mr2-digest Thursday, March 12 1998 Volume 02 : Number 422 MR2 Test to bounce Re: MR2 Frozen parkingbrake on a '93?? Re: MR2 MKII Turbo: HELP - Really need to change timing belt? RE: MR2 Kent Washington Horton Performance MR2 Symbols RE: MR2 upside down? MR2 brake jobs Re: MR2 Re: Ferodo Brakes Re: MR2 Toyota Decals Re: MR2 "what's this 'thingy'..." MK1 Re: MR2 MkII Cruise control Q Re: MR2 MK2 engine problem Re: MR2 insurance during storage? Re: MR2 Symbols Re: MR2 MK2 engine problem ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 12 Mar 1998 17:07:59 -0600 From: "Andrew P. Tasi" Subject: MR2 Test to bounce Testing only. Do not respond to this message. - -Andrew ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 12 Mar 1998 17:50:15 -0500 From: "Romdos" Subject: Re: MR2 Frozen parkingbrake on a '93?? Well the weather here in Central PA has gotten colder this week and this morning for the second time this happened to me. Funny thing is it happened after driving about 10 miles. The car is garaged so I don't think about it in the morning. I got my hand arounfd behind the wheel and wiggled the e brake lever there and all returned to normal. I left it off the rest of the day. What is a ballpark figure to get this replaced??? Jack Hawk 88 White NA 1NA000016 >The fix is to replace the cables, which I had done on my '87. Just >never saw any MKII owners complaing about this. > >mark sink > > > >DRothrock1 wrote: >> >> Welcome to the world of owning an MKII. The FAQ list talks about it, but I >> have yet to fond a solution better than this one.... >> >> Two 4X4 pieces of wood behind the tires..and leave the break off when it is >> cold! >> >> Let me know if you hear anything better! Sorry :( That is my fix!! >> >> Dave Rothrock >> 93 Super Red > ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 12 Mar 1998 17:15:50 -0600 From: "Chris King" Subject: Re: MR2 MKII Turbo: HELP - Really need to change timing belt? Well, I do the faq and I specifically changed this from before. Prior, the faq stated simply that there was debate as to whether or not the mr2 was a interference/non-interference engine and Mike simply put something to the effect of "Use your own judgement on this one, however, I will be doing mine as soon as I hit 60k miles." I since changed it and here is what I can tell you. The mr2 is non-interference. That means that even if the belt breaks, it won't damage the engine. Granted, you won't be able to drive the car but there won't be any damage to the engine. So, as many have stated before, I don't think you are taking that big of a risk if you wait until 70k to do it. I don't plan on touching mine until then. At worst, the thing breaks, you have to get the car towed and pay for the price of a new timing belt. As to the "ideal" mileage to do the timing belt, well, this like anything will depend on numerous factors. I have heard of people finally getting it done at 110k miles with no probs and although I haven't heard any horror stories, I am sure there are some out there. As for the dealer, I can imagine them hounding you too when it costs something in the neighborhood of $600+ to do. Chris K. >I'm sorry to ask this yet again, but I searched mr2.com (the faq seems >unclear on the issue), and tried to sort through the digest archives...I >know this has come up before. > >Do you really need to do the 60K timing belt change? It seems to cost a >fortune/take forever...has anyone gotten engine damage from a broken one? > >I have 65K miles, and the dealer is hounding me about it... > >Oh - I have some mods: K&N cone filter, HKS dual exhaust, Superchips Fuel >chip, HKS EVC IV Boost Controller (set at 1.05 bar on high setting). > >Thanks much, > >Chris >93 MR2 Turbo, Super White, 65K mi. > ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 12 Mar 1998 15:24:23 -0800 From: "BryanW" Subject: RE: MR2 Kent Washington Horton Performance I know the shop you are talking about, my Cousin knows Mr. Horton very well. I have been to the shop several times on my visits to Seattle. The shop was sold about 4 years ago and I know most of the staff was the same, Paul in particular was very knowledgeable. I haven't heard anything about them in awhile so I am sad to hear they closed. If they did reopen it would be worth while to find them because they really knew their stuff. On, my last visit there about 3.5 years ago they were turbocharging a customized brand new(at the time)Jeep Wrangler, 4.0 liter. I got to go for a ride and let me tell you, OH MY GOD, that thing hauled. The original owner, Jim has/had a 88supra with about 600 hp to the wheels, motec etc. That thing was way cool. Bryan "Fred Dimalanta" wrote on Thursday March 12, 1998 at 1:49pm: >In Kent, Washington, there used to be a small specialty auto store called "Horton Performance." They specialized in high performance upgrades, with emphasis on Toyotas. They closed up shop about a year or two ago. > >Does anyone know if the business ever reopened elsewhere? new name? The owner (or assumed wife of) drove a silver '87? MK1 with aftermarket SC added. Are the owners IMOC readers? > >Just curious. > > > >Fred Dimalanta '86 na >Renton, Wa .... ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 12 Mar 1998 15:31:51 -0800 From: Mike Dodd Subject: MR2 Symbols This is a multi-part message in MIME format. - --------------7FC7D791152D6652AC5FBEC7 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit The cop pulled the guy over because he thought it was a stolen car/stolen tags, he pulled him over because the CHP computer said he had a Nissan and the tags were on a "BMW". The cop issued him a ticket and cited some vehicle code saying that you may not alter the marquee of your car. If alter also refers to removing them then that is illegal, this may just be a california law. The cops Mira Mesa (San Diego) pull over racers for every little thing every Saturday night from 11pm-4am. Here are some of the things I have been ticketed for: No front plate Car lowered (head lights must be certain number of inches from ground) After market exhaust (may not be modified to be louder) Sticker on front window graduation tassle hanging from rear view tinted front windows cover on back license plate clear corner turn signals (must have a yellow bulb) K&N filter (150 smog ticket!) one for my blue fog lights (emergency vehicles only) then one for my yellow fog lights because I thought my blues were bad (they cannot be a certain wattage (35watts in CA) because they are too bright to on coming traffic, I argued that Lexsus GS300's come stock with bright yellow fog light that were the same brightness as my PIAAs, didn't work) In other words, you must drive a stock car in California! Complete bullshit, most of my tickets were fix its and the first cop made me rip off my first fog lights right in front of him (I had to break the mounting bracket making them useless) or else he said he would give me a ticket. Oh, also don't tell the cops that you refuse to pop your hood when they tell you too, or else you face obstruction and/or resisting. Apparently they have probable cause if you are watching drag races or sitting in a parking lot with other racers (yes I know this sounds unconstitutional) guilt by association, the parking lot even had a 24 Ralphs food store which I said I was shopping at, did not work. Basically the cops in San Diego are dicks to anyone with a modified car, it won't stop me from ever putting my car to stock! You know what though? Its been worth every penny to join the 300 plus cars every saturday night to check out the other modded MR2s, Honda, Acuras, and there are usually 3 or 4 NSXs, RX7s, SS Camaros, Supras, and crotch rockets once in awhile even a Viper will come! Its been going on for the last 5 years and makes the news all the time. You're only young once may as well enjoy it! John Peacock wrote: > > I have never heard of such a thing either, I think it is only if you > re-badge it that it is illegal. Why would you do that though?? > > John > -----Original Message----- > From: Olli Astley > To: Mike Dodd ; Post to MR2 Mailing List > > Date: Thursday, March 12, 1998 5:48 AM > Subject: Re: MR2 Symbols > > >Surely only if you re-badge the car to a different make, not if you just > >remove the badge? > > > >Olli. > > > >-----Original Message----- > >From: Mike Dodd > >To: Post to MR2 Mailing List > >Date: 12 March 1998 11:32 > >Subject: MR2 Symbols > > > > > >>It is illegal to remove these symbols, I know a guy that made his old > >>Nissan econobox into an old BMW 325 and he got pulled over and ticketed. > >> > >>Ron Paukovits wrote: > >>> > >>> AVERY DINAUER wrote: > >>> > >>> > Now I just have to remove the Toyota symbols, and it > >>> > will look really clean. I'm not ashamed of it being a Toyota, > >>> > I just like smooth lines/looks. I removed all the symbols > >>> > from my Previa too. Does anyone know if the symbols have > >>> > holes behind them? > >>> > avery- > >>> > >>> Sure do. Two holes on each that a pin goes through, held from the back > >>> by those "grippy washer thingies" > >>> > >>> Ron > >>> 87MR2 > >>> 86MR2 partspile > >>> ICQ: 3087083 > >> > >> > > > > - --------------7FC7D791152D6652AC5FBEC7 Content-Type: text/x-vcard; charset=us-ascii; name="vcard.vcf" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Description: Card for Mike Dodd Content-Disposition: attachment; filename="vcard.vcf" begin: vcard fn: Mike Dodd n: Dodd;Mike email;internet: michael.dodd@resnet.ucsb.edu note: University of California Santa Barbara -- C.S. College of Engineering x-mozilla-cpt: ;0 x-mozilla-html: TRUE version: 2.1 end: vcard - --------------7FC7D791152D6652AC5FBEC7-- ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 12 Mar 1998 18:36:18 -0800 From: "Joe Shutte" Subject: RE: MR2 upside down? >lane!!! awards will probably be given....and yes, Ive already got >claims to the "most time spent upside down" award!!!....well, >check out Does this mean inside a 2? Or just upside down 8-}? It is upside down in a 2 trust me I have the parts car to prove it and pictures that I will bring to the Chicago meet to show it. Joe Shutte rns@one.net ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 12 Mar 1998 15:38:24 -0800 From: Todd Katz Subject: MR2 brake jobs I have a '91 MR2 non-turbo which I drive about a mix of city and highway driving. I certainly use my brakes, but don't think I ride them or slam on them hard, etc. Anyway, the Toyota dealerships (I've used two) have found it necessary to give me complete rear brake jobs at about 50k, 75k, and 105k miles. This has included new rotors and pads. The latest bill is about $450. In the 80k miles I've driven the car it has never needed front brake work. Two questions: normal, the dealers say so; any way to cut down on the cost like asking them to just change the pads at 20k miles? Thanks in advance for any advice or feedback. - -tk ======> Todd Katz todd@informix.com Publications Director, TETC Tools Informix Software, Inc. voice: (650) 926-6001 4100 Bohannon Blvd. fax:   (650) 926-1045 Menlo Park, CA  94025  ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 12 Mar 1998 17:44:46 -0600 From: "Steve Hoult" Subject: Re: MR2 Re: Ferodo Brakes >Try Pegasus Auto Racing Supplies (1-800-688-6946). All their Ferodo pads are on >close-out sale. > >I found out this week that they DO NOT have any pads left to fit MkIIs (don't >know about MkI) I may have to try out a set of these for my SC. I love my set up (PF front, Mean green rear) right now except that the Mean greens SQUEAL!!! like crazy. They also STOP like crazy. >Anyone know of any other Ferodo dealers? Are they still in business? Don't know of any dealers, but Ferodo has two factories here in the Nashville, TN cranking brake parts. (Meguars wax is also located here) Steve Hoult '89 SC IMOC# 1SC000001 ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 12 Mar 1998 18:18:41 -0500 From: "The Ark" Subject: Re: MR2 Toyota Decals I know a guy who had a F-rd Fiesta a while back....He got some testarossa emblems and did a little modifictaion to them to create the fiestarossa....Pretty slick I d have to say... - ---------- > From: Imran Ismail > To: MR2 Digest > Subject: MR2 Toyota Decals > Date: Thursday, March 12, 1998 5:03 PM > > <<"It is illegal to remove these symbols, I know a guy that made his old > > Nissan econobox into an old BMW 325 and he got pulled over and > ticketed." > > There is no way there can be a law against removing the Toyota > Emblems from you MR2. > >> > It is not illegal to remove the symbols from you automobile. It > however may > be illegal to add symbold from other cars...for instance BMW without > their > written consent. > > Shucks, just when I was about to buy Ferrari emblems :) > > Hey, had a pretty funny dream about a yellow MKII which had all these > little gizmos on it (thanks to 007 marathon), gave me an idea and I need > input from your craetive minds : Check it out at: > http://www.flinet.com/~ismail/bond.htm > > Imran T. Ismail > http://www.flinet.com/~ismail > ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 12 Mar 1998 19:46:15 -0500 From: bagdon@rust.net (S and K Bagdon) Subject: Re: MR2 "what's this 'thingy'..." MK1 >Betty wrote >''what's this 'thingy....'85 na..." > >It sounds like the factory alarm mercury switch, Black rubber coated, >about 25mm long and 8mm diameter. The '85 OEM alarm brain is mounted >under the driver >seat next to the subwoofer. Also, there is a small switch on the lower >left below the radio/pocket. >If your car does not have the factory alarm, the hood was likely replaced >by a previous >owner/dealer. Did you buy it used? if so ,did they tell you of any >accidents? This is the first *ever* I've heard anyone mention a factory alarm for the Mk I. Have I missed something? Steve B. