Help With Import Repairs

[ritch]

Hi

Just joined the forum, a couple of weeks ago I brought an import 1994 Celica GT 6th generation model. I got it from a private sale at £2300. looking at it now I think I paid way too much as there are a few issues with it but there you go, I took a bit of a risk looking at it without an expert.

First of all the cam belt was last done at 40,000 miles, its now on 89,000 so I’m pretty anxious to get it done. Problem is my garage cant do it because it is an import. Unfortunately I am new to this stuff so I am not sure what to expect now. I know I need to go to a garage that caters for imports but how much would I be looking at for a new cam belt to be fitted at a place like that? I’m not sure how to go about booking it in, do the garages tell you over the phone if they can get parts for your car, would that kind of job take a while?

The other problem is a pretty bad oil leak according to my mechanic. Its not leaking badly onto the ground but has been collecting between the gearbox and engine apparently. My mechanic is going to find out where it is coming from and hopefully tell me what parts I need so that I can ask an import garage.

Anyway, apart from these problems and probably paying too much for the car I am pleased with it, it feel nice to drive and the engines sounds ok but like I say I am no expert. Bit rough around the edges but has cleaned up pretty nice. I am prepared to spend a bit of cash on it to sort out the problems, I just hope nothing else crops up though!

Sorry if the questions have been asked a thousand times, would appreciate any info

Thanks

[El Saundo]

JDM and UK cars are essentially the same car, they are not identical in every respect but I would be very suprised if a cam belt for a UK celica wouldn't fit a same generation import with the same engine.

The only differences I know of between my JDM GT-R and the UK GT is different standard toy spec (electric folding mirrors, seats, no sunroof etc. and the fuel mapping (petrol in Japan has higher octane rating).

Oh and no rear fog light, my drivers side reversing light was converted to one. Bolt on ones are ugly.

Oh and welcome!

[ritch]

thanks

well my mechanic told me they cant get hold of a cam belt for it, maybe they just cant get one for that model full stop. so i guess i need to phone round and ask what garage will do parts for it, its a bit annoying because i really want to get that cam belt done asap. would you say its a risk to use it a lot when im a few hundred miles away from the recommended change date! last thing i need is that going on me.

i see what you mean, mine has no sun roof, electric and folding mirrors. its got a bolt on fog light which is a bit ugly!

thanks for the welcome

[Sketchy]

let me know you vin number and I can look up the part number for you. then you can order it from a toyota dealer Parts department or from one of the following

Cheap Toyota Parts

TCB Parts

Then get your mechanic to fit, process is exactly the same as for a UK car. Infact their made in the same factory in japan, hence the "Made In Japan" stickers on UK cars ;)

If he start maoning about it, have you considered doing it yourself?

[ritch]

the vin number is: - ST2020064080

thanks for any info on that, would help to get an idea of prices

as for fitting it myself i wouldnt know where to start! dont think i have the equipment to do a job like that. I'd love to do that kind of stuff though, amazing how much garages charge

I picked the car this morning from my garage. They said there are various oil leaks coming from the cam cover, engine sump and gearbox seals. Said they cant get the parts and might not have the tools needed to fit them. does that sound like a big job, bit worried about the number of sources where the leak is coming from.

anyway, they said take it to an import specialist. What would be the best way to approach that, do you just leave it with them for weeks until they get the parts or do thay usually have them in? or is it better to get them yourself

[El Saundo]

That garage sounds like it's full of chumps. Metric UK tools = Japansese Metric tools! Or they've just never worked on a celica before and can't be bothered and are just fobbing you off elsewhere. All celicas where built in Japan anyway weren't they? So in theory if they can't work on yours they can't work on any UK's either?

I'd take it to another garage, if they say they can't get parts for imports, then give them contacts linked previously or the number of the nearest toyota garage and tell them now they can, or just acquire the parts yourself.

[marvinGT4]

the vin number is: - ST2020064080

thanks for any info on that, would help to get an idea of prices

as for fitting it myself i wouldnt know where to start! dont think i have the equipment to do a job like that. I'd love to do that kind of stuff though, amazing how much garages charge

I picked the car this morning from my garage. They said there are various oil leaks coming from the cam cover, engine sump and gearbox seals. Said they cant get the parts and might not have the tools needed to fit them. does that sound like a big job, bit worried about the number of sources where the leak is coming from.

anyway, they said take it to an import specialist. What would be the best way to approach that, do you just leave it with them for weeks until they get the parts or do thay usually have them in? or is it better to get them yourself

I have an import celica and have no problems at all with servicing and repairs.

I generally get the parts as sketchy said , from toyota branch or tcb performance. Then take them to a garage i trust to do the work for me. Or a helpful garage will order the parts in for you.

try other garages in your area that might be more helpful

[Sketchy]

Humm, think you missing a few bits off the vin number should have BLMVF or similar between the ST202 and the rest of the numbers.

