Gen 7 Oil Confusion

[GarethT]

Good Evening TOC,

I've been a long time non registered lurker but today decided to register (and most likely will become a paid up member in time). I currently drive an 04 Yaris which I am thinking of selling because I want something more....celica shaped.

So I'm looking at Gen 7's; high mileage early ones to be specific. Honest John tells me there are oil consumption issues and looking back through the threads there's been a lot of posts about the oil consumption of pre 2003 Gen 7's. So I'm looking at ones which are likely to be affected by this issue. I have a few questions which I couldnt figure out from the other posts, any help would be really really helpful!

Is the oil consumption a problem or a "feature"? The Yaris doesn't use any oil, I always thought high oil consumption was a bad sign, but I'm no expert. Will a celica with oil "alcoholism" be ok if I keep it topped up and properly serviced? or is it a means to an end?

What's the deal with the 7 year warranty that crops up now and again, are there any specific terms to be met in order to qualify? My Toyota Dealer is very cagey about it and is reluctant to confirm or deny the existence of this warranty (anyone'd think he was covering up a government scam or something).

Other than driving the car for 1000 miles to see whether the dipstick level has dropped, is there any other way (specific VINS/ engine codes?) of telling that this is a model affected by the oil drinking issue.

Sorry to bombard with questions, especially on my first post but the info is dotted about everywhere on the forums and I couldnt find anything relating to these specific questions, if we get good answers it'd be good to note this thread in the top sticky for buying advice.

Thank you all for reading! and also thanks to TOC for allowing non registered members to read the forums, getting rare nowadays!

Cheers

Gareth :D

[Scarlett Arrow]

Hi Gareth

The problem with high consumption on the 140 is on one batch of Engines circa 2001. AFAIK, the problem is caused by the Pistons going more oval than they should. If you don't mind going for a high mileage example, I strongly recommend you look for a face lift model which was introduced in the Autumn of 2002. On the face lift, not only has the Engine Block been redesigned to alleviate this problem, the front Discs are also larger (even if they are made of Cheese), the Interior is much nicer/darker and rear Lights updated.

You ought to be able to find an early face lift with a few miles on the clock for around £6K, believe me you won't regret it, they are brilliant Cars that always bring a smile to your face (especially around corners) :)

HTH

[DefiantFrog]

Or if your budget only allows for a pre-facelift, find one with a full toyota service history. I too have heard of Toyota 7 year warrenty on the block, but I think the main requirement is a full service history (probably from Toyota), and you are looking at a very late pre-facelift for that warrenty to still be valid. Speak to Toyota directly rather than a trader to get proper info.

I think the Oil usage is a problem, not a feature, but Toyota operating normals suggest that 1 litre per 1000 miles of oil usage is ok. I have kept mine regularly topped up, and had it serviced at its proper intervals. I'm on 80,000 miles now, and I currently get through around 2.5 litres per 10,000 miles, which I don't think is too bad compared to some I've heard of! I think if you get someone tell you that their pre-facelift doesn't drink any oil is probably lying to you...

Don't think theres anything with a specific range of cars. If its Pre 2002, its probably affected in some way.

Hope that answers everything you wanted to know! Anything else, drop us a line!

Oh, and welcome along chap! :) Enjoy your stay...

[GarethT]

This is brilliant Gents, really useful stuff!

So am I right in thinking only the 140 is affected? Because apart from the fuel and tax, they're about the same to buy/insure. I think my budget might just stretch to a facelift model and if its going to be a lot easier (and by the sounds of it a better car) then the extra few hundred quid will be well spent.

I havent even driven one yet, but that may change rather quickly with this news - at least now I know what I'm looking for.

Many thanks for your help chaps, if anyone else has any buying advice whatsoever then please feel free to add it, I'm putting a lot of hard earned into buying this car and I'd love to know of anything else to look out for.

Cheers!

G

[nkundalia]

Or if your budget only allows for a pre-facelift, find one with a full toyota service history. I too have heard of Toyota 7 year warrenty on the block, but I think the main requirement is a full service history (probably from Toyota), and you are looking at a very late pre-facelift for that warrenty to still be valid. Speak to Toyota directly rather than a trader to get proper info.

