Search found 125 matches

by Ace
Mon Jul 15, 2024 6:56 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Radiator story and pesky mud wasps
Replies: 1
Views: 1340

Radiator story and pesky mud wasps

Thought I had a radiator leak: low coolant level in radiator, no coolant in overflow tank, wet coolant along the lower edge of the upper radiator tank, coolant pooled on gravel shield under engine. I had visions of hassle and expense of radiator repair or replacement. To make a long story short, I d...
by Ace
Mon Jul 15, 2024 9:27 am
Forum: Tercel 4WD Repair Questions
Topic: Horsepower
Replies: 16
Views: 4558

Re: Horsepower

Hi in the future (around 6-7 years) I want to add some go fast parts but I don't want to spend a lot of money on it so if you know of anything that can get me around 150-200 hp for cheap it would be very appreciated So you're the 14 year old kid with the post "It starts but doesn't idle or sta...
by Ace
Fri Jul 12, 2024 3:57 pm
Forum: Everything Else
Topic: Running too warm.
Replies: 14
Views: 8236

Re: Running too warm.

Other possibilities:
Malfunctioning thermostat not opening fully. That would fit with your observation that running the heater helps lower the temp.
Inaccurate temp gauge reading, maybe due to failing temp sender unit (presumably electric?). Check coolant temp with a separate thermometer.
by Ace
Wed Jul 10, 2024 4:10 pm
Forum: Tool Talk!
Topic: Oil pressure sending unit: tool for easier removal and replacement
Replies: 4
Views: 4262

Re: Oil pressure sending unit: tool for easier removal and replacement

Yes, excellent idea to also have an oil pressure gauge. I should add one myself. I think it would also be a good idea to have an audible warning buzzer for low oil pressure that occurs when the engine is running, to protect against rare (?) events like I had.
by Ace
Fri Jul 05, 2024 12:56 pm
Forum: Tool Talk!
Topic: Oil pressure sending unit: tool for easier removal and replacement
Replies: 4
Views: 4262

Re: Oil pressure sending unit: tool for easier removal and replacement

This subject became a big deal to me because one day my oil light flashed on while I was driving around town and I discovered the engine oil was below the dipstick. The oil had been near the full mark about 250 miles previous. The loss was due to a suddenly leaking oil sender. I found it somewhat in...
by Ace
Wed Jul 03, 2024 12:19 am
Forum: Tercel Gallery and Projects
Topic: Another Movie Sighting...
Replies: 172
Views: 273175

Re: Another Movie Sighting...

Mattel, good point about movie productions sometimes using more than one vehicle to represent the same vehicle through the full course of filming. I hadn't thought of that in this case. So when collectors later buy these movie cars (the ones that aren't wrecked), which one are they getting, which on...
by Ace
Tue Jul 02, 2024 1:11 am
Forum: Toyota
Topic: '91 corolla - idle won't drop till car stops rolling
Replies: 3
Views: 18987

Re: '91 corolla - idle won't drop till car stops rolling

Maybe the ECM was anticipating that if the transmission is re-engaged with the vehicle rolling at some speed, there is less shock to the drive train with the engine RPM elevated somewhat, if the driver doesn't try to match RPM appropriately. Speculation.
by Ace
Mon Jul 01, 2024 11:53 am
Forum: Tercel Gallery and Projects
Topic: Another Movie Sighting...
Replies: 172
Views: 273175

Re: Another Movie Sighting...

Breaking Bad was mentioned somewhere in the previous 12 pages but I didn't see these photos posted. The Tercel was prominent in several episodes because a lead actor was driving it. Trivia department: can someone explain why this apparently 4wd Tercel has the fuel fill on the left side? My 1983 4wd ...
by Ace
Mon Jul 01, 2024 10:20 am
Forum: Off-Topic
Topic: diesel chevette
Replies: 17
Views: 13673

Re: diesel chevette

The subject brings back some old random memories. A friend of mine used to have a secondhand diesel Chevette, original factory version I believe. Older car, friend told me stories about working on it, car needed various TLC to keep it running. It eventually got passed to a son in another state and p...
by Ace
Mon Jul 01, 2024 9:43 am
Forum: Tercel 4WD Parts: New and Used
Topic: eBay -- Window regulators available for driver's door and passenger's front door
Replies: 2
Views: 1727

Re: eBay -- Window regulators available for driver's door and passenger's front door

https://tercel4wd.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=117120&hilit=window+regulator#p117120 Some related info and pics on the above link regarding preventive maintenance to help avoid failure of window regulators. Apparently it's a common problem on an older Tercel, and it's not so easy to find good seco...
by Ace
Sun Jun 30, 2024 11:33 pm
Forum: Tool Talk!
Topic: Oil pressure sending unit: tool for easier removal and replacement
Replies: 4
Views: 4262

Oil pressure sending unit: tool for easier removal and replacement

Oil pressure sensor leakage is not unusual on an older vehicle. If a significant sensor leak starts up suddenly you can lose a lot of oil quickly. If you don't see the low oil light, or an oil pressure gauge, you could quickly have a ruined engine. A replacement sensor is relatively inexpensive ($5....
by Ace
Sun Jun 30, 2024 10:58 pm
Forum: Tool Talk!
Topic: JIS screwdrivers
Replies: 1
Views: 8625

Re: JIS screwdrivers

Good point. I went years before learning the difference between standard Phillips and JIS screw heads. JIS = Japanese Industrial Standard. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_screw_drives#JIS_B_1012 JIS B 1012 The JIS B 1012[26] was commonly found in Japanese made equipment, such as cameras and m...
by Ace
Sat Jun 29, 2024 8:39 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Anyone else have a fuel gauge that goes down halfway almost instantly?
Replies: 9
Views: 3148

Re: Anyone else have a fuel gauge that goes down halfway almost instantly?

Over time my Tercel fuel gauge readings have become less accurate and less consistent. I used to get about 200 highway miles on a full tank before the gauge reading dropped to the halfway mark. Now the readings are lower, sooner. It hasn't been enough of a problem to motivate me to troubleshoot or t...
by Ace
Thu Jun 27, 2024 11:17 am
Forum: General
Topic: Tercel history question regarding carburetors
Replies: 5
Views: 1654

Re: Tercel history question regarding carburetors

Thank you all for your responses. Some interesting trivia here: https://www.motortrend.com/features/last-cars-cassette-decks-carbs-bench-seats/ Automotive Lasts: The Last Cars With Cassette Decks, Carbs, Bench Seats, and More (also: last vehicles with vent windows, T-tops, hidden headlights ...) Th...
by Ace
Wed Jun 26, 2024 2:25 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Tercel history question regarding carburetors
Replies: 5
Views: 1654

Re: Tercel history question regarding carburetors

Thanks for the info, dlb.

It just occurred to me, I think this is true, that the "C" in the "3AC" engine designation indicates catalytic converter equipped?