Tercel on Ebay , UK

[petersam]

Finally picked it up yesterday. Ran ok over 300 miles but I think the radiator fluid needs to be changed as it started to run out of power and spewed some water out then ran for 150 miles without a problem. The level is over full and it's a horrible gunky mixture. Driving 70mph it is a bit loud but copes ok, only problem is long hills changing down to 4th.

Great car, copes with the bumps and the load space is huge, even got the original Toyota Radio and bill of sale and owners handbook.

tercelrust.jpg

radiatorfluiudfull.jpg

tercelback.jpg

tercelengine.jpg

tercelel.jpg

tercelbillofsale.jpg

tercelfront.jpg

tercelengineplate.jpg

tercelengine2.jpg

[petersam]

tercelradio.jpg

tercelmpg.jpg

tercelinclinometer2.jpg

tercelinclinometer.jpg

tercelfuse.jpg

[petersam]

radiator fluid.jpg

oil1.jpg

oil2.jpg

tercelinterior3.jpg

tercelinterior2.jpg

tercelinterior.jpg

tercelmanual2.jpg

tercelmanual1.jpg

[takza]

Sounds like a head gasket issue...main thing is to NOT overheat it. The gunk is from an attempt to stop the leak.

You could test for a head gasket leak by starting it cold with the rad cap off and look for a stream of bubbles...this is exhaust gas. Can be extremely small bubbles or a major amount. This doesn't catch all head gasket issues...but it's a start?

[neddflanderz]

One glaring problem I saw from your pictures is your steering wheel. Its on the wrong side. You might want to get that checked out.

[Petros]

One glaring problem I saw from your pictures is your steering wheel. Its on the wrong side. You might want to get that checked out.

yes, I noticed that too. I wonder what causes that to happen.

[ARCHINSTL]

Maybe he's taken the photos via a mirror ?
Tom M.

[takza]

People who deliver mail or papers would die for that car? Since some fool decided to put all the mailboxes on the wrong side of the roads?

* Should have said that some fool decided NOT to put the mailboxes down the centerline of the road.

[petersam]

Sounds like a head gasket issue...main thing is to NOT overheat it. The gunk is from an attempt to stop the leak.

You could test for a head gasket leak by starting it cold with the rad cap off and look for a stream of bubbles...this is exhaust gas. Can be extremely small bubbles or a major amount. This doesn't catch all head gasket issues...but it's a start?

I tried to check for bubbles but how do you see them (I'm trying to learn how to fix cars so know nothing at the moment).
Looking into the radiator with the cap off I just see black.

Putting out white smoke which putting my hand up against the exhaust feels like water, stops after it is warmed up even under
heavy acceleration.

The steering wheel is hard to move, my first mod , even kept the dash looking original

[takza]

Well...you've happened upon a car that is probably going to give you a pretty good education right up front.

To see bubbles you'd need to skim off the goop till you see antifreeze...then look for bubbles.

Indications are rather strong that you have a bad head gasket. The white smoke is antifreeze?

Main thing right now it to not drive it if it is getting too hot...as in much above the centerline on the temp gauge. And...carry some antifreeze mix with you...if you drive it.

Not much that can fix it but a new head gasket unfortunately...I know...I've tried block sealers and so forth.

You could change out the coolant...clean the coolant tank and hose....mark a line on the tank...and see how fast the coolant disappears. But this won't fix anything.