Apparently a common problem in Toyota engine, the timing chain tensioner cover gasket, I think, is leaking oil. Which I think is my fault bc I think I put slightly too much oil when I changed it. So I'm going to try to fix that.
And I tried to take the tire off to fix the broken lug nut stud and couldn't get the tire off to save my life. I got all the nuts off but that tire wouldn't budge. On Youtube they just fall off when you take the nuts off. Mine was like crazy glued on. Everything was hard and took longer and after a few hours, I got nothing done, and now I'm depressed that maybe I don't actually know what I'm doing. Even the transmission plug was dripping after I changed the filter and put in the new crush washer even though I know I torqued it to spec.
And looking at the struts with the car jacked up, which took yrs to do with my scissor jack, I saw the rubber boot was shredded, so I either buy two boots and take everything apart, including the springs, to get the new boots on or just buy all new struts and not worry about them forevermore. Buying a new lift today from Harbor Freight so that at least that will be easier. And the starter makes a grinding noise when I first start--sounds like the bendix gear is not catching right away on the flexplate. It's not every single time so it sounds like some teeth are damaged.
I don't think it's as bad as it feels though--it just needs a new wheel stud, o-ring for the chain tensioner, front struts, and maybe some work on the starter. But still, . . .
Sitting in my driveway pulling at that tire, I knew that by the time I got that tire off, everyone else would be driving flying cars. :(