1985 toyota corolla estate bought.Help needed!

iceman1 · 7th February 2010, 00:51

hello to everyone at team-bhp.I have recently bought a 1985 toyota corolla estate and am in need of some advice.Firstly,a little back ground about the car. The car is very original with no modifications or any after after market fitments.It has done genuine 82000kms and has spent a lot of time not being used(hence the low mileage).The chap i bought this car from was very reluctant to sell but luckily for me he somehow agreed.Few of the jobs that need to be done on the car as identified by me are:-

* The suspension needs an overhaul.
* The steering ball joint needs to be replaced.
* Non functional Aircon.This has now been fixed and it was a simple case of wiring the compressor which was disconnected for some reason. Recharged aircon gas and i have a fully functional AC blowing ice cold air.
*complete service which would include oil change, spark plugs replacement, Fuel filter, oil filter and airfilter replacement.This has now been done.
Change all tyres as the production date on them goes back to 1999.Although they look as good as new with 75% tread still remaining.
*Fuel indicator is stuck at the quarter tank mark.The yellow light for low fuel works though.

The part that I need help on :-

1) The vehicle is currently returning a fuel efficiency of 10km per litre on highways and about 8-9 kms per litre in city driving conditions with 100% AC on. Just wanted to know if these figures are normal as i have been told i should expect anywhere between 13-14 on highways .

2) This is the more concerning one.The car is extremely sluggish at high speeds.Anything above 70km/hr is asking for too much and i find it really hard to cross 90 km/hr.The engine noise goes up as if its complaining but settles down if I reduce speed and maintain speed of 70km/hr. The top speed on the speedometer is 180km/hr so I am a bit concerned.Although i dont intend to touch the 180km/hr mark but it would be nice to cruise at 90 -100 which is currently not possible.

Kindly advice what the problem could be. Need all your help and support to bring this car back to its glory days. Also any inputs on anything i have overlooked would be great.Will be uploading the pictures soon.

Many Thanks.

iceman1 · 9th March 2010, 22:08

Still waiting for some help on this one. Have been away for a while therefore couldnt upload pictures earlier.Let me know what you think.Any advice would be highly appreciated.

procircuit_234 · 9th March 2010, 23:28

very original condition.but maintaining her wont be easy..but not impossible.wish you all the best!

SirAlec · 10th March 2010, 00:34

these came with atleast 5 engines with one of the being diesel.

So which one is yours. ANd how much it has run? genuinely determining the true oddo reading is too hard on a car that old.

The car is 25 years old, you can't expect more from it.

iceman1 · 10th March 2010, 10:54

Procircuit234: she is indeed in very orginal nick and will try my best to keep it that way.
SirAlec: This one is 1.3litre petrol.The Car has spent almost 10yrs not being used at all hence the 82000kms ( now 84000) just may turn out to be genuine.But as you said, you can never be too sure.

Some updates.The fuel indicator that wasnt working has now been fixed.Have planned the front suspension overhaul over the next 2 days.

7th February 2010, 00:51	#1
iceman1 BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: vashi Posts: 82 Thanked: 139 Times	1985 toyota corolla estate bought.Help needed! hello to everyone at team-bhp.I have recently bought a 1985 toyota corolla estate and am in need of some advice.Firstly,a little back ground about the car. The car is very original with no modifications or any after after market fitments.It has done genuine 82000kms and has spent a lot of time not being used(hence the low mileage).The chap i bought this car from was very reluctant to sell but luckily for me he somehow agreed.Few of the jobs that need to be done on the car as identified by me are:- * The suspension needs an overhaul. * The steering ball joint needs to be replaced. * Non functional Aircon.This has now been fixed and it was a simple case of wiring the compressor which was disconnected for some reason. Recharged aircon gas and i have a fully functional AC blowing ice cold air. complete service which would include oil change, spark plugs replacement, Fuel filter, oil filter and airfilter replacement.This has now been done. Change all tyres as the production date on them goes back to 1999.Although they look as good as new with 75% tread still remaining. Fuel indicator is stuck at the quarter tank mark.The yellow light for low fuel works though. The part that I need help on :- 1) The vehicle is currently returning a fuel efficiency of 10km per litre on highways and about 8-9 kms per litre in city driving conditions with 100% AC on. Just wanted to know if these figures are normal as i have been told i should expect anywhere between 13-14 on highways . 2) This is the more concerning one.The car is extremely sluggish at high speeds.Anything above 70km/hr is asking for too much and i find it really hard to cross 90 km/hr.The engine noise goes up as if its complaining but settles down if I reduce speed and maintain speed of 70km/hr. The top speed on the speedometer is 180km/hr so I am a bit concerned.Although i dont intend to touch the 180km/hr mark but it would be nice to cruise at 90 -100 which is currently not possible. Kindly advice what the problem could be. Need all your help and support to bring this car back to its glory days. Also any inputs on anything i have overlooked would be great.Will be uploading the pictures soon. Many Thanks.
	() Thanks

9th March 2010, 22:08	#2
iceman1 BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: vashi Posts: 82 Thanked: 139 Times	Still waiting for some help on this one. Have been away for a while therefore couldnt upload pictures earlier.Let me know what you think.Any advice would be highly appreciated. Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

9th March 2010, 23:28	#3
procircuit_234 BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: mumbai Posts: 223 Thanked: 16 Times	very original condition.but maintaining her wont be easy..but not impossible.wish you all the best!
	() Thanks

10th March 2010, 00:34	#4
SirAlec Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: zxc Posts: 3,393 Thanked: 727 Times	these came with atleast 5 engines with one of the being diesel. So which one is yours. ANd how much it has run? genuinely determining the true oddo reading is too hard on a car that old. The car is 25 years old, you can't expect more from it.
	() Thanks

10th March 2010, 10:54	#5
iceman1 BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: vashi Posts: 82 Thanked: 139 Times	Procircuit234: she is indeed in very orginal nick and will try my best to keep it that way. SirAlec: This one is 1.3litre petrol.The Car has spent almost 10yrs not being used at all hence the 82000kms ( now 84000) just may turn out to be genuine.But as you said, you can never be too sure. Some updates.The fuel indicator that wasnt working has now been fixed.Have planned the front suspension overhaul over the next 2 days.
	() Thanks