Good HZJ mechanic in Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama etc.?!

[Blade]

I am slowly getting tired of my HZJ75, but need to adress some problems soon I guess before heading to south america!

We are heading soon to Belize, then Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and then Panama. I hope to find a good mechanic to help me out on my 1HZ and transmission problems.

Drivetrain got only about 180'000km but is already having big problems.

1996 1HZ loosing oil since a long time at the head gasket rear part. I guess at the camshaft-oil-passage. I guess that's not good and I got a new head gasket and bolts. (asked on another thread about it) This is something that needs to be fixed sometime, but I would like to do it 100% right with a straight edge to check head straightness etc. and if needed machine the head! And to do it with me...

The trans worries me more.. the H55F always was a pain to shift into 2nd gear, sometimes it wouldn't even let me. Now it started tp pop out 2nd gear when driving over a speed bump or offroading. It doesn't always do it, but the longer, the more often! The nylon bushing I already changed, it didn't help! So I guess it's something INSIDE the trans!

The transfer case also worries me... it happened today the 2nd time. I shifted from 4WD to 2WD and I drove 5econds before I heard a loud gear/gear scratching sound as if a shaft broke and I lost power. I pushed the lever back to 4WD, then it worked again, but did the same thing right after a few seconds. I again shifted back to 2WD and then it worked fine. This already happened to me before, not sure if the problem is a the lever or inside the transfer case?! But it makes me worry to get stuck somewhere!

In my opinion I should get this trans and transfer case out and get a guy with knowledge to check it out! I can do a lot and I rebuild over 100 automatic chrysler transmissions but NEVER touched a manual trans, so to be honest, I am really not a specialist!

Anyone knows a guy that he can really recommends me in whole central america?
Of if someone knows a good drivetrain, I might be interested.. this here doesn't has a lot of mileage, but it really seems to be a monday-model as we call it...

thanks!

 

[Tapage]

H55F syncros ..

BF1A t-case .. ?

can't be little tricky make any mechanic recommendation around here ..

 

[circle456]

HZJ75 repairs, Central America

1st: Tapage - Thanks again for the offer to help with the motor mounts, 1985 BJ70, 3B. Got the mounts installed today, perfect fit! Toyota OEM 12361-58031.

Blade:"can be little tricky make any mechanic recommendation around here .."

Tapage is being polite. Also, there is a sense of responsibility for the recommendation. The level of technical expertise in Central America is often quite low, or hit and miss. A guy can do a great job one time, then not so good the next. Must be a cultural thing. The lack of parts or the high cost for OEM parts is frustrating.

That said, I know a decent mechanic in David, Chiriqui Province, Panama. You "should" get the work done right, and parts "should" be available for a 1996 HZJ75.

The best way to do it though, would be to get an apartment for a month. Not joking. It could take a week to get a needed part, but I have also seen next day through the Toyota dealer, Ricardo Perez.

Where are you now ?

Martin, Volcan, Chiriqui Province

 

[Tapage]

Glad to ear that works Martin ..

That's why I try to do all my jobs in my Cruisers .. if I screw it up .. well it's just me and no other one that will try to hide the issue ( being polite here ) ..

I always try to order parts in advance .. and double check I have everything possible " could be wrong " option on hands before stat the job ..

I know a couple of guys here in the capital too .. just maybe to risky to recommend 'em ..

Anyhow if I can help ... I would be more than happy to do it ..

 

[Blade]

Thanks Tapage & circle456!

Trans it's very probably a H55F. Transfer case I have no idea... Here I got a pic when my friend opened it up to change worn gear with a stronger version:

http://www.reisenomaden.de/assets/images/db_images/db_th_Toyo_0283.jpg

I usually do also everything myself! I mean, I put over 400hours into this car before I left and just finished regreasing all the bearings, readjusting the IP etc. I also rebuilt about 100x 727/904 automatic transmissions but NEVER did a manual transmission before and I would try to rebuilt this H55F right away at home, with all my tools and a clean working space. But here in middle of nowhere on some dirty camping and with absolutely no special tools (like pullers etc.) I just don't think it's smart idea.
That's why I wrote, I would like to work myself on it, but would need someone who has some experience with it and also the special tools. It's one thing to break down 100miles from home or break down 10'000miles from home! I just can't risk that with wife and 2 dogs and my home on 4 wheels.

But if any of you would offer to help me with a clean working space and the tools I need then hell yeah, let's try it! But in Panama I only get 1 month of VISA as much as I heard? I am still trying to find out if I can get a longer VISA since my uncle lives there since a long time.

Parts... I can probably get any parts I want from Europe when I am in Costa Rica since I am getting visit from there. I even have a gasket/bearing kit for a H55F at home in Switzerland in my garage! That should't be the problem... but I know what you mean with slow part delivery over here, I already got my experience here in Mexico!

