1984 Toyota Camry / Vista with 1.8l turbo diesel 1C

[Mike NXP]

@Dougal
The noise insulation and mileage claim I based from the toyota original release linked earlier on in this thread. Obviously im not going to achieve like new miles per gallon but I also dont really care, my land cruiser gets 12mpg so 30+ from the Camry will be awesome

Seller is an honest older gentleman with dozens and dozens of unique vehicles and has no reason to BS me on his latest mileage claim . Also said it cruises at 60-70 with ease and is super quiet so hopefully that remains true

Your also comparing different engines and platforms for outside of ths US market

This Camry was made for US roads and toyota had something to prove. Their cars were a joke in the 70s to most. The models they introduced to us in the 80s really changed the auto industry

Ill find out for myself soon enough lol its going to be a fun car to drive no matter how you look at it.

1. Superior Fuel Economy
   Along with power, the new models are notable for their excellent fuel economy. Over a set course at 60km/hr, they achieved 31.0km/L (Ministry of Transport notification values) with a five-speed manual transmission.
2. Whisper-Quiet Ride
   Various measures have been taken to reduce vibration and noise, both inside and outside the car. Chief among these are
   1. Noise insulation on the inside engine compartment walls to isolate engine noise, and
   2. Two submufflers to reduce exhaust noise.

 

[Mike NXP]

I think you're being waaay too pessimistic here.

My half-time daily is a 1988 4x2 LN85 Hilux.. This has the 2.4litre "2L" Diesel Engine.. NO turbo, indirect injected.. its just fine performance wise, entirely adequate, I keep up with traffic and can sit on 110kph/68 mph quite comfortably if needed. The very large hill on my commute home I can (just) crest at 100kph which is the speed limit - provided I get a bit of a run up at the base.. I love driving this thing around town.

The OPs intended purchase does have a smaller engine, but with a little bit of boost I think the performance will likely be much like my larger NA engine.

Keen to hear back from the OP of his experience after purchase!

View attachment 3735132

Awesome looking engine bay , such a wild looking air box . Man Im really getting more interested in these older toyota vehicle platforms of this era

Yeah Im going to have a blast in this thing . I noticed the Camry has a super funky two post steering wheel. Also the 5 lug rim with that cool spoke design is awesome

With the current state of the auto industry and how poorly everything is being produced, this old Camry is a total piece of art / automotive history in my eyes . I could go park it and never drive it again and just be happy staring at it


Few more days and hopefully a picture of the car on a tow truck isn't my next post

 

[Dougal]

Everything gets phenomenal fuel economy at a constant 60km/h (40mph). But no-one ever drives like that. Very few people actually calculate MPG. They just guesstimate. The numbers get more wild when they're drinking or selling.

We got a whole slew of used JDM diesel cars like this in NZ in the 90's. Corolla/Crown/Corona/Mk2/Cressida/Carina etc. They're all closely related but the 2 litre diesel is far more common than the 1.8. I know a guy who cut two of them up to make Lexus V8 powered race-cars. But left the diesel badges on.

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[Mike NXP]

Oh , yeah.....She bangs .

More info coming soon

 

[duncanrm]

Hahah gold, I am excited to hear more!

 

[Mike NXP]

Hahah gold, I am excited to hear more!

Oh for sure
More details to follow once im back in front of my computer

Quick questions for diesel folks . Seller claims oil was changed just a few hundred miles ago and had paperwork

However it appears be jet black when checking dipstick.....normal or change asap ? Hoping to avoid a roadside oil change before a big drive but I've never seem black oil on dipstick

** Edit . I just ordered a manual on eBay but im curious what folks think this engine takes for oil . Seller gave me a receipt that shows 10w30 diesel oil.

Ill post all my findings once I get the manual in

 

[duncanrm]

However it appears be jet black when checking dipstick....

Very normal for indirect injected diesels... all my 2Hs, and my 2L show black oil on the dipstick after a short drive following an oil change.

A slightly useful test is to wipe the dip stick on your finger tips and immediately try to wipe your fingers clean with a rag.. the harder it is to clean your fingers with a rag the more soot the oil is carrying. This take a bit of experience to assess though.

 

[Mike NXP]

Very normal for indirect injected diesels... all my 2Hs, and my 2L show black oil on the dipstick after a short drive following an oil change.

