Well there is no trade in value on a car that old but it will help sell it to someone were one can start the car with out the emergency starting system.
Hi, I came for a lesson in engine repair/maintenance and I walked away with a reinforcement of why the term 'body maintenance' is more than mere marketing jargon. Up here in Ontario, my 2005 is coming through its 18th winter rust-free because it gets an annual treatment of a credible rustproofing product. To be fair, I learned the rustproofing lesson the painful and expensive way. 😳Preventative rustproofing is cheap while body repair or replacement of mechanically solid vehicles is very, very expensive. Good luck with your search for a replacement. 😁
Yep... rust... every time. As a fellow rust-belter, I sometimes imagine what it would be like to replace a vehicle because you wanted to, not had to...
Same. Every Fall, I pull the plugs from my rocker panels and spray a can of fluid film or berkebile Protection first class, in hopes I can preserve the structural integrity of the rocker panels and avoid what Wes’ car experienced…not sure how effective that is…those and brake lines…. I hate replacing rusty brake lines. ‘10 civic smells like sheep every Fall, but hopefully will hold up from rusting.
Yea, next truck is gonna be one of the aluminum body fords. I just found a nice hole in the bottom of my truck cab… I thought it was just the paint flaking off…. Nope it’s the body falling off.
I live in the Salt Belt, and couldn't agree more! I often question myself as to why I live where owning a car is pretty much TEMPORARY. I dream of moving south and owning a vehicle long enough to actually WEAR IT OUT. I ALSO HATE LIFTING CARS BY THE PINCH WELDS FOR THIS EXACT REASON.. I ALWAYS choose structural suspension points, to lift by.
@@HouseCallAutoRepair i wonder if those would have been still structural enough. But I also ever so often wondered, why in the world they put the lift points onto a part that looks like it might fold over any time.
I predict that Wes will find and buy a low mileage used vehicle with a transmission issue, tow it in, fix it up just fine and get several great videos out of it to boot. Go Wes 👍.
The most important trait to have in driving older/high mileage vehicles is knowing when to throw in the towel due to cost or safety. Good job Wes, a lot of folks with your wrenching skills would have missed this.
The perfect 10 minute video: humor, triumph, sadness, and a moral at the end about throwing good money after bad (and that even a wise man can make a bad call)!
Wes you make working on Cars and Trucks fun! Thanks for everything Wes. P.S. Your wife is the one with the newest vehicle. Mine has a newer sport utility vehicles every 3 years. I drive a 2004 Sebring with 285,705 miles. It's totally unsafe with rust everywhere. It won't DIE! Last couple of years I decided not to change oil again. It's junk but it still runs!😊👍
Gotta put wifey and kiddos in the best ya can. One, hate to hear complaints, two, if something ever happened because of safety...well, if ya know, ya know. 🙏🏻
I used to have a 1996 5 speed manual Saturn wagon with over 300,000 miles on it that made yours look mint. When you opened the rear doors, you could see clear down to the pavement because the rockers were quite literally gone. Around turns, the body would flex like a fishing rod, but it still took all those clutch drops surprisingly well somehow. I miss that old thing... most fun I ever had for $200.
Totally understand that you don’t want to do a crap ton of work on your own vehicle. None of the rest of us want to bring our work home with us either!!!!!
My Wife Loves the System as Well, I try not to think about it too much😄😄. Great Explanation of the Emergency Starting Procedures and the Reasonings behind the Method Wes
I have a degree in Economics, and I wholeheartedly endorse your description of "trickle-down economics"! I also have a 2005 Toyota Tundra with just 110,000 miles. The stock "stainless steel" exhaust system rusted out, so it was replaced with a new "stainless steel" exhaust. Same thing happened to the brake calipers - so the brake system was replaced. A valet blew up a spider gear in the front differential, so it has a rebuilt front differential. I pull a towhauler with it, so it has airbags in the rear suspension. It works well, a new replacement would be around $80k, so I simply can't bear (afford?) to part with it.
Small drilled hole in firewall,some left over washer fluid hose and a loose parts tool box drawer junk screw, duct tape hose to shifter. Your golden. (Yeah, too bad beer can crash test failed)
Wes you seem to entertain me on all your videos. Even the mundane ones like this. LOL - "Time to go Ipod shopping". Yes Sir. Seeing that rust fall onto your shop floor gets me in the feels, I just got rid of a 2004 Buick LeSabre with the same problem. Had it for 8 years. You just can't know the day you realize it ahead of time. It's a melancholy feeling at best. Thanks for taking us along. even if it's a bittersweet story
Not the ending I expected but ultimately the right call when they are that far gone. The BIG question is what will replace it, that's what I'll be waiting for!
My 2003 Matrix has over 300K miles… just drove it from Southern California to Oregon and back. Since it has been in the south west all it’s life no rust issues.
I really like your sense of humor. Especially the "trickledown economics." great lesson to determine when to fix a car and when to let it go. God bless you with your vehicle purchase.
I've fixed a lot of these rocker issues. It takes only a couples of hours to make it structually like brand new. I'm sure you have the skill and talent to do it. Rust can be always replaced with good metal with a welder and prep
I remember learning the fuel injection temperature sensor lesson as a young man I had a Cherokee I bought that someone replaced the factory gauge with a mechanical gauge in there attempt to fix the overheating it ran fine till winter then it wouldn't run right took me about 2 months to figure out it was the temp sensor
It is OK Wes. At least your wife can get around in the Golf!!! Salt and rust is a never ending battle. Around my neighborhood, the brine solution they spread on the roads is just the worst. Eats everything!
Try some mag-chloride. Slippery as snot on the roads at its limits. It does rinse off, and it eats chrome and aluminum worse than sodium 🧂 chloride. Calcium chloride....well.
