update on the crusty Rav4... took it to the shop last week to have both radiator hoses and heater hoses replaced (upper radiator hose had a bulging soft spot..), also replaced serpentine belt and tensioner and drained and refilled center diff (or power takeoff unit). The center diff was very difficult to get to without a lift so I outsourced that relatively easy job.
Replaced the pcv valve and one of the 2 pcv hoses last week, too. PCV valve was not operating correctly, big surprise...
This morning in my garage I replaced 2 of the 3 rubber exhaust / muffler hangers (old ones cracked and dry rotted). 3rd one should arrive this week. Very easy job but something the shop would probably charge me $100 USD for. I bought the 3 rubber hangers for about $15 USD.
Also changed the fluid in the rear differential. It was a challenge to break both overtightened, rusty fill and drain plugs loose. It helped to continually hammer in the 10 mm hex bit to help break the bond. Lots of 'muck' on the magnetic drain plug.
Still on the 'to do' list: trans fluid change, replace spark plugs, replace valve cover gasket, replace power steering fluid, oil and filter change (was recently done by previous owner but I always want to do my own). VVT solenoid o ring change...probably intake gasket replacement....and then start working through all the old, hard vacuum lines and other hoses underhood.
Oh, new tires will be coming this Fall...and I'm sure more things that I'll discover need fixing.
car still needs a full exterior detail (clay, polish, wax) and rusty underside parts will need a good wire wheel cleaning and then will get soaked down in Fluid Film to slow the future rust.