A slightly useful test is to wipe the dip stick on your finger tips and immediately try to wipe your fingers clean with a rag.. the harder it is to clean your fingers with a rag the more soot the oil is carrying. This take a bit of experience to assess though.

Fascinating .

Ok awesome im going to try that and monitor over time to get used to it

 

[Mike NXP]

Is it normal to blow some white smoke under load? I thought it would have been darker smoke and I always associated white smoke with coolant burning ...hmmmmm.

Coolant reservoir is full and will.check radiator after cool down.... But its got green coolant in it, thought toyota wants pink ...hmmm again

Otherwise shes done 4+ hours at 60-70 so far without any major concerns


She definitely needs an alignment
.....and my AC pulley or belt is squealing like a banshee but worst case that belt is only driving the AC so no big deal.

 

[duncanrm]

Is it normal to blow some white smoke under load? I thought it would have been darker smoke and I always associated white smoke with coolant burning ...hmmmmm.

If you're not losing oil or coolant then it can only be unburnt diesel - normally white smoke would indicate a great deal of unburnt fuel. Poor pump adjustment, or if it just a touch of smoke injector spray patterns may be poor - time for rebuilds which arent expensive.

Coolant reservoir level is largely meaningless unless its dumping coolant out the overflow. A radiator level check is essential. Keen to hear on oil consumption over 1000klms or more.. the dipstick level may be impacted by vehicle parking though so dont panic at the first check if its down a touch.

 

[Mike NXP]

If you're not losing oil or coolant then it can only be unburnt diesel - normally white smoke would indicate a great deal of unburnt fuel. Poor pump adjustment, or if it just a touch of smoke injector spray patterns may be poor - time for rebuilds which arent expensive.

Coolant reservoir level is largely meaningless unless its dumping coolant out the overflow. A radiator level check is essential. Keen to hear on oil consumption over 1000klms or more.. the dipstick level may be impacted by vehicle parking though so dont panic at the first check if its down a touch.

Good information. Thanks.

She just made the 10+ hour journey home. More details to follow

Smoke - In a strange turn of events the smoke eventually turned black . I suspect this is the most giddy up this vehicle has seen in a whole . Previous seller just farted around town . Id like to think all is good for now

Coolant - Will definitely check radiator after overnight cool down

Oil - I topped it off before I left and it hasnt moved at all. 500+ miles at 65

Im looking forward to getting my owners manual to see what oil viscosity is recommend. Its currently running on 10w30 Diesel spec oil


Im going to get some pictures together and will post more details later. This is one fun vehicle to drive that's for sure

 

[duncanrm]

Oil - I topped it off before I left and it hasnt moved at all. 500+ miles at 65

Superb.. this bodes well!

 

[Mike NXP]

Superb.. this bodes well!

I did notice it smoked a bit when I opened the oil filler cap and I wasnt too pleased about that . Might do a fresh oil change soon and maybe run something a little thicker than 10w30.

Or maybe not ...lot to think about and learn in regards to this motor for now. Looking forward to posting more info .

 

[duncanrm]

I did notice it smoked a bit when I opened the oil filler cap and I wasnt too pleased about that . Might do a fresh oil change soon and maybe run something a little thicker than 10w30.

Or maybe not ...lot to think about and learn in regards to this motor for now. Looking forward to posting more info .

A bit of blowby out the cap is to be expected. I wouldn't try and reduce it by mucking about with the oil specification. Any mineral 15W40 Diesel API CI-4 is my goto. Grab a vid of what's coming out the cap if you get a chance.

 

[Mike NXP]

A bit of blowby out the cap is to be expected. I wouldn't try and reduce it by mucking about with the oil specification. Any mineral 15W40 Diesel API CI-4 is my goto. Grab a vid of what's coming out the cap if you get a chance.

