getting a 93 celica GT wednesday, have some questions - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

ian14892 · 08-01-2009, 12:48 AM

I'm buying a 93 celica GT on wednesday for $800. it has some problems but it runs nice as of now. i was told it will need the head gasket replaced and rear struts. if anyone can tell me any good places to get these parts and how to replace them let me know. i'm just getting into toyotas and have a feeling i'll really like this car. also the clearcoat is peeling off but its not rusted underneath. it'll probably just need a paintjob but if anyone can help leave something! Thanks!

ian14892 · 08-01-2009, 01:00 PM

no one can help?

Bitter · 08-01-2009, 01:33 PM

head gasket, get from dealer

struts get from wherever, google it.

ian14892 · 08-01-2009, 02:08 PM

i think i'll do the struts myself but i've never done it before so any help would be appreciated. and i didnt buy the car from a dealer. Will any toyota dealership have a head gasket for it? otherwise i found some with a google search.

Bitter · 08-01-2009, 02:41 PM

naw, toyota dealers don't ever never sell parts for toyotas at all.

of course they'll have it or will be able to order it! but why does it need a head gasket? was it overheated? if it was you'll need the head machined and possibly the block decked too. you may be in over your head, no free lunches in life.

ian14892 · 08-01-2009, 03:32 PM

i dont believe it has been overheated, its running well right now. i'll have to see. haha how much would it cost to get it machined? im afraid i dont want to know

ian14892 · 08-02-2009, 10:25 PM

anyone else???

IvanHoe · 08-03-2009, 05:01 PM

Why do you assume it needs the head gasket?
What are the symptoms?
It's not any easy/cheap fix, perhaps you should look for a better running Celica

ian14892 · 08-06-2009, 10:53 AM

ok well it leaks oil and antifreeze thats why it may need a new head gasket. what would be the best and easiest fix: new head gasket or new 5S-FE?

fishexpo101 · 08-06-2009, 01:33 PM

Who told you it might need a headgasket and only rear struts - was it the owner or a separate garage/mechanic? What else is the car doing, other than leaking oil and coolant. Are the struts leaking? Noticed any damage from underneath? Did you get the car appraised / evaluated before you got it?

First thing I would have done was take it to a garage, toss it on a lift and give it a careful look over. Leaking oil and coolant can come from lots of sources - it is a headgasket - running it would definitely cause you greater issues down the road. Sure almost all cars will "run" with a bad headgasket, doesn't mean you should drive it around. Not only are you leaking fluids, but if they cross contaminated one another - you could be looking at a pretty hefty repair bill. Could be high enough where a swap would be more economical. Either way - cost more than what you paid for the car.

The price is pretty cheap for a Celica, if you were looking for a project car - probably an ideal place to start. If this was intended to be your primary means of transportation and you were going to fix it as you go along - might not have been the best investment of your time/money. You could have gotten a better condition 6th gen for not much more than what you paid for this one.

ian14892 · 08-06-2009, 09:25 PM

well thanks for your opinion, i did buy it planning to work on it, but it was also going to be my primary transportation. i do have a truck that i use everyday and can still drive so maybe i can replace the gasket before its on the road anymore. i have been researching how to change headgasket online for about a week, thinking about doing it myself with some help from someone who has done it before. the radiator has been replaced so the leak is not from there. if the oil was changed could you tell for sure if it is the head gasket that needs to be replaced by seeing if there is coolant in the oil?

ian14892 · 08-07-2009, 02:32 PM

today im clearing out a space in my dads garage to work on it. my dad also went to a local shop and got an estimate of about 800 to replace the gasket and machine the head. maybe if i start working on it i can do a write up with some pics on here as i fix her up

fishexpo101 · 08-07-2009, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ian14892

if the oil was changed could you tell for sure if it is the head gasket that needs to be replaced by seeing if there is coolant in the oil?

Only when it gets to the later stages, when the headgasket is really chewed up. Right way to test it, is to collect some of the used motor oil and send it off to be chemically tested. Usually when you see coolant in the oil, it is generally too late for the bearings and the like - looking at a likely engine rebuild.

If a headgasket leak is definitely suspected - I'd really shorten that oil change interval (maybe 1000 miles or less). The less contact that contaminated oil has spent with your engine, the better the chance that other potential engine damage will be minimized.

Depending on the condition that the engine is - might been a good idea to replace the bearings and clean up the head a bit - assuming that both the block and head are straight/can be straightened.

Yeah, don't take my post literally as this car being a poor candidate for a DD - as long as you have another vehicle you can count on for any downtime your car will see and those unexpected issues that always creep up with this type of project - should be just fine.

Defintely, if you have the chance, post up your progress as you go along. Everyone likes to see pics and it will be a good resource for anyone else looking at a similar situation.

ian14892 · 08-08-2009, 09:48 PM

alright well im feeling better about the car now. i'm going to keep researching how to do it and order the parts

i found just the head Gasket: http://www2.partstrain.com/store/det.../FP9861PT.html

or a gasket set:
http://www2.partstrain.com/store/det...PHS9861PT.html

should i replace only the head gasket? or would it be easy to just replace the other gaskets while i have the engine torn apart?

ian14892 · 08-16-2009, 04:16 PM

i found a spot where the oil seems to be leaking and it looks like it might be the valve cover but that wouldnt explain leaking coolant and i believe the hoses have been replaced