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  #1  
Old 11-12-2003, 10:59 PM
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Question Got a Toyota Celica - some qn's (timing belt,etc.)

Hi all,

I just acquired a 1995 Toyota Celica GT






The selling dealer told me that I need to have the timing belt checked out. It has 103000 mi. and there is no writing of any sort on the timing belt cover indicating that it's been replaced. The car however runs really well. The engine idles really smooth (relatively...), makes good power, no funny noises or anything.

The dealer wants $280 to do the t-belt ONLY.. and some indepent shops want $350+!! and they already talked to me about water pump, drivebelts, etc...

is there anything that I can do to check the t-belt to see if it needs to be replaced or not?

I'm gonna pick up a Haynes manual tomorrow or something.

one shop told me "oh.. so it hasn't snapped? just wait til it starts making noise"

can I just take off the timing belt cover and inspect the belt visually? or do I have to check for stretch too?


another question is that the transmission grinds going into third unless I match the revs correctly (quite a learning curve). Would going to a syncromesh manual transmission fluid at least help?

*this car makes me realize just how bad I am with a standard shift...*

other than that it's a great car! Handles nice.. fun to drive...except for the very rough 5sfe engine...

Thanks
-

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  #2  
Old 11-12-2003, 11:13 PM
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Nice car!

I used to have an older model. I'm pretty sure that there is no timing belt, hence the lack of records of it being replaced.

Check to make sure it's not a timing CHAIN instead.

Hope this helps. Toyota makes a great car, particularly the Celica.
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  #3  
Old 11-13-2003, 12:11 AM
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Quote:
Originally posted by Offender
Holson, why is the front end a different color from the rest of the car?
I really don't know... I'm guessing the front bumper has been repainted. It really doesn't have as many rock chips as it should have (103,000 mi.) especially when the headlights are already pitted...

Also the whole car's paint is nowhere near as shiny as that front bumper and the plastic rear bumper. Needs a good waxing I guess..



sfloriII,

I looked through Fastlane and they sell timing belt kit for the car.. so i'm pretty sure it uses a belt instead of a chain.

Which model Celica did you have? The 90-93? or the older one?
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Old 11-13-2003, 12:22 AM
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Starting in 1985, Toyota switched to a front drive platform and timing belt engine for the 4 cylinder Celica. Some Toyota timing belt engines, but not all, are what's called a non-interference design. On the non-interference engines, if the timing belt breaks, there's enough clearance built into the engine that the pistons won't hit the valves. If it's an interference engine, and the belt breaks, you could add hundreds or thousands of dollars in engine damage to the timing belt job.

There should be a timing belt replacement interval given in the maintenance schedule of your owners manual, if you got one with the car. There are manuals at some auto parts stores that will tell you which engines are or aren't interference designs. Or you can ask your local Toyota dealer. Unless the belt is ready to come apart, just looking at it may not tell you if it's overdue. I recently replaced a timing belt on a '96 Volvo that was nearly 20,000 miles overdue and the old one was barely showing traces of roughness. Only after the old belt was removed could I see the hairline cracks starting on the rubber teeth. On many timing belt engines, the timing belt has to come off anyway to replace the waterpump. On some, the timing belt even drives the waterpump. As waterpumps tend to have a relatively high failure rate, especially on higher mileage engines, it's a good idea to go ahead and replace it when you do the timing belt.

Happy Motoring, Mark
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Old 11-13-2003, 12:34 AM
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The timing belt on my 97 Camry is to be replaced every 60k miles. I did not do my water pump the first time (60k) but will at 120k along with the belt tensioner. Just so I don't have to go back in there again.

If you can not find out for sure, I would just have it done. A couple hundred bucks is pretty cheap insurance...

