 45-50 ft-lbs (compared to 75-80 got lug nuts). Really quick, I just laid down on the driveway and 2 minutes later I was washing my hands. I already had the skid plates off. Cracked loose, but spun smooth after.

I broke it loose, and spun it out about 1/8 turn, then snugged it back up... I am just going to keep this drain plug now that I have the tool...

Is it because it’s rust free California?

damn Amazon lost my gear oil... they are sending more, but they were just going to ship standard ( I did the “ free shipping when you spend $25” deal)... new order would be here Feb 6... I argued that they should pay for the faster shipping, because they lost it, and they finally agreed. We’ll see...

original ordered on 18th, supposed to arrive like the 23rd, but like the 20th they were already saying it would be delayed. A bunch of other stuff arrived on time, just the gear oil and a bracelet for my daughter...

so all 8 fill and drain plugs loosened easily.
Whew, I had a nightmare after reading a lot of threads on stuck drain and fill plugs.

I picked up one of those Slippery Pete pumps, worked pretty well, easy but I counted about 160 pump cycles for each quart.

 

You'll need these
Rexka 12pcs Transfer & Differential Service Gasket Kit Compatible with Toyota Lexus 4Runner Land Cruiser Tundra Tacoma FJ Cruiser Highlander RAV4 Sequoia Sienna 1215710010 9043024003 90430A0003

$6 Rexka 12pcs Transfer & Differential Service Gasket Kit Compatible with Toyota Lexus 4Runner Land Cruiser Tundra Tacoma FJ Cruiser Highlander RAV4 Sequoia Sienna 1215710010 9043024003 90430A0003

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CJHTDVV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_53JM7PZG2RWZ60T699EJ

 

I picked up that exact set.

a little confused because 4 of the gaskets are the solid aluminum ( as expected), six others are sort of “hollow”.

not sure where these go or how they should be oriented.

also unsure where the larger ones go...

 

haha that 50 sounds great! If I had the room And that temp I’d be getting all kinda of things done !

 

Crush washer in pic are for differential plugs. Flat copper is for hex plug. Flat aluminum for Tcase and transmission.. You'll be able to tell by old ones or plug sealing face diameter.

 

Replace the old washers with the same type (only new).

 

Thanks .
Yeah I only pulled and replace the transmission plugs so far, and they just had the flat aluminum washers on them.

so really the 4 flats are for transmission and transfer case ( aluminum housings), so the crush washers are got the diffs with steel/iron ( both reared and the front fill?) while the large copper are the front drain hex?

so if I have 6 crush washers and 2 large coppers, that’s two sets... but only four flat washers, only one set...

I am pretty sure the extras will be lost before I need them again...

thanks again

 

Well,
Got all the gear oil replaced. Pretty easy job. No drain or fill plugs were stuck (you guys had me worried). I also flushed the coolant 4 times, draining the block each time. Filled with Distilled water each fill. Last batch I drove 275 miles with just the distilled water. Drained and then final fill, added a bottle of redline Water Wetter and a gallon of coolant concentrate (I got the Peak brand Asian red/pink), and then topped off with distilled water.

1995 (95.5) 2.7, so no valve in the block, just a 17mm pipe plug... Surprisingly easy to get to, but makes a mess with the axle and cross-member right below

All these years I never knew about that cool no-spill funnel kit... That worked great!

Steam cleaned the block and under carriage and the skid plates today... Not sure when I'll get them reinstalled... Sucked fluid from the master cylinder and topped off with new, but didn't have time to flush...

Almost done.

Spoke with a mechanic that did the last smog and oil change in 2017. He changed the fuel filter then too ( I bought a new one, but was dreading that job)... He also diagnosed my P0402 trouble code (excessive EGR flow). Turns out it is the Vacuum Switch Valve in the intake (green one).. I have one on order (Aisin brand)...

 

Just coming across your thread. Welcome to TacomaWorld and sorry about the brother. Looks like you're really moving along with the maintenance, very cool.

California Tacos = no stuck fasteners (well, except for maybe the OxSensor studs lol)

Good solution on the washer filler neck. Like everyone else, mine was cracked to hell as well. I just did a quick wrap of it with fusion tape. So far so good. Will replace it at some point.