just picked up a 1984 tercel 4wd sr5

[tercel4wdrules]

Nice work! I suppose you also reset the timing already, right? Don't forget to have them run it under manual reading mode before doing the actual test.

[andrewrenow]

I just bought a timing light yesterday hopefully I will be able to fix it today.

[andrewrenow]

did the timing today it was just as easy as changing oil. i called a few shops just to see how much they would charge for something so easy. $40-80 what a scam. it took me less than 5min.

[andrewrenow]

Good news everyone! The car easily passed smog I'm so relieved and proud of my self. Thanks to all that helped me through the process. Were taking a trip to Tahoe this weekend hopefully if nothing comes up.

[Petros]

just make sure your gear lube in the trans is topped up, check all your fluids, and you should be fine. Since you passed smog you might reset your ignition timing to 10 deg BTDC, you will get better fuel economy and a bit more power.

You might try a clutch test: stand on the brakes with your heel, slide your toe over to the throttle and rev the engine, put in in first gear and slowly let out the clutch. It should stall the engine. If it just bogs down and does not stall, better replace the clutch before you go to Tahoe.

Clutches last a long time, so if you know when it was replaced last and it has less than 100k miles on it, it should be fine.

Do not do this clutch test very often! Only when you buy a car, or if you suspect it might be bad.

[andrewrenow]

Just did it. It stalled rite out. Thanks for the info. I also plan to check the diff fluid as well. You guys are awesome!

[john]

Enjoy the Tahoe trip. A lot of 4WD Tercels can be found up there!
john

[tercel4wdrules]

Good news everyone! The car easily passed smog I'm so relieved and proud of my self. Thanks to all that helped me through the process. Were taking a trip to Tahoe this weekend hopefully if nothing comes up.

Congratulations! Now you're on your way to have a reliable T4WD to enjoy, and you got it for a good price. It just needed some TLC. Glad this car wound up in the right hands. It would be nice if you had some pictures to post up of your upcoming trip, too!

[andrewrenow]

Good news everyone! The car easily passed smog I'm so relieved and proud of my self. Thanks to all that helped me through the process. Were taking a trip to Tahoe this weekend hopefully if nothing comes up.

Congratulations! Now you're on your way to have a reliable T4WD to enjoy, and you got it for a good price. It just needed some TLC. Glad this car wound up in the right hands. It would be nice if you had some pictures to post up of your upcoming trip, too!

If I go I will Post some pics.

[andrewrenow]

so the reno trip didnt happen because i started feeling the cv axel tick so i looked at them and they are ripped. i need to replace them soon. on top of that somebody decided to break into it by breaking the window. i let my mom barrow my car and she left her bag in there for everybody to see. i already replaced it im just happy nobody stole it.

[dlb]

god damn mothers!

[tercel4wdrules]

so the reno trip didnt happen because i started feeling the cv axel tick so i looked at them and they are ripped. i need to replace them soon.

Sorry to hear about the broken window, but it's a reminder to definitely keep things out of sight. Anyway, if you're going to replace the CV axles, I would suggest getting new ones, either GSP or EMPI brand. You can get these online for a good price and we've had good results with them. I wouldn't waste my time getting a rebuilt one.

[andrewrenow]

A few more question for the tercel 4wd gods! I've drove it about 700miles the past few weeks it's been running pretty good. But I've have noticed that it's only averaging 26mpg. Is this typical? Also I've noticed that it has been diesiling a bit after I turn the car off. No more than 2 seconds though. I also noticed that I the Pcv valve has been buzzing. I just bought it. Is this suppose to happen?

[dlb]

PCV: not an issue. it's probably just wiggling in it's grommet a little.

dieseling can be from a few things. most likely is that your idle is set too high--set your idle once the car is hot so that it idles at 850 rpm. could also be your fast idle is set too high, set it when the car is cold so that the car initially idles around 1600-1800 rpm. could also be from your timing being too far advanced but i believe you just set that to pass emissions so it's probably good. maybe check it again just in case the 12 mm bolt that secures the dizzy did not come loose and allow the timing to change.

poor mileage can be from tons of stuff. check tire PSI when they're cold, make sure the air filter is clean, check timing, check each wheel for dragging brakes, check to make sure you choke is adjusted properly (fully open when warm), take off roof racks if you don't use them regularly, remove any excess weight from the car (dump bodies quickly, don't let them pile up in the back)...that's all that comes to mind immediately. i know i've missed a few though.

[tercel4wdrules]

A few more question for the tercel 4wd gods! I've drove it about 700miles the past few weeks it's been running pretty good. But I've have noticed that it's only averaging 26mpg. Is this typical? Also I've noticed that it has been diesiling a bit after I turn the car off. No more than 2 seconds though. I also noticed that I the Pcv valve has been buzzing. I just bought it. Is this suppose to happen?

Dieseling can also occur if you have a vacuum leak, at least in my experience. It would be prudent to check and make sure all the hoses are where they're supposed to be and none are loose. DLB also wrote some good advice on the dieseling issue. If you do a fair bit of city driving mixed in with some hwy I have found 25-28 MPG to be somewhere in the ok range, but others here report 29-32 MPG with mixed driving. I would get the dieseling issue sorted out and then see if that had any effect on gas mileage. Running too lean can also affect mpg as well. Have you noticed any pinging lately?