Crazy Cat Lady
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Posts posted by Crazy Cat Lady
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1 hour ago, Tomb said:
Eventually got around to fitting Black Betty’s old intake manifold after degreasing it, to replace the dented one I had; gave the rad another bleed; cleaned the throttle body; and cleaned my IACV.
Tomb, do you need to update your Gen 7 Model profile? ....from VVT-i
> L <
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Today:
Hoovered the inside of the car.
Washed the outside of the car
And changed the cabin filter!
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I enjoy the best of both worlds
Summer wheel/tyre set: Gen 7 Red edition12 spoke Fondmetals with F1 Goodyear 215 / 45 R17
Winter wheel/tyre set: Gen7 5 spoke with Michelin Cross Climate 205 / 55 R16
The summer set has better grin factor handling fun,
The winter set has more comfort, protection from pot-holes, and can drive on snow.
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That spotless Red Edition picture on the link is still 'on the road' with Tax & MOT passed last August with 75k on the clock
I wonder who the owner is now (?)
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Oil & Filter change - check around under engine, no problems to report.
Quick basic check of all light bulbs, horn, washer jets.
MOT - Passed!
Advisories - None
It was a bit nerve racking watching the MOT tester systematically going about his business. He must of spent a full fat 30 minutes poking about looking for something of issue. I though it had failed when he called another guy over to look at something underside [with steering or front shocks?] ...but after finishing he said it all passed fine.
Asking about the exhaust system; still with the original and now looking very peachy, but he said it still functions fine, cat works well within emissions , no exhaust leakage anywhere - said not to worry about it.
Apparently they give a fairly high failure rate for MOTs at this garage, and they are known for being very thorough, but on the other hand are becoming a more than a little specialised with older cars, and classic cars, and they seem to be very fair and knowledgeable.
They also have a paddock of various old cars parked up [or dumped] nearby, took 5 minutes out to look around, should have taken my camera; couple of Triumph Torledo's, an Alfa Romeo Spider, Ford Cortina Ghia Mk IV, Austin 1100, a particularly nice old Humber Sceptre, and other stuff can't remember, like stepping back in time walking around that paddock
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It was a very rainy day today, i am pleased the new Bosch wipers work very well
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Over twenty years ago, i purchased a brand new Kenwood radio/cassette player professionally fitted to my [then] pride and joy VW Polo.
The Kenwood stereo sounded fab, but after just a few months my musical driving fun was suddenly interrupted by a RTA which sadly wrote-off the Polo
Just before the VW got trailered off to the scrap yard, the nearly new Kenwood HU was removed and put into safe household storage where is stayed for over two decades...
until today when we swopped out the OEM radio/CD player for the Kenwood [with the help of a single din adaptor kit]
The Kenwood radio sounds noticeable better, a bit more power & a smoother sonic quality.
The tape player has a nice warmth which sounds easy on the ear, and delightfully analogue.
A nice result, will need to go dust off my tape cassette collection now, some of them are almost 40 years old!
Debs
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I can recommend a Japanese car friendly garage in Shrewsbury (?)
Unit 7,
Hartley Business Centre,
Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY2 5STlee.a.dent@hotmail.com
07922 752020
*not sure if the above number still works but the email is correct
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Good luck with next years calendar!
...will there be any cats in it?
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Spent 5 minutes fitting brand new Bosch AeroTwin wiper blades all round. Easy job!
My old rear wiper was completely useless, just left a opaque smear. The new Aerotwin makes a perfect clean sweep
The new Aerotwin seem to work well on the front too, under testing screen-wash conditions.
I do prefer the traditional look of the original hinged type wiper blade holders, but have lost patience with the poor performance rubbers and would much rather see where i'm going when it's raining
Debs
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Thanks to CelicaDan94 for the recommendation
Bosch Aerotwin
Arrived in this mornings post, and very easily fitted a few minutes later, seem to work really well with a screen wash...
i bet it won't rain for weeks now!
Debs
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1 hour ago, CelicaDan94 said:
I got these in the summer and havnt let me down so far. looks quite good compared to standard straight ones to
They do look good, they won the Auto Express wiper blade 2018 group test
https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/accessories-tyres/36172/best-wiper-blades-2018-group-test
Has anyone tried the Michelin Stealth wiper blades?
A few years ago i bought a boxful of Stadium wiper rubber replacements, and have replaced the rubbers a couple of times, but have found they don't last well, seem to split at the ends, probably heat/sun damage, also very noisy wipe and streaky.
Scotty Kilmer recommends silicone wiper blades - and he has a lot to say about them
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Over the past couple of years i've noticed one of my front screen washer jets squirting off aim, projecting most of it's squirt too high up the screen so most would go on the roof
The thing is with these trivial problems, it's very easy to forget about them - until the next time you're out driving along the road again, and when washing the screen, say to one self, "i need to fix that when i get home", like you've said a hundred times before.
And then when you get home, it's one of those jobs of not much importance in the big scheme of things so very easy to forget all about...
until the next drive out onto the open road and one is reminded yet again about the naughty jet washer when pulling the screen wash lever and ...well you can see where this is going [ two years later ] Today between the showers and feeling bored indoors and wanting to get out for some fresh air, i found a pin, went out to the Celica and corrected the aim of that there washer jet. Jone done
Next job is replacing all the wiper blades, anyone got good recommendations?, and any makes to avoid?
Debs
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8 hours ago, G.Lewarne said:
Is that... a touch of "blueing" I see there on Deb's rear disc?
She must drive it hard
That's probably slight surface rust - i simply don't drive it often enough
10 hours ago, Cleario said:I just put continental contact 5’s back on my original wheels, I went for 205/55/16 at £38 a tyre it worked out over £150 cheaper than 205/50. I’m surprised at the comfort that’s come with them.
