When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
So when I first got the car ~ 8 months ago, I was made aware of the issue with the capacitors in the ECU leaking and causing all kinds of problems. It's only got 99k, but I ordered up the new reccomended capacitors and have them all, and then just never actually installed them. Perhaps out of laziness, or, more likely, a fear of ruining a perfectly good car. My question is then, is this something I should do proactively, or can I get away with waiting till the car starts exhibiting issues?
The 97 and earlier cars were much more prone to ECU cap issues than the later VVTi 400s. I'm not sure where your May production date places your car on that timeline...?
I'm sure YAMAE will see this and prob chime in
I would replace those capacitors ASAP, if the manufacturing date was before July 1997. I'd say, "Repentance comes too late". I have seen several damaged boards due to the leaked liquid which has eaten copper traces as well as it has damaged the internal layer. The liquid QAS is very strong alkali, you know. Replacing capacitors will also make you happy since the car runs better like a new. This is what many people have reported.
I would replace those capacitors ASAP, if the manufacturing date was before July 1997. I'd say, "Repentance comes too late". I have seen several damaged boards due to the leaked liquid which has eaten copper traces as well as it has damaged the internal layer. The liquid QAS is very strong alkali, you know. Replacing capacitors will also make you happy since the car runs better like a new. This is what many people have reported.
It is no use crying over spilt QAS liquid.
Guess I'll get on it then, appreciate the input. Not super familiar with capacitors' insides. I've soldered caps onto various computer components before, so i'm not entirely a novice in that regard, would this job be a feasible DIY or is it difficult enough that a more experienced individual should be the one handling it? Loathe to put my only car out of service for another one of my mistakes.
Guess I'll get on it then, appreciate the input. Not super familiar with capacitors' insides. I've soldered caps onto various computer components before, so i'm not entirely a novice in that regard, would this job be a feasible DIY or is it difficult enough that a more experienced individual should be the one handling it? Loathe to put my only car out of service for another one of my mistakes.
So you are an extra not a novice. I can easily imagine that you can do the job easily except to deal with the flat cable inside. But I'm sure you will make it.
This isn't a difficult task if you've done some prior soldering jobs. Getting to the caps before they leak will make the task easier since you don't have to worry about damage caused by the fluid and subsequent clean-up. The top circuit board and attached cable is sufficiently flexible to be tipped up and held in place.