E12 Toyota Corolla T3 VVTi (Project)

[PaulinhoT]

Well I've been away from Toyota's for about 3 years, but the other day this rather nice E12 came onto the market locally, so I just had to take a look.

The car has covered 97,000 and has had 1 lady owner from new. The E12 has lots of age related marks, and being 100% honest kind of smells a little, but what second hand car doesn't. The car is "nameless" at the moment (yes I name my cars) and I've only driven about 15 miles in her, as I've yet to decide what to do, as in terms of which way to take it. I think some wheels and suspension are 100% needed, as it feels a little soft to enjoy. My daily is an ST170 (with some mods) as I work at a Ford dealership, but over the next few months I hope to have a little fun with this car.

[PaulinhoT]

So this morning I decided to give the interior a quick "level 1" clean, and by this I mean a general vacuum and wipe of everything, I use a antibacterial car interior cleaning to remove a lot of blackness and scum that builds up over the cars lifetime, I also find this removes any silicon spray that has been used to hide things.

My first point of cleaning was the back of the car, no idea why but it seemed to smell, which could of been from a pet ? but it wasn't full of hairs, so no idea. I did find a couple of cleaning cloths in the back, and a body warmer that looked like something out of the late 80's and despite being 45 myself I put it in the bin :D I should of burnt it to be honest.

 

This was the state of the back of the car, which is pretty poor by my standards.

[PaulinhoT]

So the cleaning began, which started with a quick wash of the spare wheel well, and removing lots of black ? as well as various items, i.e a packet of plasters, a paint brush, some nuts and bolts, screws, a broken bulb on the floor, a playing card, and lots of random stuff like that.

I also removed the plastic keep safes inside the back, as they were filthy, which I washed with some Muck Off. The cloth was just from doing the metal floor ?

[PaulinhoT]

After removing the plastic stays I discovered the screws were a little tatty, so rather than replace them I resprayed them black, I also sprayed the spare wheel stay, as that was rather bad to. The parcel shelf was vacuumed on both sides, as was the carpet. I gave the plastics a real good going over, and they came up much better (although pictured wet).

[PaulinhoT]

I did wash the spare wheel and tire, but the rubber seems to be marked a little, I also noticed I must be missing some tools, i.e. a jack ?

I tired my best to clean the carpet, but that is really bad, so I will dig my wet vacuum out tomorrow if the weather is warmer. I also did the interior glass, and cleaned all around the inside of the hatch and plastics, then closed the hatch knowing it smelt SO much better.

[PaulinhoT]

Now it was midday and the weather was really starting to turn, thick cold fog was heading into the bay, and the temperature was really beginning to drop but I had to make a start on the interior. The drivers seat is matted with dirt, which is pretty bad, and I suspect beyond cleaning 100%, but I tried and set about cleaning everything.

[PaulinhoT]

Hard to spot any difference in these photos, but trust me, everything has been cleaned. Ever switch, button etc, the seats were moved back and forth and vacuumed underneath and around. I lifted the rear seats, but not the carpet (which may happen in the spring) and found more goodies under them, but no money (?). I took all of the little rubber place mats out of the doors and center console etc and washed them all. However I'm pretty sure the drivers seat is just beyond it, it's clean but not clean enough, so I'm not overly bothered as I plan on swapping i for a more gripping one.

[PaulinhoT]

I've not done the seat belts as I normal clean and wipe them, and sadly the top of the steering wheel looks like someone has gripped it rather to hard and left marks on it. It actually looks like how the Clio steering wheels melt, maybe it's actually that ? is that a common thing with the E12 ? also the gearbox gator cover seems to have slipped down, is this normal ?

[PaulinhoT]

Next I decided to open the bonnet and take a look and talk about dirty, but I wanted to get at least started, before I went really crazy and got out the tooth brush

So this is the before photo, and as you can see, it's never been touched.

[PaulinhoT]

Now a little much off and some engine dressing, and although FAR from finished, and I mean far.. this was the quick result before my hands froze and I had to come inside

 

The irony is I was planning on doing some work in the garden, and installing a new rotary washing line, sadly that never got a look.

[oldcodger]

Looks like you are being busy !

What I did when I cleaned out the boot area was to apply some  sound deadening pads around the wheel well, it really made a difference and I lost that back end drumming/boominess and sounded a lot plusher.

While down there did you pull back the covers and check below the light clusters, their seals can leak and the water collect in the very bottom of that rear of the wing; you will also find the rear air vents down there , so check they are not blocked, again  put some sound deadening on the inside of the rear wings.

As a T3, think it may have some reversing sensors as standard ?  - if not its a good add on, used some cheap eBay ones and they are still working well today, saved a good few scrapes.

You can also mod the rear light clusters so the rear fog lights are on  both sides.

Replacing the front Speakers give a great sound improvement, my Pioneers came with separate tweeters, so mounted then up high, which give a real soundstage improvement.

Think your must be a 2002-2004 model as its got a throttle cable, 2005 on are fbw.

 

 

[PaulinhoT]

Thanks for the tips, the N/S rear light is a little wet on the inside of the glass, so I will remove them both tomorrow and take a look. The car doesn't have reverse sensors, and will look into possible options online. I also like the addition of Speakers, and suspect at some point down the line I will upgrade the audio system :D ( do people still call it ice? )

 

The car is a late 2002 model, and oddly I found the throttle a little slow on lift off, although that could be because I'm used to my ST,  I will go and put some spray grease on the mechanism, hopefully that will make some difference.

 

I've also noticed the passenger window sticks for about a millisecond when opening, about 1/2 way down, so another job to do tomorrow. Also the radio seems to have really poor reception, and having looked at the aerial it's a little tired, so I will check the cable and replace that to.

 

Ultimately I want to make the car stop, turn and go a little better, but again thanks for the additional information :D

[PaulinhoT]

So rather a small update today, but I managed to get a few other things done, sadly I didn't get around to taking the rear lights out, but I did check the oil, which looks lovely and fresh, as does the filter and air filter. Although If I do an engine swap I will sort out some form of induction system anyway.

Today I gave the car a simple wash and small detail, i.e. things like behind the filler cap, which was filthy and door rubbers etc, but when it gets a little warmer I plan on giving it a real clean. Sadly the bonnet seems a little marked up to get right, a few stone chips and odd marks in the paint, which looks like paint burn caused from bird poo :( maybe a respray or carbon bonnet if anyone makes one ?

[PaulinhoT]

Another little job was to try and clean the wheels, although they will end up as my winter wheels as I plan on changing them, either for some 17" or 16" with rather sticky tires, But I gave the wheels the best clean I could, and yet still some dirt remained in the corners :(

 

I may need to try something a little stronger.

[oldcodger]

Looks good and clean , will bring mine round next weekend 

Don't forget the pollen filter behind the golve box, usually thick in debris.

One of those air con cleaners canisters  usually freshens up the inside.

Another common service item is the caliper slider bolts can seize if not cleaned / lubricated regularly; often clean up ok without the need to replace though you can get a rubber kit if the pins rubber sleeve is past it.

Just don't do my mistake and get the rubbered and non rubbered pins the wrong way around or your pads wear uneven.

[PaulinhoT]

Thanks for the information, I will take a look at the pollen filter asap, and I had forgotten about the air con trick, cheers :D I will check the pins next weekend :D thanks.