I have an '04 RAV with almost as many miles as yours. Transmission leak, worn out suspension, windshield leaks, block heater doesn't work, and it's starting to rust and burn some oil. But the darn thing still starts at -40 (it lives outside in Alberta) and just won't die. It recently celebrated 400,000 km (about 250,000 miles) by turning the check engine light on for the first time.
I've just sold my 1999 rav4 for £400. It was tired and used by me as a gardening vehicle for a decade. It was brilliant but I needed more space for work. Plus the whole exhaust needed doing and it would have cost a lot. My mechanic said that outside the uk(ie no mot) it would go another ten years and I believe him. It started on the button every time and was surprisingly good off road. Love the videos mate. Paul
Its so common in your area and those that use so much salt that rust out before their normal wear and tear takes place. The rust really accelerates the demise of so many vehicles in the high use salt areas. Well, good luck Wes on getting a new ride. Really enjoy your video's!!! Happy Easter!!!
My first experience in trickle down economics was six months after we married. My bride borrowed my Mustang because it was humid and hot. Her car was a metal oil drum on wheels with no air. Then a 4 door when we had children, then minivan wash and repeat.
This amazes me, seeing some of the vehicles on the road in the USA rust wise...here in New Zealand that Rav of Wes's would have been ordered off the road 10 years ago..any rust here and you vehicle often has to be professionally welded and certified to pass it's safety inspection. So glad Wes instantly thought of the safety side of it!
Not too many rockers on older cars in Canada rust belt area Just weld some steel in and you are all good. That is what I am going to do. Because locale CTC store is afraid to lift it
Please take us shopping with you, especially if you buy a second hand one. It would be good to see what you look for in a second hand car, and what you are willing to fix yourself given the price point you are looking at. Otherwise, just show us what you bought if new, and if second hand, take us for the ride with whatever service you do to it. I always do oils, all filters including the cabin filter, and if there are any zrks, grease them. I also check the brake (& clutch fluid on a manual), if they are discoloured, I replace them, If there is no service history I replace them regardless. I check the brakes & rotors, if the pads need replacing or they are cheap & nasty ones, I replace them & do the brake fluid regardless of whether it looks good or not, or was recently changed. My labour is free, and I really do like brakes.
I saw the temp gauge as soon as you turned the key on but figured you had gotten it started and warmed it up prior to turning on the camera. I wonder how many people would have thrown a fuel pump at this problem? iPods with wheels is classic! So true.
reminds me of when my dad wanted to trade in his Peugeot 404 in the 80s and it was so rusty the dealer wouldn't put it on the lift because they were worried it'd fall apart. The interior was pretty much the only thing that held it together in the end - but he had it for 25-ish years, drove close to 400,000 km, and it never needed any service beyond the occasional oil, tires, and the other normal consumables
Wes, if I lived in your environment I would be painting the underside of my car every year with wax oil, great video as usual, I always learn something from you, thank you.
Makes absolutely no sense why all these people refuse to use fluid film on their cars from the start. If you did that yearly from when the car was new it would last indefinitely.
@James of all things yeahh, I got a recall frame on my tacoma 7 years or so ago and ever since then I've coated it, it still looks great, a few minor spots. It's impossible to stop rust, but can slow it down a lot.
I've seen automatic starting fluid system on a large diesel backup generator. The ether looked like a 1# propane tank on some kind of mount. Far easier than replacing a coolant sensor and iPod shopping.
And i thought you would get some sheets of mild steel and with your army of welders create panels to fit. Perhaps your other half can show you how to do it :)
No need for apologies Wes, it's your rig, and the safety of you and your family are very important.Hopefully whatever you replace it with you can enjoy knowing that it's going to keep you and your kid safe even if it is a semi disposable ipod mobile.
My car had the same problem but it was harder to diagnose because it used 2 temperature sensors, 1 for the dash gauge and other one specifically for the fuel system. The car was injecting so much fuel during cold starts that flooded the cilinders, but after starting it ran completely fine( no codes of course). after connecting a scan tool i found that the sensor was reading coolant temperatures below zero lol
I agree on not wanting an I-Pod car. That is why I am keeping my 300k mile 86 Dodge pickup on the road as long as I can. I do have one advantage, I dont live in the rust belt though. - Jamie
@@MacGyverKilla it's his wife's car. I suppose him let his spouse purchase vehicles because he probably would punch dealer in the face for modern crap he sells 😂.
I know a fellow who was beating around in a 1993 Ford Ranger truck and he showed up in the parking lot of the health club in a new Ford sport truck. He told me that he finally broke down and bought a new one and the grandkids like riding around in "Pop Pops" new truck. Well just like your own family I told him it was a lot safer for his grandkids riding in that new truck than the old one. You have the same issue with the safety and integrity of buying a new "ipod" on wheels.
My condolences to you Wes, it’s hard to part with old, faithful friends. Edit: If you were down here in Texas and that was a Texas vehicle, you’d be changing that oil and enjoying many more miles.
As he said - NO side impact protection left in that thing - AND in the US they have intersections which people legally and happily will blow through doing 64 You don't want to be tboned by someone doing 65 while you are in a car which is in great shape - while a rust coffin like that in that situation will explode in tiny pieces...
@@TheStefanskoglund1 What does that have to do with my comment? As I said, if it were a Texas vehicle, he would be changing the oil in it and driving for many more miles. He wouldn’t be scrapping it because it wouldn’t be rusty and rotten.
@@ralfie8801 ??? Texans is more than mad..... considering how risky that is. or do you mean that salt isn't used in Texas and so the cars will be in better shape and still be 16 years old (as long as the owner didn't drove in salt water with it) ?
