Tune Up

[IHateHacks]

O2 sensor- every 60K miles.


Sorry I just saw that you said- "The car has 133,000 miles. I'd like to get another 133,000"

Well guess what? You are not going to get another 133,000 out of that car unless you A. Adjust the valve clearances (which any NON-professional can do, I'm proof of that) B. Replace timing belt it WILL break its not if its when, like 80 mph on the freeway (hint hint) and C. Do all the flushes like coolant, transmission, differential, power steering.

I know thats what "professionals" do (professional scam artists that are in it just for the MONEY they can care less about the vehicle) but this is your OWN vehicle. I really emphasize the coolant flush and doing it on a regular basis like every year. Screw what the maintainance schedule says. The more you replace it the better. I can see why you wouldn't be as anal as me with your inferior non-turbo (I wouldn't care that much about a non turbo, aka not worth the effort, time or money, either) but I like knowing my car is road-worthy.

[mrnickleye]

quote from scruffboy: Is there anything else I should think about once I start getting to work on her? The car has 133,000 miles.

Note to Ihatehacks: sorry about my confusion, I missed that question, and focused only on the term "tune-up".


quote (by me): A "tune-up" is Ignition parts and settings, and fuel filter and adjustments. Not all that other stuff (hoses, thermostat, flushes etc).

Although, it is a great thing to do those things on a regular basis.
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So.....on the valve adjust...where did you get the shims needed. How did you do it, check them all, then buy only the ones you needed from the dealer??
Any SST used? (special service tool). Do you think a 'beginner' can do a valve adjust by himself at home with general hand tools???

Yep...60k t-belt changes are a must.

And for various reasons, (like switching 180* to 195* to 180* thermostats 2x a year), I always end up changing the coolant every year, although I recommend to customers to change it every 2 years.

AND another thing (as I see this every day at work)...budget it vital. Most people aren't prepared to spend a wad of $$$ on their car in one day. They have to spread out the repairs over a month or 2 or 3.

After reading this (and a couple of others) supra forums for 3 years, I conclude that the average owner is very $$$ budgeting conscience. And with good reason. These cars are 15-20 yrs old. Lots of maintenance and repairs are needed on most to get them into good, dependable condition.

Good maintenance is a must. That's why a posted a large sign at the customer counter that reads
"It's cheaper to maintain your vehicle than to repair it, ask me how".

And I posted a picture of an engine diagram with the timing belt, so people can see it, and understand that it is a required maintanance item. But, by the time you add in the belt, tensioner, water pump, bearings, coolant flush, and labor...they are looking at $400-$700, depending on the engine.

That's why, as a Supra owner, its very cost effective to do as much work on it as you can. Try to have a more experienced friend with you when you are starting out.