The Toyota Corona D, a familiar face on New Zealand roads, earned its reputation as a dependable and economical vehicle. This wiki provides valuable information for Corona D owners, covering common maintenance points, potential issues, and general ownership advice to help keep your vehicle running smoothly.
Owners of the Toyota Corona D should be aware of potential issues that may arise with age and mileage. Automatic transmission problems are a known weakness. Rear suspension bushes can wear, affecting handling and ride quality. Corrosion, particularly in the strut towers, is another area to keep an eye on. These issues typically become more prevalent between 150,000 and 250,000 kilometers.
When taking your Corona D for a Warrant of Fitness (WOF) inspection, be prepared for the inspector to pay close attention to the lower ball joints for wear. Rust around the windscreen and rear wheel arches is also a common area of concern.
Driving and Maintaining Your Corona D
The Toyota Corona D is known for its practicality, and with the right maintenance, can provide years of reliable service. Here's what you need to know:
Essential Maintenance
Regular maintenance is key to preserving your Corona D. Items like the air filter, drive belt (alternator), and brake shoes (rear) should be inspected and replaced as needed. Keeping an eye on the disc brake rotor (front) and ensuring timely replacement is also critical for safety. Other important components to monitor include the exhaust valve, oil seal (camshaft end), and oil seal (transmission/gearbox front input). The valve cover bolt seal/washer should also be checked to prevent leaks. Consider the reverse lamp switch, switch stop light, and temperature sensor/sender (coolant) as part of routine inspections.
For cooling system maintenance, the thermo fan switch should be checked for proper operation.
Timing Belt
The timing belt idler is an important component in older vehicles, ensuring the timing belt functions correctly. Listen for any odd noises, which could indicate a problem with the system potentially leading to engine failure if not maintained promptly.
Clutch System
If equipped with a manual transmission, pay attention to the condition of the clutch slave cylinder. Stiff or dragging clutches would point to the need to perform maintenance promptly.
Suspension
Be mindful of the shocks / strut rear. These parts play a crucial role in ride comfort and handling. Inspect them regularly for leaks or excessive wear.