Buying Yaris - Cam Belt? + What To Look Out For?

[grayfray]

Hello, I am looking at getting a Yaris as soon as I can find one that ticks all the boxes prob a 2000 or 2001 1.3.

Does the yaris have a cambelt or timing chain that should have been changed? and is there any common faults to look out for?

Thanks.

[moonstone mart]

Hello, I am looking at getting a Yaris as soon as I can find one that ticks all the boxes prob a 2000 or 2001 1.3.

Does the yaris have a cambelt or timing chain that should have been changed? and is there any common faults to look out for?

Thanks.

Hi Grayfray,

The 1.3 are chain driven. The chains are only changed if they are worn and noisy. Never changed one myself in 3-4 years.

Yaris are a good car, as long as it has been serviced regularly and looked after it should be fine.

Some points though - If hasnt had regular oil changes the VVT valves/controller can become clogged and bring up a warning light or noisy running

- Front anit roll bar bushes do crack/perish but dont need changing until they are very worn of start knocking.

- Headgasket joint can 'mist' oil on the front of engine but not always a problem unless its leaking heavily.

- Timing chain cover oil leaks.

- Air box/pipe rattle or vibration.

- Sump/timing chain cover oil leak.

- Noisy aux belt (if dry/pooorly adjusted)

- Squeak from clutch pedal (clutch master cylinder/release bearing arm)

- Water pump leaks/noisy bearings.

These are the most common probs we get in at work. Non of the above would stop me from buying a Yaris though. Obviously if its pouring oil out then walk away.

Then just your usual check over a car - make sure everything works, try and check life (thickness) in brakes and without judder when applying them, service history, bodywork damage, ill fitting panels etc etc.

Mart. :D

[crazyman50000]

My 1.3 clutch pedal squeaks - should I be worried?!

[grayfray]

Hello, I am looking at getting a Yaris as soon as I can find one that ticks all the boxes prob a 2000 or 2001 1.3.

Does the yaris have a cambelt or timing chain that should have been changed? and is there any common faults to look out for?

Thanks.

Hi Grayfray,

The 1.3 are chain driven. The chains are only changed if they are worn and noisy. Never changed one myself in 3-4 years.

Yaris are a good car, as long as it has been serviced regularly and looked after it should be fine.

Some points though - If hasnt had regular oil changes the VVT valves/controller can become clogged and bring up a warning light or noisy running

- Front anit roll bar bushes do crack/perish but dont need changing until they are very worn of start knocking.

- Headgasket joint can 'mist' oil on the front of engine but not always a problem unless its leaking heavily.

- Timing chain cover oil leaks.

- Air box/pipe rattle or vibration.

- Sump/timing chain cover oil leak.

- Noisy aux belt (if dry/pooorly adjusted)

- Squeak from clutch pedal (clutch master cylinder/release bearing arm)

- Water pump leaks/noisy bearings.

These are the most common probs we get in at work. Non of the above would stop me from buying a Yaris though. Obviously if its pouring oil out then walk away.

Then just your usual check over a car - make sure everything works, try and check life (thickness) in brakes and without judder when applying them, service history, bodywork damage, ill fitting panels etc etc.

Mart. :D

Thanks Mart, everything I asked answered.

[moonstone mart]

My 1.3 clutch pedal squeaks - should I be worried?!

No shouldnt be anything to panic about, all depends how much it annoys you really ;) . Is the squeak from inside or ourside the cabin? If its inside it will be the clutch master cylinder/clutch pedal pivot. If outside it will be the release bearing arm or pivot ball. You may be able to grease the master cylinder plunger to cure that but the release bearing arm is a bit more tricky. Its easier if you remove the clutch slave cylinder, bar the pivot arm off the ball inside the gearbox and using a paint brush - brush copper grease over the ball. Then refit all parts should have sorted the squeak. :D

Mart.