Weak points of Tercel or what to check when buying?

[Nytroz]

Hi people

sorry if this post is something similar to already posted (anyway link to right topic would be OK, because I could nod find it using search)

I am thinking about buying one gen2 tercel 4wd 1.5 AL25 and I'd like to know what to check. Could you please name common weak places and maybe some special checks that may be performed outside near to car (I have lots of tools but car is in other town)

I am long-time Toyota advanced user (since 2004) but always owned Celica's (from 1983 and newer, 6-7 cars, some disassembled for parts) so I imagine exactly how that old Toyota should look like, all I need if common hidden rusting points and smth like quic 4wd test etc

[arbskynxnex]

Welcome aboard.

Rust. Check the rear hatch, around the rear windows, wheel wells, battery box, and front of the fenders for the most common culprits.

CV axles, they tend to wear, but are easily replaceable.

Windows, they tend not to roll up or down after years since the grease in the regulators hardens. Wd40 and fresh grease fixes it, but you might be able to shave some $$ off. That being said if the windows don't roll well check the gasket material they are in, that tends to break when the windows don't work properly, again an easy fix if you have some good ones around.

The biggest is the transmission, they are getting hard to come by and when the front diff grenaded in my last one I was quoted $2200 to get it rebuilt since many of the parts aren't made anymore for it. The synchros tend to wear in them, though you can still drive it like that for many miles, just beware if they are grinding, the tranny has some wear on it and make an offer accordingly if you still want the car.

[Nytroz]

Thanx for answer. I don't care much about consumables like filters-belts-bearings-gaskets etc, everething than can be replaced should be replaced, not a problem. Just trying to avoid situations where something serious (like transmission or bigger body parts like floor panel) needs repairs and can not be found anymore on retail

[Petros]

welcome to the list!

mechannically most of the engine and drive train parts are common to other models and easy to find. All except the trans, which is the single most costly item to find used only (no new ones). Beside the trans most of the other parts that wear out are straight forward fixing; bearings, ball joints, tie-rod ends, bushing, struts, etc. Watch out for failed head gaskets (look for oil in the radiator, moisture in the oil), it still might run okay, but just be prepared to replace if there is anything amiss with the coolant or motor oil. Wheel bearings are more common problem as they age, again straight forward fix, but without the right tools can be a big PIA. Or cost you big bucks at the local rip-off auto repair.

As for trans, drive though all gears in both 2wd and 4wd, up shift and down shift. Should be no grinding or loud gear noise, these trans should shift smooth and quite. If it does that is is good. Make sure you change the gear oil in the trans regularly and it should last for a very long time. You can test the clutch by standing on the brakes, rev the engine by heel-toeing brake/throttle, and drop the clutch slowly in 2nd gear. It should stall the engine quickly, if not it needs a clutch. Make sure there is nothing in front of the car when you do this, and do not do this test often!

BTW, if it needs brakes you might consider doing a front brake upgrade rather than replace the same flimsy front brakes, good look up by MR2 brake up grade over in the repair guilds section.

Good luck. Post picture of you new purchase!

[Lil Beast]

Toyota trans parts : http://www.drivetrain.com/parts_catalog ... ssion.html might be worth a try they list z40 and z50 no z60 but to my knowledge z50 is the same gear ratios on the normal gears, on z60 they added the ultra low gear and the transfer case. I might give em a call soon, just to clear my curiosity.

[Nytroz]

So I went there and checked it.
Spent half of hour trying to start it. Spark plugs get wet at first try, luck that oldman next door came to see what are we doing and had some spare plugs at his garrage. These were ok, started I'd say normally for car from outside, not runing for months. Exhaust gases look like it does'nt burn ally the fuel, maybe oil too, but too dark for oil (gray, not blueish). at the same time there is almost no gases coming from oil cap on valve cover (removed it once to check)

Didn't liked that it idled at ca 900 rpm without any warmup - +1 outside with rain and wet snow. After 3-4 mins get warmer and started sometime skiping some sparks and almost dying (corrected with acc pedal) (on idle only, all OK when driving)

Made some ride, all gears go in and out smoothly and clearly, in up-down-random order (especially tested 2-3-2-3-2 several times, those would be dead on Celica long time ago) and of cource both 2wd and 4wd. EL works fine too. But 4wd is easy to turn on and very hard to turn it off. Is it ok?

Body has several damages but did't found any serious rust. There was no chance to look at it from underneath.

Engine oil is totally black. Owner sayd all oils need changing. Also carb needs cleaning and adjusting, I had troubles with finding any adequate info about Celica carb adjusting, is there probleems with is there with tercel?
and exhoust pipe needs tto be repaired or replaced. And also it looks like shit inside.

