Are parts for a Toyota Raum 1997 the same as a Toyota Corolla?

ANSWER : Hello, thanks for writing in. The Toyota Raum is a different vehicle platform then the Corolla, and therefore mostly use different components. The Raum comes equipped with a 1.5 liter 1NZ engine, which was found in one trim of Japanese spec Corollas, and as such may use a few of the same engine parts, however it is unlikely that the parts you listed will be the same. Hope this helps and best of luck.

ANSWER : Hi there. As long as the engines in the two Toyota’s are identical in size and configuration, the compatibility of the two transmissions should work, however there are some risks with swapping out a transmission on an older vehicle like your 88 Corolla. The correct way to complete this service is also installing new drive axles and supporting hardware within the driveline. However, the head gasket repair is often a trap, as the reason most head gaskets fail is due to an overheating issue, which typically damaged the cylinder head itself, internal components like pistons, connecting rods and more. If finding a newer car is not in the cards as the moment, the best investment would be the transmission swap.

ANSWER : Yes. This is very possible, but it is not the same process as turning a Yukon into a Denali. A Yukon is already a Denali, just with a few different options and badging. What you are proposing is much more complicated. Yes, they are both Corolla’s, but they are still very different cars. A project like this will take many man hours, a ton of problem solving, creativity, money and perseverance. A 2016 will retain almost none of the parts from an older Corolla, so everything will be custom fit. Most everything on the Danali conversion will be direct bolt in.

You can buy newer designed components from wrecking yards if you want to update it. Wrecking yards frequently have newer wrecked vehicles that the insurance company has totaled. Use the motor and trans from one and put it into your older Corolla. Pull all the computer and wiring harnesses as well and install them into the older Corolla. It is possible, but unlikely that any of this will bolt in directly like the Denali, but that is normal for a project such as this.

It is absolutely possible, but many people underestimate the amount of time, effort and money it will take to accomplish such a project. Usually this sort of thing will take years to complete. You are engineering and designing a complex machine. This is no small feat. So if you take on the project, be prepared to persevere.

Good luck.

ANSWER : Hi there. Assuming that both engines are the same size, the compatibility of "fitting" should be OK. However, since this is a service we don’t offer, we’re not best suited to provide the best advice on this. I can tell you that a common problem have with replacing motors is communication with the ECU. In most cases, it will require reprogramming by a specialist in order for all the systems to work correctly.

ANSWER : I did an initial search from Oreily’s auto parts, and it seems to indicate these two years use different parts. If you want to double check this, the best thing to do in this situation is to call your local pars store and ask them to cross reference the parts. This sort of thing is part of every part store’s computer system. You can also get in touch with YourMechanic customer service and they will be able to help you source the part and give you a quote on a cooling fan replacement service.

ANSWER : You can absolutely specify that only OEM genuine Toyota replacement parts be used. OEM parts are often much better but of course they are usually more costly. An additional option is you may procure your own OEM parts. In particular, anybody can buy genuine OEM Toyota parts on the Internet these days at about 20-25% off list prices so you can procure your own parts and simply book a certified mechanic from YourMechanic to install those OEM parts and perform associated repairs. If procuring your own parts, when reviewing your quote online, open the “price breakdown” tab, and click on “parts options.” From there, you can choose to remove all the parts from your quote. Please note that when you provide your own parts, YourMechanic does not extend to you a service warranty. If you desire that your timing belt and associated components be replaced by a certified Mechanic, dispatched by YourMechanic right to your location, please request timing belt replacement and the responding certified mechanic will get this taken care of for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

ANSWER : It is statistically unlikely that you had, at the same time, BOTH a leaking condenser and a leaking compressor on a 6 year old vehicle with only 50,000 miles. Indeed, the fact that after replacement of those two parts, the system just continued to leak substantiates the unlikeliness. As a consumer, the only way to proceed in the type of scenario you are describing is to ask the mechanic to identify (prove to you) the leak source using an Electronic Leak Detector, preferably what is known as an "infrared leak detector," which is foolproof, so that you can determine if the mechanic has made a valid, and thus usable, diagnosis. It is your right to see the source of the leak with your own eyes. If that confirmation was omitted, that explains why this repair has gone off the rails.

Obviously, you have a large leak, in fact the largest of them all as AC leaks are classified, and a point is large leaks are the EASIEST to find and demonstrate. The question is why wasn’t the large leak found the very first time around? Furthermore, the mechanic should NOT have recharged the AC system, nor even merely contemplate recharging the system once all the refrigerant leaked out after the new compressor and condenser were installed. He should not have further wasted your money by recharging because he must have known that the leak still exists! How could he not know? He replaced the compressor and condenser and subsequently according to your account all of the refrigerant leaked out again! So, he re-charging a system that STILL had an obvious leak. Instead of recharging the system, he should have simply used standard leak detection methods, identified the leak and fixed it. It is obvious from your description of the events that the Mechanic is wasting your time and money.

With regard to your question about the dashboard, there are two heat exchangers in your a/c system, one is referred to as the "condenser" (in front of car near radiator), and the other is called the "evaporator." The evaporator is in the dash, in the passenger compartment, but the evaporator would have to be carefully leak tested BEFORE any thought is given to replacing it. On a 2010 vehicle, a Toyota no less, with only 50,000 miles (my Toyota is 26 years old and has 170,000 miles; I still have my ORIGINAL evaporator, never had a problem with it), I would be surprised to encounter a leaking evaporator but, regardless, the bottom line is has the Mechanic leak tested the evaporator and what were the results? If not, or if he did test it but did not show you conclusive EVIDENCE of a leak, it would obviously be irrational to switch out the evaporator.

If you want my advice at this point, hire a competent mechanic who will just simply get the a/c system repaired without any further nonsense. YourMechanic has specialists in A/C systems and you can avail yourself of their expertise. Finally, with regard to monies already spent on a repair that has turned out to be useless, you have a right to complain and seek recovery. There is no reason for your A/C system to have not been completely and fully repaired during your very FIRST encounter with the Mechanic. Indeed a/c systems are amongst the least complex and "limited" systems in the vehicle. It should have been repaired, without doubt, the first time around.

ANSWER : Hi there. The part numbers that you have provided are for the left and the right. There is a difference in the two parts as they operate slightly different from each other. It is best to take the parts to your local parts store and have them cross reference the parts to get your replacement parts. You may even have to make a visit to a dealership or a OEM parts store. If you need further assistance with your variable valve timing solenoid replacement, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.