@@TheStefanskoglund1 The only place in Texas where the cars are rotten like the one in the video is down on the coast where they might be driven on the beach - a lot, or maybe in the panhandle along I-40. Otherwise there are still vehicles on the road that are 30 - 50 years old that aren’t eaten away like cars from up north. My 2006 Duramax Silverado has over 400K on it and there is no rust on it. Edit: I bought it new, it’s been in the north central part of the state ever since. And clarified my last comment.
i absolutely love this channel, i have learned so much being 19 and a diesel mechanic for fedex i still watch every chance i get to learn something new!!!! keep it up
Wes, you might get lucky and find another rust free unit with a mechanical issue for cheap. you have a great part donor to pick from. Maybe someone might reach out to you from the interweb or youtube. Good luck with your hunt anyway and keep the great content coming. Cheers from Edmonton, Alberta up here in the great white north. :)
The Rot4 has seen it's better days... Good luck on the hunt for a new to you vehicle. Prices are still pretty high. My daily is a 98 K1500, not too horrible of rust.
You hit the issue dead on when buying a new machine of any kind these days. The old ones would would be graciously retired if we could find replacements as good, but we can't. All that is available is, as you say, iPods on wheels. The scary part is that the crappy car we buy today will, in ten years, be the cherished relic of tomorrow because those future cars will be even worse than the ones today.
Wes, you deserve a new safe truck with a back seat for the baby. Just have the vehicle hot dipped in zinc a couple of times. Thanks for the extra vid. 👍 Happy Easter.
You made the right call, Wes. I do understand your hesitation though. Most cars available for purchase these days just have a tablet for a center console, and it's the worst design decision I've ever heard of. And that's not to mention the rest of the issues with the car. It just seems like it's not worth the money.
Just remember where Wes lives, it's not as bad as the PRNY (people's republic of NY). Ask Eric O, they consider it good if it lasts even a decade before it's off to the scrap heap, especially if the salt solution/brine is used all year 'round like where he lives. Seems much of what Wes works on is older, and equally as rusty at times. I'm fortunate I don't have to worry about that where I live. I drive a nearly rust free vehicle from the early 2000's.
Happy new car day, I guess! Sad to see a perfectly good running car to the scrapheap, but at least now you have a valid argument to test how good your tickle-down economics work out for you! 😂 On second thought: you also have recently acquired some nice welders. So, why not put them to good use and get yourself some DOM-tubing and build a nice, sturdy tube frame for this thing? Makes up for great strength and probably cheaper than a new car. I mean, what can a few feet of tube cost? And also you can do it after work in your own shop. For food... I guess... 🤑 But I better stop here, wouldn't want to give your wife too many good ideas...
It's weird seeing so many warning lights on a car that's allowed to drive, here in Sweden having ANY of the warning lights on even if its just a check engine light will automatically fail your vehicle inspection lol, hope you find a less rotted out car to keep alive and nice work as always Wes :P
Tpms doesn't affect to mot, engine light mayby because not deleted code from temp densor. Your "bil tractor or raggabil" culture ain't so mot approved either... Greetings from Fin 😉
@@dot7107 I'm afraid it does Dot .."TPMS checks were added to the MOT test checklist in January 2015 and it can now be an instant MOT fail if the TPMS dashboard light stays on to indicate a fault or problem with the TPMS valves. Many motorists don’t realise this, which has led to thousands of new MOT failures that could have been easily avoided."
Just discovered your channel...it's very informative and helpful! My wife's 2008 Rav4 has 261,699 miles on it and has been consuming so much oil that it fouls out the #2 spark plug within 20 miles or so! I just picked up a "low mile Japanese Import 2.4 and hope we can get another 100,000 or more out if it...thanks for your informative and easy to follow content, not going to lie it was kind of sad to see your rav4 get retired do too the rust issues...i just subscribed and am going to go back and watch the other rav4 videos...keep up the good work!
This tale is DIRECTLY related to the fact that Japan has very strict yearly inspection rules. So much so, there are very few 'used' cars as they're just stripped of all their low-mileage, high value parts that are shipped overseas to keep older cars going in third-world countries with few or no safety rules (such as the US).
Seeing your gas gauge at full reminded me of a man I grew up with. He wouldn't fill his tank up past 1/4 in case it broke down then it would be sitting with all that fuel in the tank.
Trickle down in alive and well here Wes... wife gets new vehicle and I'm still driving our old Saturn Vue with 250K (Honda engine). It too is nearing the end as the body and frame is slowly becoming bluetooth. Keep up the good work!
Repair the rockers, easy fix when you have mig-welder and a warm shop. Not needed buying new junk and spend $ 40-50 k... two days of work welding some new metal and take a vacation instead later on with all the money you saved.
Had a 91 Chrysler sedan. One day I noticed that my left foot wanted to travel a little closer to the tire than it should have. Called the wrecking yard, told them I had a scrap car that wasn't safe for the road; they took it and called the local volunteer FD to do practice with it.
I have learned to use the car washes with under carriage spray when there's salt on the road and its all over my car. I am keeping the salt off the underside of my car as much as I can to try to prevent that. I sacrificed 2 other vehicles to the salt cancer and dont want to destroy any more. illinois roads are very salty in the winter.
It's a shame what the salt does to your vehicles. I was originally from nw Pennsylvania and remember the rust being a problem even just doing brakes. I have lived in Florida since 87 and currently have a 99 Honda CRV that is in amazing rust free condition. You can look underneath and it is as clean as the day it was built. Now don't get me wrong the sun here is hard on paint and interiors but I will take that to the rust any day of the week. Time to retire the Rav4 Wes you and your family's safety is more important than saving a few bucks. As always enjoy your videos along with the added humor keep up the good work and I always learn a thing or two from you as well.