I think the Oil usage is a problem, not a feature, but Toyota operating normals suggest that 1 litre per 1000 miles of oil usage is ok. I have kept mine regularly topped up, and had it serviced at its proper intervals. I'm on 80,000 miles now, and I currently get through around 2.5 litres per 10,000 miles, which I don't think is too bad compared to some I've heard of! I think if you get someone tell you that their pre-facelift doesn't drink any oil is probably lying to you...

Don't think theres anything with a specific range of cars. If its Pre 2002, its probably affected in some way.

Hope that answers everything you wanted to know! Anything else, drop us a line!

Oh, and welcome along chap! :) Enjoy your stay...

Hi,

I have a pre-facelift Gen7 140 and so far I've not had any problems with the oil (touchwood, hopefully i'm not jixing it) - I do check the oil semi-regularly and is alway's ok - so is it actually all pre-facelift models affected or just a certain batch? Mine has only done around 55k miles

If I should be expecting to happen to me, is there anything I can do to either prevent this or prolong this from happening?

Thanks

[GarethT]

so just so I'm absolutely sure:

A prefacelift is what you have as your avatar (with the little hole for the Toyota Badge) and a facelift has a massive gaping slit in the front ala this picture:

http://www.carpw.com/pictures/toyota/Celic...tion_2005_1.jpg

so if its got the slit I'm ok?

(waiting for innuendo's on that one)

Thanks for the help guys, making me much happier buying one - everyone says they're a joy to drive which is exactly what I'm looking for.

G

[whitey_205]

i'd go for a facelift one m8.(pretty sure its the one you think it is) read my post from today bout the engine rebuild if you need further convincing ;)

[Parts-King]

so if its got the slit I'm ok?

Go on, you know you wanna :D: :D: :D:

Kingo

[DefiantFrog]

so just so I'm absolutely sure:

A prefacelift is what you have as your avatar (with the little hole for the Toyota Badge) and a facelift has a massive gaping slit in the front ala this picture:

http://www.carpw.com/pictures/toyota/Celic...tion_2005_1.jpg

so if its got the slit I'm ok?

(waiting for innuendo's on that one)

Thanks for the help guys, making me much happier buying one - everyone says they're a joy to drive which is exactly what I'm looking for.

G

Yep, thats about right. Also look for different rear light clusters (pre-facelift have square-ish lights in the cluster, facelift has rounded lights), and bigger front discs. The interior is a darker colour, and they changed the Decent-ish Sony stereo for a rubbish Toyota branded one. Obviously all this stuff is changable, so best to check the date of registration on the log book if you're in any doubt.

[DefiantFrog]

Hi,

I have a pre-facelift Gen7 140 and so far I've not had any problems with the oil (touchwood, hopefully i'm not jixing it) - I do check the oil semi-regularly and is alway's ok - so is it actually all pre-facelift models affected or just a certain batch? Mine has only done around 55k miles

If I should be expecting to happen to me, is there anything I can do to either prevent this or prolong this from happening?

Thanks

Mine started noticably using oil around 60k. Start checking regularly...

[nkundalia]

Hi,

I have a pre-facelift Gen7 140 and so far I've not had any problems with the oil (touchwood, hopefully i'm not jixing it) - I do check the oil semi-regularly and is alway's ok - so is it actually all pre-facelift models affected or just a certain batch? Mine has only done around 55k miles

If I should be expecting to happen to me, is there anything I can do to either prevent this or prolong this from happening?

Thanks

Mine started noticably using oil around 60k. Start checking regularly...

Thanks, just had my 70K service (allthough it only has 55K) with toyota, will start keeping a closer eye on it from now on - is there anything I could try to possibly prevent it from happening?

Thnks again

[DefiantFrog]

only thing that immediately springs to mind that stays within a reaonsbale cost is don't start your engine...!!

[Vince W]

Just chucking my tuppence worth in, my 2000 T-Sport (Import) 55,000 miles, seems to be OK, not noticably using any oil...................................yet!

[nkundalia]

only thing that immediately springs to mind that stays within a reaonsbale cost is don't start your engine...!!

Thanks?!