I am in Yucatan, but crossing to Belize in a 2-3 weeks and then going to be in Panama around end of year...

thanks

 

[Tapage]

Well if you are planning to do it in Panamá I can talk with my buddies which have decent place ( maybe not that clean but as clean as you can usually get around here ) where they have decent amount of decent tools ( I mean no china cheap crap ). Another offer could include parts you can't find here and exist in USA I can bring it for ya ..

I have some decent tools too to offer, just not tranny specific tools ..

 

[Blade]

that offer sounds great!

As said, I do have all the regular tools with me, even an IP timing adjusting tool but absolutly no special tools like pullers etc. and I think for the H55F you need a few of those! But I never did any H55F so I really can't say for sure what's needed!

Also, what could be bad on my trans? The gears do shift fine, just 2nd gear was always harder but I heard the H55F is a pain on 2nd gear, so not sure if that's normal. But no idea what holds a gear in position that it doesn't pop out and what parts I would need for that... same for the transfer case...
I would need to know what parts I surely have to order already to rebuild this trans and maybe transfer case... better too many parts than too few. I still can sell the extra parts later that I don't need...

 

[roscoFJ73]

that offer sounds great!

As said, I do have all the regular tools with me, even an IP timing adjusting tool but absolutly no special tools like pullers etc. and I think for the H55F you need a few of those! But I never did any H55F so I really can't say for sure what's needed!

Also, what could be bad on my trans? The gears do shift fine, just 2nd gear was always harder but I heard the H55F is a pain on 2nd gear, so not sure if that's normal. But no idea what holds a gear in position that it doesn't pop out and what parts I would need for that... same for the transfer case...
I would need to know what parts I surely have to order already to rebuild this trans and maybe transfer case... better too many parts than too few. I still can sell the extra parts later that I don't need...

Second gear is always a bit lumpy,you can never hurry it.
I dont use 1st gear ,except when I really have to,that way I avoid having to change into 2nd from 1st.

The gears are held in place by a detent spring and a ball bearing. You can repair them by removing the cover plate on the gearbox .
I dont know if its possible to do this with the transmission installed ,there is not much room.
It could also be something to do with worn shift forks,this would also require the cover plate to be removed.

If you have done auto rebuilds ,I do not think you would have too much problem doing a H55F if you had the pullers ,a workshop and a manual to follow.You have to dismantle the T/case to do the gearbox,so you would need a rebuild kit for both.
You can get good aftermarket kits from australia for about $3-400.The 1st and 2nd gear synchros are fixed to the shaft and I think you have to buy that separately,it s a long time since I have bought one,but I think they are $4-500.

Are you sure the valve cover is not leaking at the rear?They are plastic and go out of shape very easy if they are not torqued evenly.

 

[Blade]

hehe, I NEED 1st gear! I got 3.8tons, I WISH I could start in 2nd gear! I would smoke my clutch pretty quick if I did that...
When it's a LITTLE bit steep I even go down to low gear because I just smoke the clutch in 1st gear...

Yeah, as said, the 2nd gear was always little bit hard to get in, especially when cold. It gets in, but you need more time & force and sometimes you feel the gears rubbing a little bit, but that's usually only when cold. So not sure if the syncros are really worn out!
Only very occasionaly it wouldn't go in, then I retried and then the gears would sound really nasty as I wouldn't use the clutch! I then let the shift go to neutral and retry again, then it works...but this happens only very occasionally, not sure why.

That sounds good if I can fix those ball & detent stuff by only removing the front cover! So I wouldn't need any special tools?

I got all the manuals as PDF! 1HZ and also for the car...


Yeah, I am very sure on the head gasket! I did even degrase complete engine in the USA and observed it with a mirror and you could see very quick that it was leaking out of the rear of the head. I did already adjust the valve shims before I left at home and replaced the valve cover gasket, so it's 99% the head gasket.
HOW this can happen I don't know, this engine doesn't have a lot of mileage! That's why I would like to check straightness if I remove the head, BUT the head problem is something that is not urgent. I am driving since 50'000km like that and it didn't get worst. It's just something that needs to be done when I have a good chance and a good head-shop that KNOWS this head and can check it out for me. Again, special tools needed that I don't have... I only got all the materials (head gasket, head bolts etc.) for it...

 

[roscoFJ73]

Yeah, as said, the 2nd gear was always little bit hard to get in, especially when cold. It gets in, but you need more time & force and sometimes you feel the gears rubbing a little bit, but that's usually only when cold. So not sure if the syncros are really worn out!

Sounds pretty normal to me.If you can feel it but not hear it,then they are like that when new.