You can rack some miles up on those too. I saw a celica with 293k and still going last year. It was an '88 I think.
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  #6  
Old 11-13-2003, 12:58 AM
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Mine was an '83, so they must have done things differently back then. I'm not positive as it is as to whether it had a belt or a chain. Great car, though... at least until it was stolen late one snowy night an hour or so before I had to leave for work! Never saw it again after the insurance company gave me "fair market value" for it, I still owed $300! A lot of money when I was making only $18,000 a year then! That was 1993.
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Past:
2006 Jetta TDI 135,970 miles. Sold Nov. '13.
1995 E-320 Special Edition. 220,200 miles. Sold Sept. '07.
1987 190-E 16 valve. 153,000 miles. Sold Feb. '06.
1980 300-D 225,000 miles. Donated to the National Kidney Foundation.
1980 240-D manual, 297,500 miles. Totaled by inattentive driver.
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  #7  
Old 11-13-2003, 01:51 AM
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Congratulations and nice car Holson! I used to have an '87 Celica with the 3SFE engine. The rule of thumb I used in regards to the timing belt was to have it replaced every 100,000 KM (60,000 miles); cheap insurance - compared to it breaking!

It's quite a job, mainly due to the limited space; which is why I used to have the waterpump replaced at the same time.

That model should have the 5SFE engine, which is the same engine used on some 4 cylinder Toyota Camry's. Since there is no sticker indicating the belt change, I recommend having it done asap given the mileage.

BTW - these are great cars to have! Good luck!
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Old 11-13-2003, 10:17 AM
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Just pay the $$ and get it done. Cheap insurance in the long run.
BTW, that IS cheap. I just paid $1028 to have the timing belt and water pump replaced on my wifes POS Chrysler Cirrus
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Old 11-13-2003, 10:39 AM
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Yeah, I think $280 is a fair price for the timing belt on that car. Most of those cars have difficult access, and the job is a bit of a bear. However, they can't charge the actual time, and instead use the flat rate. The market demands that, as people would shy away from certain cars if it cost $800 to change the timing belt.

As an example, my Mazda dealer charges $229 installed for a timing belt on any pre 1994 four cylinder Mazda.
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Old 11-13-2003, 12:07 PM
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If that car has the 5S-FE engine then it is the same as the one in my Camry. My manual says to do the belt at 60k miles. It will not hurt the engine if it breaks, luckly. Mine broke at 110K on I-95 the belt was originally done at 80K miles. i would get it done asap! Also, these engines don't idle very smooth and vibrate at idle. Check for oil leaks around the valve cover and oil cooler. Both cheap quick fixes. Doing, the water pump is probably a good idea to. Mine was done at 115K.
The Camry in the seconed picture is identical to mine. If you have any more questions I have a manual, and a Chiltons.
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  #11  
Old 11-13-2003, 10:11 PM
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Thanks guys,

Gonna get the timing belt and water pump replaced tomorrow. After that I'll do the tune up myself. I'm also planning on getting some cross-drilled brakes just for looks hehe

I actually like the front end of the 5th generation better (the flip up headlights) but I think the 6th has a nicer interior...

I just bought a Haynes manual for it actually... gonna start working on it

funny that I get a warmer welcome having bought a Celica here compared to a Celica-specific website...
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  #12  
Old 11-13-2003, 10:55 PM
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Well, I happen to think that we're pretty civilized bunch here. MB demographics? Good moderators? Who cares, it works!

I found a board for Canadian car nuts, and found it filled with adolecent rude morons that do nothing but swap insults. Too bad.

MB-Shop is the best, and let's work to keep it that way!

BTW, I see lots of those Celicas on the road, and they look like they hold up well. I was surprised that they sold so well, as they were pretty pricey in Canada, with middle models costing thousands more than a similar Integra. Toyota's name means something...
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  #13  
Old 11-14-2003, 02:05 AM
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On the other hand, mention the L---- word around here and all hell breaks loose

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  #14  
Old 11-14-2003, 02:57 AM
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nice car holson!!! I looked at celica's when i was looking for a new car, had a nice one come up i would probably have that instead of my teg( i'd like to think i ended up with the better car ). Is she a 5spd or auto?? I think our cars are as close as an acura and toyota will ever be...nice choice. I dont know about celica's but i know that my integra needs it's timing belt replaced every 90k or else if it snaps i'm in for a HUGE repair bill.
Ryan
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  #15  
Old 11-14-2003, 03:15 PM
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Quote:
Originally posted by sixto
On the other hand, mention the L---- word around here and all hell breaks loose
haha That is so true


btw RG5384,

it is a 5-speed..

the Celica's at the dealer for a complete cooling system flush (the coolant was nasty and dark brown in color...) and timing belt + drive belts.

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