It's a good tyre/wheel size choice for winter, more protection from pot holes, more comfort, more ground clearance
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23 minutes ago, G6-20 said:
chunky gaps in the tread looks good for the snowYes, they score well in reviews driving on snow, i've been though a couple of winters with them but only cold and wet around here so far.
I find proper winter tyres too extreme for typical winter weather, we seem to get very cold & wet but many days turn milder going over 10º which is not really cold enough for winter tyres. The Cross Climate tyres are also quieter and better MPG than proper winters, plus they can even be used in summer if need be, so very versatile.
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40 minutes ago, G6-20 said:
what tyres are those, crazy lady
Michelin Cross Climate - They grip really well in cold and wet, less sporty but more comfy with the higher profile on 16s.
I only use them in the winter months, on a cheap set of wheels - helps to preserve my 12 spoke fondmetals
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My pre-winter check kicks-off sometime in October with the ritual of summer wheels coming off for a clean up and carefully put away into storage, and winter wheels wax polished / tyres checked and to go back on the car. While the wheels are off, the brakes are cleaned, slider-pins cleaned and re-lubed with silicone brake grease. The suspension is checked over and tenderly wiped around with an oily rag. This fits in well with the MOT due in November which shortly follows the annual oil/filter change with a pre MOT check over.
Yesterday, using a small screwdriver i 'de-stoned' the winter wheel tyre treads, a therapeutic activity fit for the rubber fetish, and it's strange how many little stones and specially sharpened council flints get stuck in the tyre treads, i don't think they really pose a problem if left but i like the way they flick out with a little struggle and the tyres look better for it. However i did find a nasty little nail stuck in one tyre; measuring 16mm it took some pulling out.
Checked this tyre today and it's still inflated so i'm assuming it's okay to sign a relief
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27 minutes ago, dublet said:
. So you can use a PTFE based lubricant like this special version of WD40.
Would that be good to use on bicycle chains?
BTW sorry for going
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Kev, that's LL type oil, dunno if it's good to go in a Gen 7 (?)
Toyota recommend A5 type
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5 hours ago, ams said:
Next time measure it with a measuring jug before filling rather than using whats left in the can .
Also is your car jacked up at the front when your filling it up and draining it?
It would get the last bit out if its jacked at the front when draining it as the sump plug is on the back side (rather than under) so would get the last bit at the bottom out.
If its jacked when filling then a bit extra might be going in.Its usually just over the 4litre mark on facelift 140s.
3.7litres seems a little low - perhaps a dented sump or a prefacelift dipstick
My car is up on a lift-ramp and oil/filter change done with care and consideration by professionally friendly neighbourhood mechanic, and with me in attendance.
Last oil/filter change we used 4 x 1L bottles of Castrol Magnatec
I'm thinking it's possible the actual 1L bottle amount maybe a bit more than1 litre... perhaps around 1.1 litre (?)
and if so then the true amount of refill would be around the 4L
Although not conclusive, if true this would explain this oil volume discrepancy,
and like you say a measuring jug is needed to accurately account for exactly how much goes in, will use one next time.
Dipstick:
mine is yellow OEM of December 2004, vehicle has record of 10 oil/filter changes over it's first decade at local Toyota dealer under earlier ownership.
I think the dipstick recalls refer to earlier 140s?
Sump:
looks like it has a very slight ding on one corner but nothing of concern.
i can see the point about having the front of car raised slightly when draining oil,
but this may not be possible with car up on a lift-ramp (?)
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Amit, why does the amount of engine oil refill needed differ so much on 140s?
Gavin and i both have a 2004 Gen7 140,
we both use a good make of filter;
but Gavin's 140 needs 4.5L, and mine only 3.7L.
I'm thinking the answer maybe differing versions [capacities] of oil sump pans... (?) but i dunno.
Debs
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5 hours ago, slybunda said:
What pisses me off about castrol is they do oil in 4L bottles which is useless for our cars. Shell and others do 5L which is preferable for the majority of cars out there.
My 140 Gen7 takes 3.7 litre at each oil & filter change, so the 4L bottle is just perfect as is
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205/55 R16 are seriously cool for winter use, especially the Michelin Cross Climate.
They're actually a summer tyre but designed to cope with cold conditions including snow.
Road noise is acceptably quiet, the drive comfy, cope well with pot holes, and they love cold wet roads.
Although they can drive on hot summer roads too i wouldn't want them on all year around,
by far prefer my Goodyear F1s 215/45 R17s for summer fun
Debs
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35 minutes ago, slybunda said:
Where get from?
I need new front shocks and the rubbers for them too.
My shock absorbers are okay, purchased vis eBay seller: clickcarparts
The replacement boots, bump stops, etc from Import Car Parts (but not their shock absorbers)
https://www.importcarparts.co.uk/parts?cat=89&sub=1353&sec=1555&var=38&dc=y
What came in the Post Today?
in General Celica Discussion
Posted · Edited by Crazy Cat Lady
My recently installed 20 year old Kenwood Radio/cassette player has alas malfunctioned; tape player is kaput
I never did get it to play right, pitch instability was too noticeable, cleaning the pinch rollers and head didn't do the job hoped for, and after trying to ween the thing back to life the tape player suddenly croaked completely. It was a sad moment
However, all is not lost, today a brand spanking new [albeit discontinued] replacement head unit arrived here from caraudiodirect uk!
I have decided to go back to CDs again, have lots of new CD music to plug in and play can't hardly wait
The Alpine CDE W296BT benefits from an FM tuner, lots of colour panel options, and no fewer than 9 parametric bands of frequency control - should hep tune it in to the acoustic abilities of the Alpine speakers already fitted in and waiting, and the CD player should be no slouch either