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YACT: 1994 Toyota Tercel for sale...good buy?

Scarpozzi

Scarpozzi

Lifer
I know someone that's selling a 4 speed Tercel with 185,000 miles on it. The main problem with the car is that it burns about a quart of oil per week. They assured me that it doesn't leak. I haven't actually seen the car, but what would make it burn oil? I'm picturing a leaking valve cover gasket, but what else could be the problem? If it's only a valve cover gasket, I'll fork up $15-20 for a new piece of cork and fix the prob....where else could the leak be coming from. 1qt/week sounds pretty severe to me. The asking price on the car is $450.
 
Could be bad "O" ring around the cylinder.. It's probably worth it to have a mechanic check out the car. Could be worse than you think..
 
That's true.... I was trying to think of other possibilities on the inside of the engine, but have never faced this kind of issue myself. (though I've replaced O rings before through the couple of rebuilds I've done in the past) I guess I should steer away from it and hold out on getting a car. I just wish I had a small commuter/traveller that gets better milage than my Jeep Cherokee....
 
If its a leak ( which the owner says its not) then thats a steal. if the engine actually burns that much oil, then the engine is not long for this world and I would pass on it.

Does the car smoke?
any engine sounds( knocking, etc)?

how many miles per week is it driven? some cars consume a qt in 500 or so miles and last forever.
 
I just worked on another Tercel for this same reason, 1994 model even. It is very common for the piston rings to go bad on these cars. The 3E engine is prone excessive oil consumption and the only way to fix it is to rebuild or replace the engine.

Edit: If you can get it for $450 or less and it runs fine other than the oil issue I would buy it.
 
I owned a 3E engine tercel once.. a 1994 too.. and yes quxfire does tell teh truth..
the piston rings are the bitch.. my friends tercel 1994 has teh same problem. I ended up sezing my engine and throwing a rod thru the block.

1 qt a week is a lot, but for 450 it would be cheap transportation until you can save up some money for something better.

The 3E engine has a lot of issues, with 185 k miles i wouldnt be suprised if its got more to it than the leaking oil..

those injectors can start to misfire around 120K miles, and the valve clatter can drive you nuts.

but for 450 it might be an okay buy, however i wouild only pay 300 for the car.

edit: look for waterpump leaks, misfiring injectors (check plugs) and the oil consumption.. that water pump is a bitch .. i broke mine twice in 2 years.
 
i don't understand what you're saying.

first you said it burns a quart a week.

next you said they claim it doesn't leak oil.

last, you ask how to fix the leak.




your question was already answered, it's burning it.
 
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