There are a few things wrong with it. For one, the spark plugs are covered in engine oil. There is a slight knocking sound in the engine at low rpms, and my friend says its probably because of the engine oil leak. Also sometimes when I start the car (for the first time that day) it either takes a longer time than usual to actually start or it just cranks for a few moments then gives out altogether. When I try again it usually works. Once some dark smoke came out of the exhaust when it started, but went away within a few seconds (This only happened once. The weather is warm and whatever so...i dunno what that means. Also the coolant was low-ish, so I filled it up with 50-50. Within the next couple of days, it was back to low-ish. My car is really weird but she runs fine.
When I was buyin the car i took it to my family mechanic and he said the radiator was corroded, and the tie-rod on the front left wheel needed replacing so im fixing those with a friend. Im just worried that the Head gasket might be busted and I heard those are costly repairs. I wouldnt mind doing it myself if possible... Are blown headgaskets really common among NA's? The car has about 74,000 miles on it. Sorry if it seems like im asking alot. If you could just diagnos and answer bits and peices that would be great. Or if you could simply provide me with a course of action that would be great.
If the radiator is still the stock rad, wash it and keep a close eye on it. Myself and a few other people I know have had ours develop hairline cracks in either the top or bottom tank. Mine didn't leak at all unless I went for some spirited driving. Also check beneath the overflow tank for moisture, a bad radiator cap can allow coolant to exit the system at low pressures in which case the overflow tank may overflow itself. If thosepan out fine pressure test the cooling system.
Jeeves is right, generally, a knocking sound is NOT alright, especially if the engine may have been driven with little to no oil or pressure.
If it's wet oil and not carbon build up from burning oil then it's typically the valve cover seals. Sometimes all that's required it tightening the 6 screws on each valve cover, often they're old and have compressed to the point that they need to be replaced. Don't worry, they're not expensive. Don't over tighten the screws! The TSRM specification is 22 INCH lbs., if I recall correctly. Over tightening can lead to warping of the cover. If you're concerned about the screws backing out over time (when I got my MKIII everyone of them was loose, less than finger tight) then you might add a rop or the removable loc-tite to each screw.
You might just replace the valve cover gaskets while you're there. This sounds like an original stock engine, and 20 years of heat and oil will leave the gaskets pretty brittle and overly compressed. Them and some new screws and the little spacers should net you another 20 years of trouble free driving.
As said by CRE, they are low torque. Screwdriver tight only with a spot of loctite should eliminate the problem, unless there is a chip or gouge in the mating surface. For that, a small dab of RTV or Toyota FIPG should fix the problem.
how long do you think it would take to replace the valve gaskets on a 7mgte?? i have the same problem and i have Student days in school today where we bring our cars in and work on em and i would do the valve cover gaskets...and change my plugs.. i have like 8 hours today and 8 hours tomorrow so i KNOW i can get em done. lol
how long do you think it would take to replace the valve gaskets on a 7mgte?? i have the same problem and i have Student days in school today where we bring our cars in and work on em and i would do the valve cover gaskets...and change my plugs.. i have like 8 hours today and 8 hours tomorrow so i KNOW i can get em done. lol
Well, I can't say how long it'll take you... the first time it took me just a couple hours and I was cleaning as I went. I could do it tonight in about 30 minutes.
Quote:
Originally Posted by shaeff
are you following me? nice to see you here, too!
-shaeff
Heh! You got me! Just trying to help and make sure a few of these stay on the road.
It's funny though, I finally start moving beyond my three usual forums and all of a sudden everyone thinks I'm some smart@$$ newbie with no idea what I'm talking about.... it's kind of amusing.
Don't feel bad, I've been around the supra community since the list server from the mid 90's and most people on the various forums think I'm some smartass noob too! Smartass perhaps, noob not so much!
Well, I can't say how long it'll take you... the first time it took me just a couple hours and I was cleaning as I went. I could do it tonight in about 30 minutes.
Heh! You got me! Just trying to help and make sure a few of these stay on the road.
It's funny though, I finally start moving beyond my three usual forums and all of a sudden everyone thinks I'm some smart@$$ newbie with no idea what I'm talking about.... it's kind of amusing.
yea...it took me bout 5 hours to do it.. first time.. but it went really well and i cleaned also..the shop i was workin in was about 110 degrees and i was sweating my ass off
hey jon, im thinking about doin it this weekend, could u give me a brief step by? Honestly, I dont even know how to get to the valve cover!
I think I can figure it out by what has already been posted, but since you just did it u probably know some things that I could benefit from. Also, where's a good place to by valve cover gaskets. AutoZone?
The valve cover gasket aren't too expensive from the dealer, but an auto parts store might have a set for less. Call around.
Getting the valve covers off isn't hard at all. It might be a good idea to get some masking tape and tape each removed screw and bolt by the hole it belong to.... at least until you're more familiar with the engine. I would probably also replace the upper intake gaskets for good measure.
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nice to see you here, too!
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