Should be visable on the silver plack on the firewall at the back of the engine bay and also stamped into the stop of the firewall above where the break master cylinder is i.e. in front of the driver.

All of the leaks you mentioned are common leaks for old worn celica's the one from round the rocker cover will be the rocker cover gasket. Normally just a case that the bolts holding the rocker cover down have come loose do them up a bit and the leak here will most likey stop.

The gearbox/engine one will be the rear crank shaft seal, gearbox off job for that I'm afraid... :ffs:

The sump leak wil just be the block to sump joint. Theres no gasket for this join on these engines just use gasket sealant paste. Toyota do some pretty good stuff or this or you can just get some from Halfords etc.

First drain oil then remove sump just unbolts clean the joining surfaces and then apply seal paste and refit.

To be honest all of the above should be simple jobs for any garage worth it's salt.

Give TCB or Cheaptoyota parts a bell and they'll be able to sort all the parts for you. Check with TCB but according to the website all the 6th gen celcia engines use the same cambelts. Which they sell for under £20.

As for not have the right tools, you don't need anything special for the job or for that mater for import just a decent socket set and a big Precussion adjuster for when things get annoying.

As for how to deal with import garages. It's exactly the same as any other garage, phone up book car in then pick up when finished and hand over the reddies.

The really is nothing special about import garages they just run by people who aren't full of crap about not being able to get parts etc. It really amazes me the amount of people that throw away business from import owners just because they can't be ubikd.

I know it's a bit of a drive from Kent but I can highly recomment 3S service center Clicky based in Hook just off M3. I beleive their currently moving to a bigger premesis so they can take on more work.

Give James Darby: 07881 942241 a bell he's the boss and a very nice fellow he is too. They can supply parts for you or are also happy to fit parts provided by your good self and a dam sight cheaper on labour than and Toyota Dealers. :D

[Calisto]

Hello and welcome to TOC.

For a start its an import... get used to shelling out cash for her. :P If you have never played with cars, The Celica is a good one to learn with.

Find an Import Garage and stick with them....... let them get to know your car inside and out. B)

And TCB are very friendly and helpful.

Good luck and happy motoring.

[ritch]

thanks for all the help, apreciate it.

yeah i dont think my garage can be bothered to be honest, I did wonder about the fact that a celica is a celica regardless of where it is from, they problably just not used to working with them, pretty small time garage really, just the fact i always used them when i had my crappy astra!

sketchy: yep mines a ST202-BLMGK, so i assume that i need a belt for a 3S FE engine? thanks for the pointers, im getting used to the fact that oil leak may cost me a bit.

I phoned up an import garage near where I live and have booked it to get looked at in about a week or so. They quoted £150 for the cam belt change including parts and labour. I might give that garage you mention a ring as well though, i dont mind travelling for a decent service, the place i phoned earlier put me off a bit, guy had no customer service skills at all! but there you go, as long as they can do the job i guess

thanks for all the advice

[Sketchy]

thanks for all the help, apreciate it.

yeah i dont think my garage can be bothered to be honest, I did wonder about the fact that a celica is a celica regardless of where it is from, they problably just not used to working with them, pretty small time garage really, just the fact i always used them when i had my crappy astra!

sketchy: yep mines a ST202-BLMGK, so i assume that i need a belt for a 3S FE engine? thanks for the pointers, im getting used to the fact that oil leak may cost me a bit.

I phoned up an import garage near where I live and have booked it to get looked at in about a week or so. They quoted £150 for the cam belt change including parts and labour. I might give that garage you mention a ring as well though, i dont mind travelling for a decent service, the place i phoned earlier put me off a bit, guy had no customer service skills at all! but there you go, as long as they can do the job i guess

thanks for all the advice

£150 sounds about right for labour and parts for cambelt, people can often sound odd over the phone best bet would be to speak to them in person, tell them about the problems and see what they think it is and if it matches with the advise given here.

BLMGK is indeed 3S-FE engine toyota part codes for cambelt are

Model year 1993-1997 = Part No: 13568-79095

Model year 1997-1999 = Part No: 13569-79225

As I said I highly recommend James at 3S, they specialise in Toyota's. Original started as an MR2 garage then started taking on work for other models now they will do MR2, Celica, Supra etc. Their always busy but very freindly and knowledgeable.

[San0 Celica]

I know it's a bit of a drive from Kent but I can highly recommend 3S service center Clicky based in Hook just off M3. I beleive their currently moving to a bigger premesis so they can take on more work.

Give James Darby: 07881 942241 a bell he's the boss and a very nice fellow he is too. They can supply parts for you or are also happy to fit parts provided by your good self and a dam sight cheaper on labour than and Toyota Dealers. :D

Hi all, its my first time in these forums, I was wondering if there are any other local import garages around Reading who will service and maintain import Celicas (6th gen) , will certainly call up 3S (Sketchy - u should get commision !)

I was about to book my service with Toyota Slough who will service import celicas, the other Toyota dealer who will do it is in Beaconsfield!!