Only very occasionaly it wouldn't go in, then I retried and then the gears would sound really nasty as I wouldn't use the clutch! I then let the shift go to neutral and retry again, then it works...but this happens only very occasionally, not sure why.

Maybe you need a new clutch?

That sounds good if I can fix those ball & detent stuff by only removing the front cover! So I wouldn't need any special tools?

Its pretty straight forward,no special tools.When the cover is off you can look down inside and inspect the gears.
But also have a look at the shift forks

Yeah, I am very sure on the head gasket! I did even degrase complete engine in the USA and observed it with a mirror and you could see very quick that it was leaking out of the rear of the head. I did already adjust the valve shims before I left at home and replaced the valve cover gasket, so it's 99% the head gasket.
HOW this can happen I don't know, this engine doesn't have a lot of mileage! That's why I would like to check straightness if I remove the head, BUT the head problem is something that is not urgent. I am driving since 50'000km like that and it didn't get worst. It's just something that needs to be done when I have a good chance and a good head-shop that KNOWS this head and can check it out for me. Again, special tools needed that I don't have... I only got all the materials (head gasket, head bolts etc.) for it...

Cant think of any special tools you need for doing this,the tools you need should be outlined in the manual.1HZ were designed to be fixed in the field.
But obviously,you need someone knowledgeable if the head does need repairs.

 

[Blade]

the clutch is 50'000km old, it's a heavy duty clutch and didn't see lots of use. The clutch is very strong, no slippeage or so. As said, it happens very occasionaly and I think it's the H55F that somehow looses synchronization when you don't shift the 2nd gear to the end and retry again without going back to neutral...

Ok, I will take a look what parts I would need for that H55F top part rebuilt! Good if you don't need any special tools!

On the transfer case though I don't know yet why the gear felt out 2x ...

1HZ: I got all the tools to do this, but no straight edge to check out the head (only at home I got one!) and IF needed a machine shop that KNOWS how to work on this head... I got all the parts, so I am prepared SHOULD it get worse. If I find a good chance I will do it, otherwise at home in Switzerland where I got time and don't rely on a car to live...

I was told that every 5th car in Nicaragua is a J7, so maybe I find there a solution? That's why I asked for a good mechanic in the begining, I thought there have to be plenty...

 

[circle456]

HZJ75 repairs, Central America

Hi Blade, So you are at Belize - I have only heard good reports. Fortunately your repair needs are not dire. The entry visa for Panama is now good for 6 months, but you can only drive for 90 days. They forgot to change that part - go figure.

The last time I did repairs of the sort you are thinking about we just pulled the engine and transmission. Much easier to work that way.

A day to pull the engine/transmission, a day to install (that is two days), now how long to do the work ? Tapage has the right idea - get your parts lined up then start the work.

If it were me I would find a pleasant town and plan to stay for a month. That way you avoid the "hurry up" mistakes and shortcuts.

Since you have no immediate break down issues, I would suggest that you get to the Highlands of Costa Rica / Panama before you set to the repair work. Much more pleasant weather and temperature.

 

[Blade]

Hi guys

Ah, good to hear that about Panama... I wanted to stay longer (if the weather permits) but the 1month VISA wouldn't let me. With 6 that's much less stressful! I also need to organize the shipping to south america!

As said, the transfer I am not sure if it really has a problem! It only happened 2x in 1 year and I am not 100% sure if it was the transfer or the engine loosing suddenly power! It was a very weird & short power loss that only happened for about 0.5seconds, too short to really know where the power loss came. I thought it was the transfer, but now thinking it could also have been the engine...
Today I did a for 4 hours a 4x4 section in Yucatan and the transfer worked just fine in L4, H4, H2...

The H55F I checked today again. It shifts fine. The 2nd as said feels "rubbery and needs more time" when shifting, but otherwise every gear synchronizes well (except Reverse, but that's normal) So I think the trans itself is ok! It's only the 2nd gear HOLDING that has a problem.
I also observed, it will never pop out when it has power on it, that's it when cruising or accelerating. But when I let go the throttle very fast or drive over a speed bump (with no throttle) or today in the 4x4 terrain the 2nd gear likes to pop out just like that...
I also couldn't exactly figure out on the Toyota manual WHAT parts I need to replace & order for that... is it only a ball and a spring or do I really need to remove more of it?
It's kinda annoying, but I can live with it if it's really too much risk and pain to do it here...

The 1HZ engine worries me the least... I just thought if there would be a really good mechanic with good tools (straight edge, machine shop) that would do it with me I would do it here. Otherwise HOPEFULLY at home when I got time and my own tools. At least I got the extra head gasket and head bolts with me now, just in case...