OK, I've tried posting on several sites now with the same question, but so far without any luck. Either there's very little "traffic" on those other sites or there's really nothing I can do. I hope however this might be the place where I may get some help. I do realize that it might be difficult to give any concrete advice over the internet, but I'm hoping that someone else might have encountered some of the same problems that I'm facing, so here it goes:
I have a 2 door standard transmission tercel ('91), who has served me very well. I used to get about 30 mpg(highway)/20 mpg(city but lately I've noticed a severe drop in these numbers (by a factor 2 - ie. half of what they were). It is also starting to use a lot more oil than it used to. I understand it's an old car, but we're talking about 5 quarts in the last month alone.
I've also noticed that the temperature gauge is not moving at all, and the heater doesn't really blow hot air even when the car supposedly is warm. I guess this means that the thermostat is gone, but could it mean something else too (higher gas and oil consumption perhaps)?
Last summer I had an incident where the car almost overheated, and in fact stopped on its own while driving. After having checked the coolant, I found the reservoir was empty. I figured that was the problem, refilled it and didn't think any further about this, as it again was driving fine, although thinking back now it was a little rough at times.
As you can probably tell, I'm no ace when it comes to cars and their maintenance, and I'm afraid it has come back to bite me in the a....
Besides the heavy gas and oil consumption, I've also noticed white smoke coming out of the exhaust, which from what I've read so far on this board (and others) could mean that coolant is getting leaked into the motor and combusting it (which would explain its consumption). On top of that, I've also noticed in the last month or so that it loses it's power even with the slightest incline (going up a hill). On flat roads there's no apparent change, and the car seem to run just fine.
I took it to a local shop and they claim that cylinder #4 is blown, and I will have have to exchange the motor, which could set me back $1500+. Now, I'm a student with no money, yeah I know what's new, but I'm really dependent on having a vehicle so what do you guys recommend? Is it possible to just replace the blown (4th) cylinder, or is it a lost cause already? Could it be that the faulty thermostat is causing these problems? Again, I don't know much about cars, but if the thermostat isn't working wouldn't it mean that the car doesn't "know" when it's warm or when it's overheating? I also read somewhere here on these boards that a faulty thermostat may cause the coolant to overflow. Any truth to this?
Any advice from you would be much appreciated, I could really use some good news right about now. Thanks in advance for your help.
A desperate Tercel Owner
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