1988 all trac questions - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

colbyjenner · 04-09-2010, 07:38 PM

ok so im looking at getting a 1988 alltrac that has been sitting for a long time and the guy says its slugish cause the injectors need blown out. It also has an exhaust leak and is said to be very loud when the turbo kicks in. Is this safe to drive? I live 5 hours from the car and would have to drive it back and dont want to damage the engine or turbo. Any suggestions that i should do to the car before driving it home. I was thinking of an oil change and trying to fix the exhaust but idk if ill be able to. The car has been sitting for some time until the current owner started it and said hes driven it 15 miles. About how much is an ok 1988 all trac worth?

Thanks for all the help,

Colby

blkavalon · 04-09-2010, 09:51 PM

i am not good with turbo charged vehicles to give advise on. but i have to let you know that you are very lucky to find that car. those are extremely rare cars. i had a camry all-trac it was the best car i ever had. this is a celica and it is turbo charged for me it worth alot.

colbyjenner · 04-09-2010, 10:21 PM

i am going to look at the car sunday so need help asap.

Thanks,

Colby

***MR2Jedi*** · 04-09-2010, 10:56 PM

1st of all, how long has it been sitting? Did they start it once in awhile? These things do make a difference.

Assuming that you've test driven the car for several miles and it runs decently, I would definately change the oil.The stock turbo in the AllTrac uses a floating bearing and dirty oil is bad for it.
Depending on how long it's been sitting, I would be concerned about the fuel too.

Check all the fluids. Some fresh plugs would be good/safer too. I would hate to see you stuck somewhere hours from home.
How badly the exhaust leak affects the turbo depends on where the leak is-at the manilfold before the turbo, you will loose boost as some exhaust energy never makes it to the turbine.
If it's after the turbo you will have boost creep and spikes .
Just take it easy and don't push it.
5 hours is a long way to drive a car thats been sitting.

colbyjenner · 04-09-2010, 11:04 PM

hey thanks for the help. Its been sitting for a while like a couple yrs prior to the current owner purchasing it and driving it only 15 miles. I am going to get an oil change before heading home and going to put alluminum foil and clamps over the leak. Anything else i should check/replace? Anything i should look for before purchasing it?

Thanks,

Colby

Bitter · 04-09-2010, 11:12 PM

the tires are probably junk as are the brakes after sitting like that. seriously consider having it transported to you by a car mover. it should only be a few hundred dollars or less and you won't wreck your new purchase.

***MR2Jedi*** · 04-10-2010, 12:23 AM

Honestly, I wouldn't drive it 5 hours without servicing the brakes, cooling system, full ignition system tune up, a fresh battery, draining the old gas and replace with fresh (91octane or higher), oil change, and decent tires.
Piggy back on a tow truck would be the way I would go-as suggested by Bitter.
Best of luck with whatever you decide.

colbyjenner · 04-10-2010, 10:18 AM

thanks for all the help. I have one more question would the check engine light be on due to the exhaust leak? Also can you get codes pulled from a car this old at napa or autozone?

Thanks,

colby

***MR2Jedi*** · 04-10-2010, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colbyjenner

I have one more question would the check engine light be on due to the exhaust leak?

Not neccessarily.

Quote:

Also can you get codes pulled from a car this old at napa or autozone?

Don't know. Do you have a manual for the car yet? If so, you can get a paper clip, cross connect TE1 and E1 in the diagnostic port, turn igniton to on position-WITHOUT STARTING THE ENGINE- and count the CEL flashes.
ex.= 5 flashes, pause, then 2 flashes = code 52
Then look up the corresponding code.

colbyjenner · 04-10-2010, 12:24 PM

Is there a write up of how to do this? And the code meanings?

Thanks,

Colby J

***MR2Jedi*** · 04-10-2010, 12:31 PM

I just explained it. It's that simple. You can do a search here.
We have the same engine, but the location of components in the engine bay are probably different.
The diagnostic port is labeled "Diagnose"

09yota · 04-10-2010, 02:19 PM

Funny that this post came about. I have an 09 Rolla S and I just bought a 1988 All-Trac last week. Car is awesome. Motor pulls strong. It actually sat in the previous owners back yard for about 8 months. I went there, replaced all the plugs, changed the oil, and drove it right home. Granted, it was only 15 minutes. I have been driven the car about 100 miles since purchase. I replaced the front CV Shafts, and all the inner and outer tierods, and flushed the differential fluid today. The turbo was rebuilt about 5k miles ago. Honestly, I would drive the car your considering buying before you even buy it. I paid 2,000 for mine if you were wondering on price. I have some pictures on celicatech.com. Here is the craiglist ad from buying it if you wanna check out the condition and compare.

http://richmond.craigslist.org/cto/1665931819.html

Anyways, I know this was long and babbled on about a whole lot of nothing, but if your confident with the car get it. i have been SO happy with mine thus far and I am really excited about future mods to it...

***MR2Jedi*** · 04-10-2010, 06:52 PM

There's alot of aftermarket support for the 3sgte engine in it. You can easily hit 280hp with simple upgrades.

colbyjenner · 04-10-2010, 08:21 PM

thanks for all the responses. I am getting the car tomorrow and am trailering it. Anything i should put special attention to when test driving and over looking the car?

Thanks,

colby

***MR2Jedi*** · 04-10-2010, 08:48 PM

I'm glad you decided to trailer it.

A test drive will tell you much. Look for oil leaks, rust, check suspension for bent parts. The usual stuff when buying a car.