Someone from tercelonline.com told me to post here. Here goes......
I just recieved a 1996 toyota tercel for free. The cars engine was dead, but my dad dropped an engine into it. I am assuming its the same type of engine. He got it from a junkyard for cheap from another 96 tercel. The engine is running fine in it, and only has "hesitation"(?) (no power when i hit the gas unless i floor it) on cold days till it warms up. I am guessing its the 93hp engine. It kind of knocks/pings on cold days at start up also. Normal? I put in a bunch of injector cleaner and fuel system treatments and it doesn't really help much on the cold start ups. When engine is warm it is normal.
I am going to assume its a 3 speed automatic because it feels like its a 3 speed when driving on the highway. Is there any way to tell for sure?
One unique thing i encountered is that when i am driving lets say ~65MPH on the highway and then i let me foot off the gas, i will lose speed tremendously fast. i would get down to 55MPH in about a sec/two. Is this normal?
I seem to lose speed fast even at 50mph. Is this because of the transmission? A downfall to the 3 speed(if it is even a 3 speed i dunno)?
Can anyone help me troubleshoot this? Any suggestions on maintenace?
After looking over the car it seems its the most basic model that was offered. No cruise, no abs, no intermintennt wipers, etc....
One thing it does have is power steering and ac. So that is the plus.
Does anyone know how to get the antenna to go back in? It seems to be stuck in the fully extended position.
i notice that my tercel is jerky at speeds of like 40-45, 50-55, 60-65. No problems from 0-40 at all.
If i keep the speed any where between there the car will be jerky, kinda like stumbling?
Not sure what to call it. I thought it was a transmission problem, but i don't think so. When i accelerate the problem seems to minimize/go away. Only when i try to cruise at a steady speed in those speed zones. Anything above 65 at a constant speed i seem to not get the jerky feeling, or its really not noticeable. Its been getting worse every day with the heat wave that we are getting.
So i went out and got that silver engine restorer for the tercel, and put it in the car, and drove around for a few miles testing out the car crusing in those speeds zones above. It seems as though the jerky/stumbling of the car is gone in the 40-45 range, and the 50-55 range its getting better, also the 60-65 range is getting better. It seems to be fixing it up. But i have only driven like 5 miles so far with it in the tercel.
So what do you people think? My engine is screwed up? The restorer seems to be helping.
Anyone know whats going on?
1996 Toyota Tercel engine/transmission problem?
Where do you live?
Well, I really think we need to know more in some sensitive areas. (Guys, we can help him eh?)
What do the spark plugs look like? Check all 4. Are there variances between the 4? Are they oily? Are they covered in white deposits? Grey? Black/sooty?
Shine a flashlight in the hole where the plug was. Was does it look like? Shiny? Covered in carbon?
I am an advocate for a good, stout screwdriver, but others use other items. Put the blade of the driver against a running block. DO NOT GET NEAR THE BELTS OR ANY MOVING PARTS!! THIS IS IMPORTANT! Now, press your ear against the handle. Good places to check, while cold, are the valve cover, any good surface on the head, and if safely possible, the block.
Do you hear a clicking noise, or is it distinct pinging?
What condition is your oil in? What viscosity is the oil? What brand?
What octane do you use? 83? 85? 91?
What shape is your transmissions oil in? What does it smell like? (Thats right, smell it.) If it smells like its just dirty and old, replace it. If it smells like a week-old dead animal, invest in a new tranny, and quick. If it smells sweet, then its likely been changed very recently.
What fuel treatments have you used?
Check your fuel filter, air filter, fuel pump, throttle body, Mass Air Flow meter, etc.
If you are having an odd noise when cold, It would worry me that your oil is bad, or too thick. I use Mobil 1 full synthetic with a little Bardahl No-Smoke (otherwise it eats a quart every 3000 miles)
How many miles are on your machine? If possible, how many are on the engine?
Is everything hooked up right? Who installed the engine? If a garage did it, request that they check for any missing connections or misswiring.
Go to your local Autozone and rent a compression guage. Use it. Report the pressures to us if you will.
If your engine IS bad, don't fret too bad. You might be able to drop an FE block in there. I assume the engine is either a 3E or a 4E?
I assume the tranny has no O/D? My buddys Camaro feels like a 3 speed on the highway, but in fact it is a 4 (4th being O/D)
Well, I really think we need to know more in some sensitive areas. (Guys, we can help him eh?)
What do the spark plugs look like? Check all 4. Are there variances between the 4? Are they oily? Are they covered in white deposits? Grey? Black/sooty?
Shine a flashlight in the hole where the plug was. Was does it look like? Shiny? Covered in carbon?
