Is tercel really toyota's Pinto?

[freepunk71]

I have a 1994 Toyota Tercel. When it is running, it runs really smoothly. In park or neutral. Once the transmission is in Drive or Reverse, it runs rough and then dies. Pulled codes and got a code 31, which I believe has to do with the MAP sensor. Haven't replaced it as not totally sure that is the problem. Now code 31 is gone and code 51 is being displayed. But only when the transmission is Drive or Reverse. Not neutral like the service manual states. In neutral the Check engine light just flashes. No pauses or anything. On off on off.... And doesn't stop either. Have tried 2 different computers. Still the same thing. When I talked to the dealership, just to kind of pick their brain a little bit. I told them that I had been a technician in the industry for about 13 years, so I know a little bit about what goes with cars. Anyway, they told me that Tercel's were notorious for needing the lower end rebuilt at about 90,000 miles. They said that the rings go bad and that's probably why my car dies when put in to a gear. The guy kinda chuckled and said "we have a running joke around here. We call the lower end rebuild service a "Tercel 90." I was always under the impression that Japanese cars had long engine life. THis is my first, so I don't know what to expect or believe. Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[lt1tyrell]

Well I wouldn't say it is toyota's pinto...I know the valve seals were bad on the 3-e engines but I have heard of the bottom end of these engines lasting a very long time even with leaking valve seals. Mine smokes a bit on start up and uses a little oil but it still runs like a top. I just keep a close eye on the level, it has been like this for a couple years now. As for your codes and other problems I am sure somebody else will know whats up.

[WilliamRobert]

I don't know about other Tercel's, but mine is still running strong with 400+ km on the original engine. Sure I've done some work to it, valve seals, a couple of timing belts, oil pan gasket, oil pump O-rings, cam seal, but I consider those types of repairs as normal wear and tear. I've never taken the head off of this engine and I did a compression test a couple of years ago and each cylinder was at 155 psi. Not to bad for an engine with over 400km on it.
I don't know what code 31 or 51 are, but with a car as old as yours, there are lots of things that can cause you to have mystery fault codes. Old brittle wires, corrosion on wires, loose connectors, old vacuum lines. I did have a similar problem with another Tercel a few years ago. It turned out to be cracked and leaking vacuum lines comming from the idle up solenoid. It is located on the passanger side strut tower. there are two right there (brown and green), I think that the idle up solenoid is the brown one.

[Tercel GTS]

Here's the deal in straight talk. The dual cam versions of this engine have a cover over the valves that prevents oil being splashed on in the volume it is in the single cam engine. Dual cam engines are 5efe in 95^ Tercel or all Paseo. Single cam are 3e and 3ee. In countries other than USA the option of a 4efe or 4efte also exist, these are dual cam as well.
Once the valve seals start leaking on the 3e's many owners switch to the cheapest oil they can find instead of repair. This cheap oil sticks the rings to the pistons causing the compression loss. Clean the pistons and install a fresh head and gasket. You'll be shocked at how much better the car runs and might even get real fuel economy again. Something you WON'T get from a Pinto.

[96paseo]

Um, the Pinto also could burst into flames when rear-ended. Scratch that one off the list for the Tercel. Whats is really notorius is the lack of maintenance most of these little cars get. They sell for cheap and run well so most don't spend the money to get proper oil changes, use synthetic oils or even bother to change the gear oil or ATF. Infrequent oil changes is a great way to prematurely wear out or kill a motor.

[thirdcel]

Definitely not a Pinto. I had a 92 Tercel and all I really got from it was a little oil but because i did not have the stem seal (Valve seals) replaced. This never slowed down my vehicle's performance, and my fuel economy was still great.
Remember that Tercel recieved a J.D Power and Associate Award for best quality in it's class. That means that that it was the best build compact vehicle overall. Don't listen to those guys who want to repair your car, no matter how experienced they might sound.
Do you know how many times I did not check my oil level when it was time to to feed it nearly almost 2 quarts and my engine never broke down. This problem is not major because its very inexpensive to fix. Other vehicles suffer much more serious an expensive problems.
Sometimes people will replace other things that could be related to the problem to ensure the possibilities. Sure it's a nice to replace everything brand new in the engine but. But Doing what is not necessary might be a waste of time and money. Think about that.
If your having loss of power, look somewhere else; cause its definitly not the stem seals or the piston rings.
I would save the embarrasment, and repair the stem seals if it is smoking really bad.
And still; you can run Tercel for another 90,000 miles without repairing this problem; it's been proven.
That to me is reliable.

[3ee4banger]

Just qurious but how old is the gas?