getting a 93 celica GT wednesday, have some questions

[93celicaconv]

So what became of your project?

I had a Celica 4A-FE engine with a head gasket that was leaking oil. It eventually got to the point where oil was getting into the coolant (but not the other way around, no coolant ever got into the oil, which I'll never understand).

If you can do a timing belt change yourself, you can do a head gasket replacement. You would be 50-75% there already with the work necessary to get the timing belt off. And while you are at it, yes, you should put new gaskets/oil seals on everything accessible - you don't want to go to all this trouble and find an old seal couldn’t handle the disassembly and started leaking on you once you had it put back together.

FelPro makes a head gasket kit, which contains all the gaskets you will need to in the process. I think it also contains the crankshaft, camshaft and distributor oil seals as well. It also contains new valve seals for the head. The cost to machine the head surface, put the new valve seals in, and check/adjust valve lash is probably only about $150 or so, well worth it (if you don't machine the head flat, you will get your leaks again within a relatively short time).

But I'll bet you’re already done with what you did. So what did you do, and how did it go?

[ian14892]

Originally Posted by 93celicaconv

So what became of your project?

I had a Celica 4A-FE engine with a head gasket that was leaking oil. It eventually got to the point where oil was getting into the coolant (but not the other way around, no coolant ever got into the oil, which I'll never understand).

If you can do a timing belt change yourself, you can do a head gasket replacement. You would be 50-75% there already with the work necessary to get the timing belt off. And while you are at it, yes, you should put new gaskets/oil seals on everything accessible - you don't want to go to all this trouble and find an old seal couldn’t handle the disassembly and started leaking on you once you had it put back together.

FelPro makes a head gasket kit, which contains all the gaskets you will need to in the process. I think it also contains the crankshaft, camshaft and distributor oil seals as well. It also contains new valve seals for the head. The cost to machine the head surface, put the new valve seals in, and check/adjust valve lash is probably only about $150 or so, well worth it (if you don't machine the head flat, you will get your leaks again within a relatively short time).

But I'll bet you’re already done with what you did. So what did you do, and how did it go?

I just came across this thread I posted forever ago, had a laugh and decided I'd tell you guys what happened.

Its kind of a funny story, me and my dad were going to replace the head gasket. We started getting into it, I had a haynes manual. We weren't very far in until one of my dads friend was at the house one day saying he didn't think the headgasket was blown. So I decided to get it on the road and just keep track of what was happening. The car does leak a small bit of oil and coolant but I've been driving the car since around when i first posted this thread and it has been completely fine. Just have to keep the oil and coolant topped off, it's annoying but it runs great.

Since then, I have put in rear struts, a trunk hinge, a headlight, a starter, battery, spark plugs, and wires. The Car was running great(I attend the University at Buffalo and have driven home a bunch times with it. It has always been reliable. Its about a 3 hour drive)

HOWEVER, a few weeks ago I actually crashed the car. Its fixable, just looks like the front passenger side control arm and inner tie and my wheel are shot.

So thats my story. If anyone on here has a front passenger control arm or 5th gen OEM wheel hit me up!

[RobMilkshakes]

15" stock steel wheel?

[ian14892]

its the stock alloy 5 spoke I think. i might just put a steelie on it for now but i can get one anywhere =p

http://www.finishlinewheels.com/prodimg/ALY69299U.jpg

[Ace2424]

Possible places for oil to leak on the 5sfe (most common):
Valve cover
Valve cover grommets
Oil pan gasket
Crank seal
Camshaft seal
Oil pump seal

Coolant may be leaking from the outlet on either end (port side with the switches or thermostat side) and burning off... ...it could also be a bad water pump gasket.

I'd say when you get it all together again after the crash to do a timing belt job and replace all the front end seals while you're at it. My 5sfe was bleeding badly out of the front end just from age and due to the fact that it sat for years before I bought it.