[dlb]

well, i hope you're not paying much for it. sounds like a project.

there is a factory service manual on this website. the link is at the top of every page. it has very good instructions for checking and cleaning the carb and all the emissions stuff. i believe the carb info starts on page 154.

[Petros]

If the price is right, that would be a good buy. THere is nothing seriously wrong with it.

Sounds like carb needs cleaning out or to be rebuilt (not that difficult or costly to do yourself, if you are careful). Could have a vacuum leak to fix too, also easy and inexpensive fix. Might need new spark plugs, wires and cap, also easy. IF distributor or coil marginal might be costly unless you can find a used one in wrecking yard (they are pretty reliable, but they do break down eventually). It might have old gunky gasoline in it make it run bad. If you buy it first put a tank of fresh gas, put two bottles of fuel system cleaner in the tank. Run it out and than change the fuel filter. It should run better.

Stiff shifting out of 4wd is a common issue if tires are not exactly the same size or inflated to same pressure. IF it has been sitting likely you have one or more low tires. This is not a concern, easy fix. It might need tires after sitting so long anyway. IF it has been sitting for more than a year or so you need to watch out for the brakes, the seals can dry out or the fluid collect moisture and cause rust. The brakes may not fail right away, but might need to have the fluid replaced and eventually rebuild master and calipers within a year or more. Might not, but if sitting a long time anything can happen.

The interior is remarkably durable and if fabric is not torn or damaged it will all clean up nicely with a lot of work.

Sounds like a good buy, as long as you are prepared to fix these relatively minor issues. We will walk you through the repairs of course.

Good luck.

[dlb]

petros reminded me, i wanted to mention that it is normally difficult to get it out of 4WD under certain conditions. road surfaces with no give, like dry pavement, make it difficult, whereas surfaces with give, like mud or snow, make it easier. optimally, it is easiest to shift out of 4WD while coasting with the clutch in, on a surface with give.

for those same reasons, do not try to drive tight corners in a dry parking lot on 4WD. the tires will bind and put stress on the diff--not good.

[Nytroz]

It was sitting for about 5-6 month, and rarely used last 2 years. Last spring it was little fixed to pass inspection, and driven smth like 1000 km. Yes, 1 tire was like half-full so as I saw your post about tire I figured out what is the reason. (but I also read on some russian forum that smbd has issue with not being able to switch 4wd off, so thas poor guy had to remove front axles and used car as RWD for several month before he got new tranny)

of cource I don't buy it for everyday use (at least at the moment) and this is not only car in family so I would have enough time and possibilities to give it some proper service. Just need to have spare & reliable car with low fuel consumption and cheap insurance which would be ready to go even in case of nuclear war

[dlb]

estonia! neat. we've had a few scandinavian members join recently--word must be spreading up there.

[Petros]

A nuke war might be something to worry about in your part of the world, it is not like any of your neibors have exaclty had an easy time of it in the last 30 years. The simple and reliable TErcel4wd would be one of the best "survival" vehicle I can think of. Accumulate a small inventory of critical spare parts and there is nothing that will take you further in all conditions for less money. That car sounds like it is well worth buying, post pictures when you get a chance. I would love to see the way they came equipped in Estonia.

All of the survivalists worrying about Armageddon around here always have huge heavy Detroit 4x4s for their "escape" vehicle. The problem is they will not get very far if they can not get fuel for it. Most of the crap made in Detroit is not very reliable either.

[Nytroz]

Hey sorry, I just don't know what BS you TV etc gives to you but "nuclear war" was joke, like "almost anything that could ever happen" including EM storms from the Sun affecting all electronics etc. And I'm not one of those "survivalists", just love cars from era they were made of steel I'm also a little worried about keeping "inventory of critical parts" because I already have some Celica parts in 2 garages (5 engines, 3 gearboxes, and other parts exl. bodyparts from 3-4 car I've disassembled). My GF will just kill me.

Anyway it is almost 100% excluded to see any nuke in this part of world. There is just nothing to take over or where to "bring democracy"

(no offence USA guys)

OT:
Hey have you heard that joke about Antarctica?

"Huge deposits of oil were found under ice of Antarctica. The bloody dictatorship of Penguins would not torturing its freedom-loving people any longer"

[Petros]

That is far more parts than I think you would need to keep a Tercel4wd running for a long time.

[takza]

Anyway it is almost 100% excluded to see any nuke in this part of world. There is just nothing to take over or where to "bring democracy"

(no offence USA guys)

Are you sure you people don't have oil or gas? Shale deposits? We just love oil and gas. "Democracy" is just icing on the cake...and EVERYONE hates US for it? Don't you LIKE democracy...EVERYBODY likes democracy...or at least they'd BETTER!