Ok will do next time it's hot and I check it. This recent experience was with the vehicle off and it was just a bit of smoke . I see my old petrol Corolla do it alot and always assumed it wasn't ideal but doesn't seem to be a concern at this point

 

[Mike NXP]

Trip Report / Vehicle Details

• Long story short, I'd say it was a success. The vehicle drove from 4AM to 3PM. It can keep up in most all situations until you get up to the 70-80mph roads and then most other vehicles are way faster . It likes to hang out at 55-65mph
• At the higher speeds I was getting 38-42mpg but my best was the last fill up where I was driving slower and chugged along in fifth and got 47mpg
• The dash doesn't have a tachometer but by ear I'd say it was pushing over 2500RPMS to keep it at 70 and honestly it felt like a bit much. It clearly did it, for hours and hours, but it chugged a bit more fuel and I bet it's happier at lower RPMs
• I could keep it in fifth gear and go from like 40mph - 70mph and the turbo light was barley turning on .

Mechanical

• About 20 miles into the trip I hear a really loud belt squeal. Heard it with windows closed over motor. So I pull over and squirt some water on there and determine the AC belt is the culprit. There is no idler on this belt and it's the only thing being driven so no big deal. I happened to have a can of silicone lube ( Don't judge me I know this is sorta stupid ) and I douched the belt with a few squirts. The noise went away and never returned. Will eventually repair / replace belt / adjust tension
• It's pretty quiet inside, a few rattles at idle sometimes from engine vibration
• I've got a mean pull to the right and a steering wheel that is off by like 15 degrees
• AC works. Heat works. Everything works except the cruise control. We found a federal recall on the part, but can't find the part
• As noted earlier I was blowing white smoke under a load for the first few hours . Which eventually cleared up and went to black . Sorta weird but not going to overthink it. Will monitor coolant and oil levels
• Rear shocks are a bit bouncy
• Radiator and hoses are looking pretty old. The cap is like sorta smashed in the middle so going to swap it out
• When inspecting the accessory belts I also noticed maybe a crack in timing belt cover, or possibly an access hole plug coming out sort of. Riding pretty close to accessory belts so not ideal . Looks like a knuckle busting task

Vehicle Background

• Purchased in Montana back in 84. I let him keep the original title. Two owners
• Seller claims original owner rebuilt engine completely at 190k. along with interior and a bunch of other things. Piecing together the timeline it sounds like that happened about 6-7 years ago at 190k miles. No paperwork or really any way to see if this is true. I see the oil pan has some non OEM goo on there so someone's been in at some point , maybe ? The again the drain pan bolts r super crusty so they appear to have not moved in quite some time
• Fast forward a few years and the seller bought from original owner with only 194k miles. He owned it for a few years and just drove it around Billings mostly

OK let's get to some pictures

Here is the Toyota 1C-TLC
T-turbo
L - transverse motor
C- Has catalyst for US market

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This steering wheel is funky, I like it. Flat bottom and big old hoop to grab on to
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Well, I didn't get the LED clock, but I do believe this is way cooler. It still holds perfect time AND it has a little second hand that ticks around in the center. I discovered that around hour 8 of my drive and was for some reason fascinated by it
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Quick pit stop
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[Mike NXP]

Interior is looking good. Back seat head rest is faded / torn. I like the darker brown accents

 

[Mike NXP]

** held for when I get the owners manual + do some maintenance



Suggested oil viscosity -
Coolant recommendation -
Power steering - check to see if ATF or PS fluid
Fuel filter change interval + find part number -
What fluid to use in transmission - I was told it calls for ATF not gear oil
Oil filter part number -yzzd2
Air filter part number -1780164040

Is clutch reservoir fluid a thing ? I don't think it has a hydraulic clutch but will check


Curb weight - 2480 lbs
Unibody
Tires - 185/70-13"
Wheels - 5x100
Front disc , rear drum brakes
Motor - 1.8L claimed 73HP@ 4500 rpms
Torque - 104 ft-lbs @3000 rpms

 

[Eurasiaoverland]

Interesting that the C stands for a catalytic converter - not common on diesels of that age. I'm guessing, but I would think your white smoke might have been from burning off fuel residue on the catalyst which has been sitting there from the car having been used for short stop-start journeys and maybe never taken for a good long run to get the catalyst hot.

Hopefully the steering issue can be fixed with proper alignment.

Thanks for keeping us updated!

 

[Mike NXP]

Right ? I didn't think so either but maybe that's how they made it to the US . The car is so low to the ground I can't see much under there. Vehicle brochure claims there's two mufflers....Parts blowout doesn't seem to show a cat ? Who knows