For me it was the coil packs, and its a good thing I kept the old coil packs! After changing out the new coil packs with the old, it starts right up! Mind you the new coil packs had 10k miles.
Loved how you told the story of how you got this ride. I'm also sure Ms. Wes haven't seen this post yet no black eye. Go south young man and get a older pretty rust free ride at least nothing like up there. I feel for all the rust mechanics. Thanks for posting.
Wes, I have a ran when parked 2001 Ranger in my back yard I'd make you a deal on 😁 It has a slight sway back the back bumper is almost rusted off and only what's left of one strap holding the gas tank, but is has a new fuel pump and the AC and 4 wheel drive both work. 😎
I have a 2006 Toyota Camry LE 2.4 that has over 325,000 miles I drive to work , and yes it is showing it's age , but so far it keeps on going ! It is a testament of keeping up with oil and filter changes . The Rav 4 may be worthy of some new rocker panels and some structural sprucing up !
This is not a criticism. Not a passive aggressive comment. Most definitely NOT a "this is what I would have done" comment. I live in the southern Utah high desert, and we simply do not see these rust issues. I have always wondered if there was a way to repair that rot. Can one cut away the rust and junk and weld in new support structure? Would such a repair, if even possible, be worth it? I hope no one takes this the wrong way, it's an honest question from someone who is completely ignorant of these kind of rust issues, not in any way a dig at Wes or anyone else in the rust belt. Pure curiosity. Thanks!
Sad to see it go. Researching the 2AZ-FE oil burning problem is how I found you. Just did a re-ring only on a lifetime Great Lakes 2006 because at 190K it had to be done but also...the same issues as you are only a season or two away if they start driving more.
My 1998 c230 Mercedes hit 266k and I sold it. The sensors were failing, new replacement sensors were often faulty or failed in a short amount of time. Some replacement parts were no longer available in the U.S., many were shipped from Lithuania, but the Merc's body was rust ree and in super shape.
In Canada , this vehicle would be advertised as mint , mechanic owned .
Right? I just wrote it would be good for at least another 10 years (I'm in SK)!
$15000 Firm.
@@davidj4662 No lowballers...I know what I got...
Can confirm. The whole country is a rust belt.
I live in NEW JERSEY our vehicles thrive on Salt and neglect.
2 crank, no start videos in 1 weekend? What a time to be alive!
A true Easter egg. 👍
Disposable iPods with wheels is a perfect description of vehicles made in the last 10 years
That's what got me to using a 69 camaro for a daily driver in the summer :)
@Simr Khera Yeah she is a heavy drinker, lol
I agree all this plastic me old school i like cast iron, push rod, carburetor.
People have been saying that for the last 30 years at least, without seeing the irony.
@@k9under As a bonus, they come pre-hardened against EMP attack. Well at least the ones that kept the stock points and didn't convert to HEI.
The new coolant temp sensor will greatly increase the trade in value.
Well there is no trade in value on a car that old but it will help sell it to someone were one can start the car with out the emergency starting system.
@@billywird there's definitely trade in value on a car that old. People buy RaV 4s like hotcakes. Same with jeeps
I dont think Wes is soo egoistics so that he will sell that rust coffin....
It will go to the scrapper.
@@TheStefanskoglund1 it would unethical not to at least have sold the engine
Wes, you are knocking off all the structural rust!
Also known as load bearing rust
Just replace it with structural bondo that I heard about watching vehcor
Or some structural floor mats….
Yeah we all know where he screwed up after you knock all the rust out your supposed to get the can of foam
@@TomWood60 Be sure and wear your steel-toed flip-flops while applying that structural bondo.
A clever guy like yourself, and a little square tubbing and welding can get you another 100,000 miles good luck with that! thank you ALL stay safe
Square tubing is too expensive. I'm going with steel studs!
The Andrew Camarata rebar repair.
@@TheMetalButcher Don't forge to chainsaw an opening in the dash for the upgraded stereo
It's one thing to risk your own safety but never risk the family's safety. Good call!
Hi, I came for a lesson in engine repair/maintenance and I walked away with a reinforcement of why the term 'body maintenance' is more than mere marketing jargon. Up here in Ontario, my 2005 is coming through its 18th winter rust-free because it gets an annual treatment of a credible rustproofing product. To be fair, I learned the rustproofing lesson the painful and expensive way. 😳Preventative rustproofing is cheap while body repair or replacement of mechanically solid vehicles is very, very expensive. Good luck with your search for a replacement. 😁
It survived 16 years in the rust belt, that in itself is a miracle, so be happy, you did the impossible with it. :D
Yep... rust... every time. As a fellow rust-belter, I sometimes imagine what it would be like to replace a vehicle because you wanted to, not had to...
same! I dream about owning the same vehicle forever
Same. Every Fall, I pull the plugs from my rocker panels and spray a can of fluid film or berkebile Protection first class, in hopes I can preserve the structural integrity of the rocker panels and avoid what Wes’ car experienced…not sure how effective that is…those and brake lines…. I hate replacing rusty brake lines. ‘10 civic smells like sheep every Fall, but hopefully will hold up from rusting.
Yea, next truck is gonna be one of the aluminum body fords. I just found a nice hole in the bottom of my truck cab… I thought it was just the paint flaking off…. Nope it’s the body falling off.
I live in the Salt Belt, and couldn't agree more! I often question myself as to why I live where owning a car is pretty much TEMPORARY.
I dream of moving south and owning a vehicle long enough to actually WEAR IT OUT.
I ALSO HATE LIFTING CARS BY THE PINCH WELDS FOR THIS EXACT REASON.. I ALWAYS choose structural suspension points, to lift by.
