st185 Celica, common faults?

[Prymal]

malcolm made the point here

most examples that have issues have been poorly maintained - and we the new owners inherit the problems ..

being a performance car - naturally everythngs going to be more expensive than a bog stock corolla for example , because they are not common as flys on shite

Most now will be well over the 150 thousand KM mark , except for the odd japanese late model one , so most major servicing and faiulrtes will begin to raiser their head

If you put the cash nto bringing it back up to spec , the drivetrains are pretty much unbreakable unless your a maniac and treat it poorly

Ive ohnly known of one gearbox failure from my many aussie mates with Gt4's , but most of us will have encounteded syncro wear

Most 185 owners i know have also had to replace their heaqdgaskets , same again - high KM's - running higher than factory boost , not upgrading key components to cvover it etc
Every 1865 owner i know has had power steering leaks , and try to change the Air to air cooler as soon as feasable .. Frontmounts are pretty easy to make for them - if you have a little bit of skill

make them strong , maintain them like they are supposed to be maintained , ands respect their limitations , and your gt4 will last well beyond the next 10 years , when WRX's and evo's by then will be falling apart , already dead , or stripped of any usable goodies

[Norty]

I personally havent had many common faults in mine, synchros is a big one. Check the oil, and start WHEN COLD, and see if you can hear a loud rattle/knock, big ends are so common.

Rattle/knock on startup ? could that also be from using an incorrect oil filter with no internal valve

maybe i need to replace my big end then

*crys*

[Boosted_162]

With my first one, it had been run out of oil, so when started cold you could hear a loud knocking, cos the bearings were gone, but if you started it then turned off you couldnt hear it until it had been sitting for hours. Thats why its good to see the car completely cold because being warm can hide faults like that.

[asweetdude]

Ok, after reading all this, yall got me worried.

Seeing as a bought my 1990 GT4 (Nz new GT4WD) just before last xmas, knowing it needs a cambelt within the next 10 thou, and the brakes need pads and a skim. (Paid under $3k for it)

Aside from that, the cam cover gasket is leaking, and i need to replace some bushes on the rear hubs.

No other signs of problems.


Would it be worth selling? as just thinking of the nightmare stories your all talking about.

Its bog standard too and has done 8000kms in the last 6 years.


So im now faced with a few options....

Spend the money on it, $800 say.

or sell it?


Ideas pls?

[Leon]

Do you have the income to fix stuff if it breaks? If you do, and love the car, then keep it. If you're going to end up in debt, and unhappy, if it chucks the toys, then ditch it and get something a little tamer.

[asweetdude]

Its the daily driver, and yea its nice, but then again, my fully worked 5k kp60 is nice too. just not as practical as a dalily driver, its too loose on wet days and doesnt like sitting below 3000rpm.

Think i will possibly hold on to it. if it gets me to the end of the year, then its all good.

[DeeCee]

as of note - i have had no major problems with my GT4A under normal driving conditions for the last two years.

Only thing that has come up is a small oil leak and the changing of oil, pads, front rotors and tyres. Apart from that its been pretty much smooth sailing and a worry free car.