Saturday, September 13, 2014 - 06:45 pm, by: Justin Prewett(Buzzbox)
Hi all, after enjoying my 94TT for a good number of years it decided to become impaled by a kangaroo..
So... after much days of deep depression and thought on how i would ever replace this magnificent beast (didn't have full comp insurance).. i found the answer..
Another user asked me to look at a 97 VVTi and lucky for me ended up buying a V8 (which in itself is a wonderful vehicle), i decided to take the leap and buy this new black shiny beast..
It comes with its own troubles which i am working on fixing (coolant and oil leaks). I've replaced the heater tap where the coolant was leaking from and will do the cam seals and timing cover seals this week (pending parts arrive).
i haven't given it a good clean yet.. will do that in the coming days when i have more spare time from work.. so far replaced the heater tap, cleaned the MAF sensor, put in some brand new fog lights, swapped my wheels (well 3 of them, broke the lock nut tool in the 4th wheel) and removed the seats in preparation for my full electric black seats to go in..
I'm sure i will enjoy the 97, it already feels a lot more smoother and responsive down low than the 94TT..
Sunday, September 14, 2014 - 07:24 pm, by: Justin Prewett(Buzzbox)
Yes, its a 1JZ.. James where is the best place to get the cam seals and timing cover (half moon) seals ?
What else should i look at doing whilst i'm changing these seals ?
Plans - not sure, i'd just like to drive it around stock for now and then see how i go.. get it looking and running the best i can.. I had the performance mods on the TT.. couldn't really use them as i was to paranoid about getting caught.
So far i've put my electric seats in, drivers side works, still to wire up the passenger side. it looks better already.
Sunday, September 14, 2014 - 10:40 pm, by: James Buchan(Jrbuch)
I did the front main and rear seal, as well as the cam seals. I got them from Toyota, the part numbers are on amayama. Mistakenly, the folks at Toyota ordered the non vvti ones, and I had a message on the dash in Japanese when the wrong seals were installed. They fitted fine, but were a little too thin, and so the leak continued until this was rectified.
Regarding performance mods, maybe get one of Kurts dump pipes and just have that installed with the rest of your exhaust system. It brought on boost a ton quicker, and the fuel consumption improved. Was the best bang for buck mod I did without going overboard. Nor was it an easy mod to spot, and it didn't increase the volume of the exhaust.
Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 07:52 pm, by: Justin Prewett(Buzzbox)
I'll have to look into that, sounds interesting..
So far i've fixed the coolant leak issue by replacing the heater tap however this one also leaks but only when the heater is on !! so annoying.. doesn't seem to be loosing coolant at the moment, will need to keep an eye on it..
Next is the oil leak issues, i'm hoping it's just cam seals and valve cover seals.. have ordered them, will check it all out when i have the parts.. for now it seems to be mainly leaking from the rear top of the engine and from the front, behind the timing cover..
If i can fix it all with the new seals i'd be pretty happy, put my old electric seats in, wired them up and they work a treat, installed an LED interior light to brighten it up.. gave it a good wash and no major marks on the body..
Monday, September 22, 2014 - 09:50 am, by: James Buchan(Jrbuch)
Re the heater tap - is this where you have to remove the dash to get at it?
Regarding your oil leak issues, when my cam seals went it was the rear top of the engine, and from the front, so replace these and see how you go. It may be a common problem when these cars get to this sage?
Regarding the exhaust, I would do the dump pipe mod first, it made more difference than a cat-back exhaust funnily enough. The turbo spool was much crisper, and much more responsive. Does the car have a boost gauge? Once you've sorted out the oil leaks, maybe look into that.
Then you'll be all sorted. Really is a very nice looking car Justin :-)
Monday, September 22, 2014 - 11:41 am, by: Justin Prewett(Buzzbox)
James - the heater tap is the valve that directs the hot water into the car, sometimes called the idle up valve, in the engine bay up the back.. seems to be a common spot for leaks, had 3 leak so far.
i've ordered cam seals (2x) and valve or timing cover seals, the half moon ones. hopefully replacing those will fix the oil leak issues and then i'll be a happy person..
i had a boost gauge in the TT, never connected it up and just sold it. i still have the boost controller so maybe i'll put that in instead.
it will look even better once i have all my wheels on it (broke the breaker bar trying to get one wheel off and snapped the lock nut key in the wheel nut).. and give it a good cut and polish and wax.
Wednesday, October 15, 2014 - 08:07 pm, by: Justin Prewett(Buzzbox)
Finally seemed to have the oil leak fixed.. replaced cam seals, vvti cam gear pulley o-ring, broken rocker cover, rocker seals, front crank seal.. seems to be better now and no leaks..
Gave it a good wash and put the wheels of the other soarer and electric seats in.. getting there, need to put the soarer scuff plates in and the gold badges on.
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