@@HouseCallAutoRepair i wonder if those would have been still structural enough. But I also ever so often wondered, why in the world they put the lift points onto a part that looks like it might fold over any time.
I predict that Wes will find and buy a low mileage used vehicle with a transmission issue, tow it in, fix it up just fine and get several great videos out of it to boot. Go Wes 👍.
We live in a world of trickle up economy, Wes. Poor people spend their money and it ends up in rich people's pockets... 🇬🇧👍
This vehicle isnt even rusty. Should see what we drive in Canada
The most important trait to have in driving older/high mileage vehicles is knowing when to throw in the towel due to cost or safety. Good job Wes, a lot of folks with your wrenching skills would have missed this.
The perfect 10 minute video: humor, triumph, sadness, and a moral at the end about throwing good money after bad (and that even a wise man can make a bad call)!
That just about sums it up!
It sure did end happily Wes. Your conscience works, and you did not ignore the facts. Well done Sir! You put safety first over money. OUTSTANDING!!!
Wes you make working on Cars and Trucks fun! Thanks for everything Wes. P.S. Your wife is the one with the newest vehicle. Mine has a newer sport utility vehicles every 3 years. I drive a 2004 Sebring with 285,705 miles. It's totally unsafe with rust everywhere. It won't DIE! Last couple of years I decided not to change oil again. It's junk but it still runs!😊👍
She continues to faithfully serve you in her old age and you repay the kindness by stopping oil changes?
Savage lol
Jerry you apparently are driving a Chrysler Unicorn at 285K - LOL
Sebrings are good cars
Gotta put wifey and kiddos in the best ya can. One, hate to hear complaints, two, if something ever happened because of safety...well, if ya know, ya know. 🙏🏻
That Sebring belongs in the Smithsonian.
"disposable ipod with wheels"..... truer words were never spoken! Best of luck with your next one!
I used to have a 1996 5 speed manual Saturn wagon with over 300,000 miles on it that made yours look mint. When you opened the rear doors, you could see clear down to the pavement because the rockers were quite literally gone. Around turns, the body would flex like a fishing rod, but it still took all those clutch drops surprisingly well somehow. I miss that old thing... most fun I ever had for $200.
I wish you could still buy a running POS car for $200 in the rustbelt
Totally understand that you don’t want to do a crap ton of work on your own vehicle.
None of the rest of us want to bring our work home with us either!!!!!
I’m running a 2011 Camry with 240k miles. I just swapped out the original spark plugs yesterday. Runs like a champ! Keep the ‘yota on the road!!!
What do you mean sorry for the bad ending? Perfect call. Thanks for the many years of AWESOME content.
My Wife Loves the System as Well, I try not to think about it too much😄😄. Great Explanation of the Emergency Starting Procedures and the Reasonings behind the Method Wes
I have a degree in Economics, and I wholeheartedly endorse your description of "trickle-down economics"!
I also have a 2005 Toyota Tundra with just 110,000 miles. The stock "stainless steel" exhaust system rusted out, so it was replaced with a new "stainless steel" exhaust. Same thing happened to the brake calipers - so the brake system was replaced. A valet blew up a spider gear in the front differential, so it has a rebuilt front differential. I pull a towhauler with it, so it has airbags in the rear suspension. It works well, a new replacement would be around $80k, so I simply can't bear (afford?) to part with it.
It can't be the end. Needs to hit a million miles
not in the illinois climate it wont itll break in half well b4 that lol
Gonna need a whole new body around that engine then. Rust has taken yet another Rav 4 long before it's due.
My 2021 vw tiguan would double that mileage guaranteed 350k to 400k still running like a champ
Small drilled hole in firewall,some left over washer fluid hose and a loose parts tool box drawer junk screw, duct tape hose to shifter.
Your golden.
(Yeah, too bad beer can crash test failed)
Wes you seem to entertain me on all your videos. Even the mundane ones like this. LOL - "Time to go Ipod shopping". Yes Sir.
Seeing that rust fall onto your shop floor gets me in the feels, I just got rid of a 2004 Buick LeSabre with the same problem. Had it for 8 years. You just can't know the day you realize it ahead of time. It's a melancholy feeling at best. Thanks for taking us along. even if it's a bittersweet story
The irony is that iPods are all but obsolete now.
It did have a happy ending. Your decision and discovery saved a life or two or three. Stay safe and we'll see you next week.
Not the ending I expected but ultimately the right call when they are that far gone. The BIG question is what will replace it, that's what I'll be waiting for!
My 2003 Matrix has over 300K miles… just drove it from Southern California to Oregon and back. Since it has been in the south west all it’s life no rust issues.
Learned a lot about failed coolant sensors in the video regardless. Appreciate it! 👍
My 2003 Jeep Liberty has 221,000 miles on it and I refuse to let it die. Glad your willing to do the same.
Sorry for your loss. Glad it starts and runs. Should be worth something
I really like your sense of humor. Especially the "trickledown economics." great lesson to determine when to fix a car and when to let it go. God bless you with your vehicle purchase.
Safety for the family is always a happy ending. Thanks for the coolant temp sensor lesson. Diabolical.
Wes we all joke when it’s not ours but when it’s ours it hits home really hard
I've fixed a lot of these rocker issues. It takes only a couples of hours to make it structually like brand new. I'm sure you have the skill and talent to do it. Rust can be always replaced with good metal with a welder and prep
I remember learning the fuel injection temperature sensor lesson as a young man I had a Cherokee I bought that someone replaced the factory gauge with a mechanical gauge in there attempt to fix the overheating it ran fine till winter then it wouldn't run right took me about 2 months to figure out it was the temp sensor
Well should get better gas mileage with all the weight reduction bro. Look forward to see what you bring home. Safe travels
I scoffed at remote starting, heated seats and heated steering wheel.
