Toyota Problems

FIRSTLY, you have a gem. The 4A-GE engine is regarded as a classic and much sought-after to fit in Mini Clubmans. There are no major problems to be concerned about with the engine. Secondly, the engine is a free-spinning design, the piston tops are relieved to provide clearance to the valve train so there shouldn't be a problem if you break a cam belt. That said, anything is possible if you break a belt at high engine speed, when you might stretch a valve stem enough to make contact. High-mileage cars can have a problem with fifth gear, but don't panic, it's not something to be too concerned about.

IT'S HARD to diagnose the sort of problem you report without actually driving the car. Whining noises can be caused by many different factors. The best thing to do is to take your car to a Toyota dealer for proper diagnosis.

I ASSUME you have a sentimental attachment to your car, because the best advice is to update to a later model, perhaps a smaller car which will have power steering and be much more manageable than the old Crown. To add power steering to your Crown will cost $1000-$1500. If you want to do it, call early Toyota specialist CCC Auto Salvage on 9543 1433.

I WOULD buy something else rather than gamble on a Cougar. It was yet another car imported by Ford to fill a hole while it was in an even deeper one with the Falcon. It was a good looker, and I'm guessing that is what got you hooked. It had reasonable performance, though my rating of it at the time was that it was a little too soft. Ford stocks parts and will do for a few years, but will eventually stop stocking them. I would look to something such as a Toyota Celica.

THE dealer may have found the gaskets were leaking but the leak wasn't serious enough to warrant fixing immediately. If the leak is nothing more than a slight weep, it might not have been enough for the RACV mechanic to pick up. Because the car is running perfectly I wouldn't be too concerned, but I would make a mental note and keep a careful watch on the temperature gauge. If it indicates the engine is running hot, get the car to your mechanic and have it checked again.

TO get ABS, a driver's airbag and remote central locking on the 1999/2001 Camry four, you will need to move up the model range and look at a CS-X. You'll pay $15,000-$20,000 and for that you'll get a safe, reliable and well-built car. The JS and JSII Vectras were similarly equipped with driver's airbag, ABS and central locking, and will be slightly less expensive at $16,000 to $18,000. The Vectra is basically sound and has a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 104kW. The Camry is a similarly sized four with 94kW -- power and price advantage to the Holden.

WHEN you start your engine, the transmission is in the overdrive mode -- it will shift through all gears, including the overdrive fifth gear. If you press the overdrive button, you will notice the warning light on the dash is illuminated telling you that the overdrive is off. In this case the transmission will not engage fifth gear. If you press the button above 80km/h the transmission will shift down to fourth. The overdrive should be engaged for normal driving to get better fuel consumption, but you can disengage it when you want more passing performance, or to slow the car when you are approaching a town.

I HAVEN'T had any experience with the additives, so I can't recommend them, but they wouldn't do any harm. The cause of the smoke is likely to be worn valve stem seals, which allow the oil to run down the valve stems and into the cylinders while the car is sitting overnight. The puff of smoke is the oil being burned when you start up. Try the additives, but think about getting the valve stem seals replaced as a long-term solution.

YOUR Starlet should run on regular unleaded without pinging, so I'd suspect crook fuel. Try different outlets using different brands, making sure you buy from a high-volume outlet so you're not buying old fuel.

THE car should not roll backwards if the torque converter is working properly, though the ZR engine does need a lot of revs. Take it back to the dealer and get them to check the operation of the automatic, but also try holding the car on the brake -- perhaps with your left foot when you are stopped -- so it has more pulling power when you accelerate on a hill.