I am an advocate for a good, stout screwdriver, but others use other items. Put the blade of the driver against a running block. DO NOT GET NEAR THE BELTS OR ANY MOVING PARTS!! THIS IS IMPORTANT! Now, press your ear against the handle. Good places to check, while cold, are the valve cover, any good surface on the head, and if safely possible, the block.
Do you hear a clicking noise, or is it distinct pinging?
What condition is your oil in? What viscosity is the oil? What brand?
What octane do you use? 83? 85? 91?
What shape is your transmissions oil in? What does it smell like? (Thats right, smell it.) If it smells like its just dirty and old, replace it. If it smells like a week-old dead animal, invest in a new tranny, and quick. If it smells sweet, then its likely been changed very recently.
What fuel treatments have you used?
Check your fuel filter, air filter, fuel pump, throttle body, Mass Air Flow meter, etc.
If you are having an odd noise when cold, It would worry me that your oil is bad, or too thick. I use Mobil 1 full synthetic with a little Bardahl No-Smoke (otherwise it eats a quart every 3000 miles)
How many miles are on your machine? If possible, how many are on the engine?
Is everything hooked up right? Who installed the engine? If a garage did it, request that they check for any missing connections or misswiring.
Go to your local Autozone and rent a compression guage. Use it. Report the pressures to us if you will.
If your engine IS bad, don't fret too bad. You might be able to drop an FE block in there. I assume the engine is either a 3E or a 4E?
I assume the tranny has no O/D? My buddys Camaro feels like a 3 speed on the highway, but in fact it is a 4 (4th being O/D)
RIP 10-07- 1984 Toyota Tercel SR5 4wd Wagen 6 speed
RIP 04-05- 1986 Toyota Tercel SR5 4wd Wagen 6 speed
1st Terc- 1987 Tercel SR5 4wd Wagon 6-speed, Sadly cubed
1985 Tercel Standard 4wd Wagon w/ 3-speed auto, Living a happy life in Boulder last I knew
RIP 04-05- 1986 Toyota Tercel SR5 4wd Wagen 6 speed
1st Terc- 1987 Tercel SR5 4wd Wagon 6-speed, Sadly cubed
1985 Tercel Standard 4wd Wagon w/ 3-speed auto, Living a happy life in Boulder last I knew
Ok, i got done messing with the car.
Live in Minnesota.
New Oil Change, added Engine Restore can. I don't know what oil was used. Engine is 5efe.
Spark plugs new, fuel filter new. Using 87 octane gas, used fuel injector cleaner twice, and gas system cleaner once The STP brand. (not all at once) Ran about 4 tanks full of gas total since i have had the car.
Transmission fluid changed, power steering fluid changed.
No OD button on the shifter, sounds pretty high in RPM on the highway so i am guessing 3spd with no OD.
My dad dropped in the engine. Everything is hooked up. Don't hear clicking or pinging. ( did not put my head close to the engine, i am afraid.) I just listened to it while it was on.
Dad Replaced Oxygen Sensor. Went to autozone and says i still need to mess with Electrical Circuit for Knock Sensor.
Car runs better than before, no noticeable jerkyness and it feels like i have more power, and more gas mileage. Much Smoother than before, but i do notice a little jerkiness once in a long while.
Does anyone know how to fix the Knock Sensor/circuitry? My dad is kinda confused. Does this run a big importance to the engine? I don't really have much money after all the stuff i did to it. Please help.
138K on the odometer, no idea what is on the new engine.
BTW when the new Oxygen Sensor was installed it helped tremendously in relieving the jerkiness of the car.
Live in Minnesota.
New Oil Change, added Engine Restore can. I don't know what oil was used. Engine is 5efe.
Spark plugs new, fuel filter new. Using 87 octane gas, used fuel injector cleaner twice, and gas system cleaner once The STP brand. (not all at once) Ran about 4 tanks full of gas total since i have had the car.
Transmission fluid changed, power steering fluid changed.
No OD button on the shifter, sounds pretty high in RPM on the highway so i am guessing 3spd with no OD.
My dad dropped in the engine. Everything is hooked up. Don't hear clicking or pinging. ( did not put my head close to the engine, i am afraid.) I just listened to it while it was on.
Dad Replaced Oxygen Sensor. Went to autozone and says i still need to mess with Electrical Circuit for Knock Sensor.
Car runs better than before, no noticeable jerkyness and it feels like i have more power, and more gas mileage. Much Smoother than before, but i do notice a little jerkiness once in a long while.
Does anyone know how to fix the Knock Sensor/circuitry? My dad is kinda confused. Does this run a big importance to the engine? I don't really have much money after all the stuff i did to it. Please help.
138K on the odometer, no idea what is on the new engine.
BTW when the new Oxygen Sensor was installed it helped tremendously in relieving the jerkiness of the car.