Super handy in winter and I'm used to it now.
It is OK Wes. At least your wife can get around in the Golf!!! Salt and rust is a never ending battle. Around my neighborhood, the brine solution they spread on the roads is just the worst. Eats everything!
Try some mag-chloride. Slippery as snot on the roads at its limits. It does rinse off, and it eats chrome and aluminum worse than sodium 🧂 chloride. Calcium chloride....well.
I have an '04 RAV with almost as many miles as yours. Transmission leak, worn out suspension, windshield leaks, block heater doesn't work, and it's starting to rust and burn some oil. But the darn thing still starts at -40 (it lives outside in Alberta) and just won't die. It recently celebrated 400,000 km (about 250,000 miles) by turning the check engine light on for the first time.
Take us along when you go car shopping. Love to hear your caustic wit re: modern cars..
I've just sold my 1999 rav4 for £400. It was tired and used by me as a gardening vehicle for a decade. It was brilliant but I needed more space for work. Plus the whole exhaust needed doing and it would have cost a lot. My mechanic said that outside the uk(ie no mot) it would go another ten years and I believe him. It started on the button every time and was surprisingly good off road. Love the videos mate. Paul
It just needs some grinding and welding, good content👍😉
"New disposable I-pods with wheels?" I think that is a very concise, accurate description of new cars. Great video!
Its so common in your area and those that use so much salt that rust out before their normal wear and tear takes place. The rust really accelerates the demise of so many vehicles in the high use salt areas. Well, good luck Wes on getting a new ride. Really enjoy your video's!!! Happy Easter!!!
That's why you undercoat your vehicle with lanolin religiously
My first experience in trickle down economics was six months after we married. My bride borrowed my Mustang because it was humid and hot. Her car was a metal oil drum on wheels with no air.
Then a 4 door when we had children, then minivan wash and repeat.
This amazes me, seeing some of the vehicles on the road in the USA rust wise...here in New Zealand that Rav of Wes's would have been ordered off the road 10 years ago..any rust here and you vehicle often has to be professionally welded and certified to pass it's safety inspection. So glad Wes instantly thought of the safety side of it!
Not too many rockers on older cars in Canada rust belt area
Just weld some steel in and you are all good. That is what I am going to do. Because locale CTC store is afraid to lift it
you cant kill these things if you tried. my 04 had 355k when i gifted it to my sister 🤣. still on the road today
My "disposable iPod" (RAV4) was made in 1994 - the very first year! Almost no rust, running well, and 360,000km. Gotta love Toyota's...
Please take us shopping with you, especially if you buy a second hand one. It would be good to see what you look for in a second hand car, and what you are willing to fix yourself given the price point you are looking at.
Otherwise, just show us what you bought if new, and if second hand, take us for the ride with whatever service you do to it. I always do oils, all filters including the cabin filter, and if there are any zrks, grease them. I also check the brake (& clutch fluid on a manual), if they are discoloured, I replace them, If there is no service history I replace them regardless. I check the brakes & rotors, if the pads need replacing or they are cheap & nasty ones, I replace them & do the brake fluid regardless of whether it looks good or not, or was recently changed. My labour is free, and I really do like brakes.
I saw the temp gauge as soon as you turned the key on but figured you had gotten it started and warmed it up prior to turning on the camera. I wonder how many people would have thrown a fuel pump at this problem? iPods with wheels is classic! So true.
Good morning Wes. Happy Easter to you and family. Always great videos.
reminds me of when my dad wanted to trade in his Peugeot 404 in the 80s and it was so rusty the dealer wouldn't put it on the lift because they were worried it'd fall apart. The interior was pretty much the only thing that held it together in the end - but he had it for 25-ish years, drove close to 400,000 km, and it never needed any service beyond the occasional oil, tires, and the other normal consumables
Wes, if I lived in your environment I would be painting the underside of my car every year with wax oil, great video as usual, I always learn something from you, thank you.
Yeah I wonder if they did that with this rav4 every year or not, would be interesting to know.
Makes absolutely no sense why all these people refuse to use fluid film on their cars from the start. If you did that yearly from when the car was new it would last indefinitely.
@James of all things yeahh, I got a recall frame on my tacoma 7 years or so ago and ever since then I've coated it, it still looks great, a few minor spots. It's impossible to stop rust, but can slow it down a lot.
Fluid Film...smells like sheep.
@@tomtheplummer7322 smells like old chewing gum lol
I've seen automatic starting fluid system on a large diesel backup generator. The ether looked like a 1# propane tank on some kind of mount. Far easier than replacing a coolant sensor and iPod shopping.
And i thought you would get some sheets of mild steel and with your army of welders create panels to fit.
Perhaps your other half can show you how to do it :)
The inner and outer rocker panels are available, but there’s s lot involved with replacing those, and being non oem, will they be as strong as the oe?
@@kd7cwg At this point anything is stronger than a hole
No need for apologies Wes, it's your rig, and the safety of you and your family are very important.Hopefully whatever you replace it with you can enjoy knowing that it's going to keep you and your kid safe even if it is a semi disposable ipod mobile.
My car had the same problem but it was harder to diagnose because it used 2 temperature sensors, 1 for the dash gauge and other one specifically for the fuel system. The car was injecting so much fuel during cold starts that flooded the cilinders, but after starting it ran completely fine( no codes of course). after connecting a scan tool i found that the sensor was reading coolant temperatures below zero lol
At least your frame wasn't filled with rust holes.. 😅
I agree on not wanting an I-Pod car. That is why I am keeping my 300k mile 86 Dodge pickup on the road as long as I can. I do have one advantage, I dont live in the rust belt though. - Jamie
"disposable iPad with wheels" 🤣 you rock!!! 👍👍I should be happy with less structural rust on my 2003 RAV4 🤭🤭
Wow! A self seeding Toyota. Drive that thing around in the winter and see all the Toyota shoots growing up next to bumps in the road in spring!
