Newbie Questions-servicing

[RazorRat]

Hi There Im Doing some work over the weekend and thought i would ask some questions.

My Car is a GT N reg 150.000 on the clock

1- going to do an oil+Filter change ive gone and got Castrol GTX Magnatec 10w-40 Is This Ok also how much of it would i need,also would i need a new sump plug.

2- Also where is the fuel filter.

3-i saw in Halfords one of those bottles you pour into a full tank of petrol every 3 months to clean your engine (do these work ?)

4-is there any web sites that are quick and reliable so i can get a decent panel air filter.

5-Also how close to the car do most people get to the car before the alarm activates/deactivates from the fob.

6-does the celica need a new distributor cap and rotor arm as ive never owned anything after 1990 and all cars before that have needed them,and i like to do these things at the same time as everything else.

Hope You can help

Thanks in advance

[Boro Sera]

1. No you wouldn't need a new sump plug, but replacing the copper washer on the sump drain is advisable. ( pennies from your Toyota dealer )

3. I presume you mean Redex ( or similar ). Yes it works, although can cause short term problems too. It dissolves all the crap in the system and has been known to block injectors/carbs by loosening built-up deposits and flushing them into the fuelling system. These new blockages dissolve too, but it can leave you stranded overnight !

[sotal]

1. Only use a genuine Toyota Oil Filter as they have a special one way valve inside them. Any non-genuine oil filter will cause more harm than good.

The oil filters are about £8 from any TOyota Dealer and include a replacement sump plug washer.

5. About 3 foot away

[RazorRat]

Thanks for the reply's

Also is it ok to use Halfords advanced antifreeze coolant(i used to own a mk1 mr2 very picky)

If i put the redex in is it worth changing the fuel filter after or before i put it in.

I know some of these are probably silly questions,sorry but everything was an effort with the mr2.

With the coolant change do i drain it from the radiator only as the mr2 had about 4 diffrent places.

Thanks again.

[daktari]

I`d be inclined to use the pukka red toyota stuff. It`s only about 18 quid for 5 litres. If you`re going to use Redex or injection cleaner change the filter after it`s done the job. And there should be a drain tap on the bottom of the rad. On mine it`s on the lower L/H side and faces toward the engine.

[edamduke]

I did a lot of similar work about a month ago. It easily swallowed 5L of Magnetec but it's always handy to have 0.5L to keep as a top-up.

I'd change the fuel filter after the Redex.

Redex may have done something but I put in 99RON fuel and modified the induction system at the same time so not sure how well it worked.

Only use Toyota forlife coolant, other stuff may harm it as it requires a very careful mix. I was pleasently suprised by the cost from Toyota. I just drained it from the rad and filled it up. If I were you I'd drain what's left in the engine too for a more complete change. Might be worth removing the reservoir bottle if cruddy and giving it a good clean.

Check the condition of the aux belts too whilst your there.

[RazorRat]

Thanks for the reply's.

the red stuff toyota sell is it a ready mix,meaning i cant add water to it.

Also i done the oil change today and im not sure if ive under filled it or over filled it.

i put in about 4 liters and about 4 liters came out,on the dipstick near the low line its covered properly but then only 1/2 is covered on the way up over the full line.

Not sure if that makes sense

but theres no oil light on the dash when i start her up.

[edamduke]

The coolant is all ready no need to alter the mix. I have exactly the same problem with the dipstick and found it very hard to tell but I put in 5L and it is near max now. If you check itnogh times, especially when warm it is more clear to see.

[RazorRat]

Thanks edamduke,will do.

just checked it was bang on 4.5L(poured old oil into measuring bottle) so i should'nt be far off as i poured in 4.5.

How many liters will i need of coolant as a few posts up say toyota sell it in bottles of 5l.

can't be any more than 2 bottles can it?

[edamduke]

I still had some left over from 5L but then I didn't drain it from the engine, just the rad. The manual says 7L in total and I seem to remember the guy at Toyota saying that you can buy top-up bottles.