Missing Grille?

[sotal]

I've got a 1996 1.8ST Celica (Just posted about oil problems) - Gen6

another thing I have noticed is that there is no grille in the front bumper, just a big hole which allows birds and stones etc to go in and damage the rad.

I have phoned Toyota who asked my reg no, then told me that it was made without one - is that true? He said until June 1996 they didn't have them but I *should* be able to buy the grille and four clips for £27.65 and it *should* fit.

Does that price sound right? Sounds good to me! :) also can anyone confirm that they will fit?

I have included a picture to make sure you know which bit I mean (also do the fogs look right? I thought they should fill those holes???)

Cheers

[GT4 BOOSTER]

thats cheap for the grille , i used some red aluminium mesh for mine , free of charge , just cut to shape. fogs are fine.

[sotal]

Thanks for that maleborn - You seem to be the main man around here! :)

[Calisto]

lol I was just thinking the same thing :group-cuddles: and not forgetting our Daktari :P

to the Celica gang.

[daktari]

lol I was just thinking the same thing  and not forgetting our Daktari 

to the Celica gang.

[GT4 BOOSTER]

behind the grill is a wiggly pipe made of metal for the power steering, you might wanna paint some hammerite on it , they are prone to rust and i guess wont be cheap if it bursts.

[Ken555]

Go to the local DIY store and get a sheet of plaster mesh (Lath), costs about £5.00 and I have made 3 grills for various cars from it so far. Then cut to shape and attach with silicon or cable ties.

A lot cheaper than Halfrads. ;)

[GT4 BOOSTER]

thats what i used too.

[sotal]

behind the grill is a wiggly pipe made of metal for the power steering, you might wanna paint some hammerite on it , they are prone to rust and i guess wont be cheap if it bursts.

Couldn't find that. Maybe it is different on mine?? What is the second little rad infront of the main rad for though?

Also thanks everyone for the tips on how to make your own, but I decided to go for an original one from toyota, I think it ended up at about £27 in total. But if that one breaks (with a bird going through it!) I will make my own and use the clips from that one!

[GT4 BOOSTER]

that would be the air con radiator mate . wash it well in the winter when the gritting starts as salt errodes the aluminium veins.

[sotal]

I haven't got air con! :) Now I'm confused

[Ken555]

Aftermarket oil cooler ? With a leak ;)

[sotal]

Ken555 - I like your way of thinking ;)

but seriously have you guys not got a second little rad infront of the main one?

I have drawn a quick sketch (sorry about the quality of it) of how the rad is arranged. The other thing my little brain couldn't quite cope with was the radiator has a high pressure cap on the top, then as a pipe going into the coolant bottle to the side, which doesn't have a high pressure cap and even has a vent hole at the top :- I figured it must be an expansion bottle??

I wish I could get a haynes manual for the Celica, is there anything else similar?

Cheers

[Dan_Q]

Not sure about your problem mate, but you can get US manuals for celicas. Nip on Amazon for a new one, or keep an eye on eBay for a second hander. Depending on how friendly or useful ur local halfrauds are, they can sometimes get them in too- the haynes US or the chiltons US- although its an order only, they dont stock them. Out of the two i'd reccomend the chiltons one.

[sotal]

Thanks dan, apparantley the second rad is an oil cooler, but a factory fitted standard one. I will have a look to see if I can get a Chiltons Manual then. I presume they are something similar to the haynes manual?? I've got about 5 haynes manuals for different cars!

Just incase anyone cares, I got the Grille on Saturday, Fitted it 10 minutes and I've got to say it looks so much better!

[joarctic]

Could you let me know the part code for the grille please. I've the same problem on mine - looks a bit vulnerable & I do 100+ miles a day on motorways.

I've also had problems with engine running too cool - it's ok in traffic, but cools down as soon as I get up to speed on a cold day. This makes tickover race when you stop & sometimes the auto gearbox doesn't work properly. I'm thinking of partially blocking off the grille to let it warm up. Did fitting the grille affect engine running temp at all ?

Any comments/cures welcome.

Thanks.

[sotal]

no - i didn't notice any difference in temp after installing the grille.

Not sure what the part number is, but Toyota will tell you if you pop in. I phoned up, gave them my reg number and they told me that it never had one, but had one listed that could be added, so I purchased that

It was quite easy to add, just had to undo the plastic splash cover from underneath

It was well worth the money to have the grille though, I've not had anything else embedded in the radiator since!

[GT4 BOOSTER]

the grill is purely cosmetic mate. sounds like your thermostat is broken , common fault on toyotas ( clip at the top comes off and thermostat just sits there doing nothing )if you want heat block off the radiator about 70% with a piece of thin board untill you can get a new stat fitted.

[BenMMellor]

You could also look at fitting the Chrome SR grill as fitted to the SR models - only fits the facelift models though.

It's not cheap at about £95 but is a lot more solid than the cheaper plastic one.

[sotal]

ouch £95!

That's a bit much just for a grille - you'd be better off making one or spraying the black one silver!

I'm suprised it was never a recall because it must cause so many problems not having a grille. most of the ones I see driving don't have a grille so there must be some damaged radiators out there.

Forgot to say in place of the grille there should be a bar across the bit that the grille clips into (keeps the bumber attached - as the top of the grille normally does that job) You just need to remove that (you will probably brake the clips so you should buy new clips as well)