No self respecting mechanic drives a car with less than 300K
So Wes has no self respect?
A really self respecting mechanic drives his customers cars,‘cos road testing…
@@MacGyverKilla it's his wife's car. I suppose him let his spouse purchase vehicles because he probably would punch dealer in the face for modern crap he sells 😂.
335,000 and 380,000 on my GM 4.3 and 6.0 van and truck.
@@Lyzzzander His wife has a newer RAV4. This is Wes’s beater.
I know a fellow who was beating around in a 1993 Ford Ranger truck and he showed up in the parking lot of the health club in a new Ford sport truck. He told me that he finally broke down and bought a new one and the grandkids like riding around in "Pop Pops" new truck. Well just like your own family I told him it was a lot safer for his grandkids riding in that new truck than the old one. You have the same issue with the safety and integrity of buying a new "ipod" on wheels.
My condolences to you Wes, it’s hard to part with old, faithful friends.
Edit: If you were down here in Texas and that was a Texas vehicle, you’d be changing that oil and enjoying many more miles.
As he said - NO side impact protection left in that thing - AND in the US they have intersections which people legally and happily will blow through doing 64
You don't want to be tboned by someone doing 65 while you are in a car which is in great shape - while a rust coffin like that in that situation will explode in tiny pieces...
@@TheStefanskoglund1
What does that have to do with my comment? As I said, if it were a Texas vehicle, he would be changing the oil in it and driving for many more miles. He wouldn’t be scrapping it because it wouldn’t be rusty and rotten.
@@ralfie8801 ??? Texans is more than mad..... considering how risky that is. or do you mean that salt isn't used in Texas and so the cars will be in better shape and still be 16 years old (as long as the owner didn't drove in salt water with it) ?
@@TheStefanskoglund1
The only place in Texas where the cars are rotten like the one in the video is down on the coast where they might be driven on the beach - a lot, or maybe in the panhandle along I-40. Otherwise there are still vehicles on the road that are 30 - 50 years old that aren’t eaten away like cars from up north.
My 2006 Duramax Silverado has over 400K on it and there is no rust on it.
Edit: I bought it new, it’s been in the north central part of the state ever since. And clarified my last comment.
i absolutely love this channel, i have learned so much being 19 and a diesel mechanic for fedex i still watch every chance i get to learn something new!!!! keep it up
I would have fixed it by extending the evap pipe into the cabin so that I didn't have to open the bonnet (hood) for the alternative starting strategy.
Just like Peg does on Zip Ties!
@@montestu5502 Cosby sauce ftw.
I have a 2006 Rav 4, so i am gonna pay extra attention to this video :)
Wes, you might get lucky and find another rust free unit with a mechanical issue for cheap. you have a great part donor to pick from. Maybe someone might reach out to you from the interweb or youtube. Good luck with your hunt anyway and keep the great content coming. Cheers from Edmonton, Alberta up here in the great white north. :)
No RAV4 will be cheap. 🤷♂️
@@tomtheplummer7322 one that needs an engine will be
The Rot4 has seen it's better days... Good luck on the hunt for a new to you vehicle. Prices are still pretty high. My daily is a 98 K1500, not too horrible of rust.
Good morning young man and Happy Easter to you and the family. Thank you for your great videos. Always look forward to them.
You hit the issue dead on when buying a new machine of any kind these days. The old ones would would be graciously retired if we could find replacements as good, but we can't. All that is available is, as you say, iPods on wheels. The scary part is that the crappy car we buy today will, in ten years, be the cherished relic of tomorrow because those future cars will be even worse than the ones today.
Wes, you deserve a new safe truck with a back seat for the baby. Just have the vehicle hot dipped in zinc a couple of times. Thanks for the extra vid. 👍 Happy Easter.
You made the right call, Wes. I do understand your hesitation though. Most cars available for purchase these days just have a tablet for a center console, and it's the worst design decision I've ever heard of. And that's not to mention the rest of the issues with the car. It just seems like it's not worth the money.
That thing is new compared to the VW diesel you were driving the other day lol.
Illinois salt spares no one.
ipod on wheels got me and then you blessed us with trickle down economics...well done :) happy easter!
7:20 Just as I was about to congratulate you on the moral victory of keeping a car alive for 16 years in a brine solution.
Just remember where Wes lives, it's not as bad as the PRNY (people's republic of NY). Ask Eric O, they consider it good if it lasts even a decade before it's off to the scrap heap, especially if the salt solution/brine is used all year 'round like where he lives. Seems much of what Wes works on is older, and equally as rusty at times. I'm fortunate I don't have to worry about that where I live. I drive a nearly rust free vehicle from the early 2000's.
I have an 05 TJ and a 13 Z71 with NO rust. Thank you Lord for allowing me to be born in the South!
Happy new car day, I guess! Sad to see a perfectly good running car to the scrapheap, but at least now you have a valid argument to test how good your tickle-down economics work out for you! 😂 On second thought: you also have recently acquired some nice welders. So, why not put them to good use and get yourself some DOM-tubing and build a nice, sturdy tube frame for this thing? Makes up for great strength and probably cheaper than a new car. I mean, what can a few feet of tube cost? And also you can do it after work in your own shop. For food... I guess... 🤑
But I better stop here, wouldn't want to give your wife too many good ideas...
You still gave it your best. Thats allways good to see
It's weird seeing so many warning lights on a car that's allowed to drive, here in Sweden having ANY of the warning lights on even if its just a check engine light will automatically fail your vehicle inspection lol, hope you find a less rotted out car to keep alive and nice work as always Wes :P
Same in the UK pretty much H. Wonder what the Rav is going to be replaced with ?
Tpms doesn't affect to mot, engine light mayby because not deleted code from temp densor.
Your "bil tractor or raggabil" culture ain't so mot approved either... Greetings from Fin 😉
Only in some of the states in the U.S. Illinois don't have vehicle inspection, only for truck ,or a lorry as you may know it, over 4 tons
@@dot7107 I agree, teens with cars is not a good idea in any capacity plus the lax rules regarding them is also stupid AF
@@dot7107 I'm afraid it does Dot .."TPMS checks were added to the MOT test checklist in January 2015 and it can now be an instant MOT fail if the TPMS dashboard light stays on to indicate a fault or problem with the TPMS valves. Many motorists don’t realise this, which has led to thousands of new MOT failures that could have been easily avoided."
Just discovered your channel...it's very informative and helpful! My wife's 2008 Rav4 has 261,699 miles on it and has been consuming so much oil that it fouls out the #2 spark plug within 20 miles or so! I just picked up a "low mile Japanese Import 2.4 and hope we can get another 100,000 or more out if it...thanks for your informative and easy to follow content, not going to lie it was kind of sad to see your rav4 get retired do too the rust issues...i just subscribed and am going to go back and watch the other rav4 videos...keep up the good work!
This tale is DIRECTLY related to the fact that Japan has very strict yearly inspection rules. So much so, there are very few 'used' cars as they're just stripped of all their low-mileage, high value parts that are shipped overseas to keep older cars going in third-world countries with few or no safety rules (such as the US).
Bet the engine and trans are worth something, especially since you fixed the rings.
Engine maybe. Trans I doubt with that kind of miles.
Seeing your gas gauge at full reminded me of a man I grew up with. He wouldn't fill his tank up past 1/4 in case it broke down then it would be sitting with all that fuel in the tank.
Trickle down in alive and well here Wes... wife gets new vehicle and I'm still driving our old Saturn Vue with 250K (Honda engine). It too is nearing the end as the body and frame is slowly becoming bluetooth. Keep up the good work!
Nothing lasts forever: even Toyotas. Brilliant engine diagnostic.
Wes, I feel your pain. Easter Sunday. My Daughters MAlibu set a P0117. It was a $17.00 fix. Truly a resurrection Sunday!
Repair the rockers, easy fix when you have mig-welder and a warm shop.
Not needed buying new junk and spend $ 40-50 k... two days of work welding some new metal and take a vacation instead later on with all the money you saved.
Had a 91 Chrysler sedan. One day I noticed that my left foot wanted to travel a little closer to the tire than it should have. Called the wrecking yard, told them I had a scrap car that wasn't safe for the road; they took it and called the local volunteer FD to do practice with it.
I have learned to use the car washes with under carriage spray when there's salt on the road and its all over my car. I am keeping the salt off the underside of my car as much as I can to try to prevent that. I sacrificed 2 other vehicles to the salt cancer and dont want to destroy any more. illinois roads are very salty in the winter.
It's a shame what the salt does to your vehicles. I was originally from nw Pennsylvania and remember the rust being a problem even just doing brakes. I have lived in Florida since 87 and currently have a 99 Honda CRV that is in amazing rust free condition. You can look underneath and it is as clean as the day it was built. Now don't get me wrong the sun here is hard on paint and interiors but I will take that to the rust any day of the week. Time to retire the Rav4 Wes you and your family's safety is more important than saving a few bucks. As always enjoy your videos along with the added humor keep up the good work and I always learn a thing or two from you as well.
For me it was the coil packs, and its a good thing I kept the old coil packs! After changing out the new coil packs with the old, it starts right up! Mind you the new coil packs had 10k miles.
Loved how you told the story of how you got this ride. I'm also sure Ms. Wes haven't seen this post yet no black eye. Go south young man and get a older pretty rust free ride at least nothing like up there. I feel for all the rust mechanics. Thanks for posting.
Wes, I have a ran when parked 2001 Ranger in my back yard I'd make you a deal on 😁 It has a slight sway back the back bumper is almost rusted off and only what's left of one strap holding the gas tank, but is has a new fuel pump and the AC and 4 wheel drive both work. 😎
I have a 2006 Toyota Camry LE 2.4 that has over 325,000 miles I drive to work , and yes it is showing it's age , but so far it keeps on going ! It is a testament of keeping up with oil and filter changes . The Rav 4 may be worthy of some new rocker panels and some structural sprucing up !
This is not a criticism. Not a passive aggressive comment. Most definitely NOT a "this is what I would have done" comment. I live in the southern Utah high desert, and we simply do not see these rust issues. I have always wondered if there was a way to repair that rot. Can one cut away the rust and junk and weld in new support structure? Would such a repair, if even possible, be worth it? I hope no one takes this the wrong way, it's an honest question from someone who is completely ignorant of these kind of rust issues, not in any way a dig at Wes or anyone else in the rust belt. Pure curiosity. Thanks!
Sad to see it go. Researching the 2AZ-FE oil burning problem is how I found you. Just did a re-ring only on a lifetime Great Lakes 2006 because at 190K it had to be done but also...the same issues as you are only a season or two away if they start driving more.
My 1998 c230 Mercedes hit 266k and I sold it. The sensors were failing, new replacement sensors were often faulty or failed in a short amount of time. Some replacement parts were no longer available in the U.S., many were shipped from Lithuania, but the Merc's body was rust ree and in super shape.