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 12 Mar 1998 19:46:23 -0500 From: bagdon@rust.net (S and K Bagdon) Subject: Re: MR2 MkII Cruise control Q >Hi folks, > >Just a quick question that's had me wondering for a while. I've noticed >that when I disengage the cruise control on my '93T while driving (ie set >the cruise control, & then cancel it by tapping the brakes), I hear a >really loud *click* from the right side of the engine compartment. It's >quite audible... even above road noise & the stereo at >70MPH. > >I'm just trying to find out if this is normal or not. No other car I've >driven with cruise has done that, but then again, none of them have been >MR2's. :-) That's where the cruise control actuator is (far right/rear of the engine compartment), so there's probably some rubber bushing that's missing. When you disengage the cruise, the actuator probably snaps back into some position, and there's some bushing missing to quiet that action. Steve B. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 12 Mar 1998 19:46:39 -0500 From: bagdon@rust.net (S and K Bagdon) Subject: Re: MR2 MK2 engine problem >Y'know, I don't know if the '93 manuals are different or something, but in >my owner's manual (the little thing titled "1993 Owner's Manual", which is >what I assume you're referring to) I can't find any documentation on the >error codes, or how to retrieve them. For that matter, it doesn't explain >how to flush the coolant, either (although there are instructions on how to >check it, and top it off). It does, however, explain how to change the >light bulbs. :-) > >Do I have a different manual than what you're talking about, or am I just >missing something? Dude, that garage floor is *freezing* (Detroit), I should have put some socks on... :) I didn't spend much time leafing through the '91T manual, but I found the trouble-codes (and how to get them), and how to replace all of the light bulbs, in chapter 7 ('Do It Yourself Maintenance'). As well as oil changes, spark plugs, distributor cap (I believe), etc. I didn't spend the much time to look for the coolant flush section, but I'd swear it's in the '85 manual (other car, but that's in the driveway, and I'm *not* going out there now). Think they dropped that stuff from the '93 manual? Steve B. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 12 Mar 1998 19:46:58 -0500 From: bagdon@rust.net (S and K Bagdon) Subject: Re: MR2 insurance during storage? >Does anyone on the list keep their MR2 insured when they store it for the >winter? I'm just wondering. I have stored my car during the past 3 winter >with the insurance activated for theft and fire only. Nothing has ever >happened to it (partially b/c its in a family members garage), so I'm >considering taking the insurance off for next season. > >What do you folks think? IMO, leave it on. My '91T costs about $80/6-months to insure from USAA (but it's on storage only during the worst of the winter), the car is stored in the garage attached to my house. I figured the only thing that could happen was a house fire, or a tree fell on the garage roof and took out the car. USAA specifically stated that cars in garages are *not* covered by house insurance (fire, flood, acts of nature), and the car had to have it's own insurance policy (which makes sense, as we have other 'riders' for unusually high valued items in our house). For $80 for the winter, it's worth it. I'd sure hate to have my house burn down (for many other reasons!), then find out that the car isn't covered. Steve B. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 12 Mar 1998 19:47:31 -0500 From: bagdon@rust.net (S and K Bagdon) Subject: Re: MR2 Symbols >Here are some of the things I have been ticketed for: >No front plate >Car lowered (head lights must be certain number of inches from ground) >After market exhaust (may not be modified to be louder) >Sticker on front window >graduation tassle hanging from rear view >tinted front windows >cover on back license plate >clear corner turn signals (must have a yellow bulb) >K&N filter (150 smog ticket!) >one for my blue fog lights (emergency vehicles only) >then one for my yellow fog lights because I thought my blues were bad >(they cannot be a certain wattage (35watts in CA) because they are too >bright to on coming traffic, I argued that Lexsus GS300's come stock >with bright yellow fog light that were the same brightness as my PIAAs, >didn't work) > >In other words, you must drive a stock car in California! Complete >bullshit, most of my tickets were fix its and the first cop made me rip >off my first fog lights right in front of him (I had to break the >mounting bracket making them useless) or else he said he would give me a >ticket. I hate to play devil's advocate here, but it sounds like we're comparing right/wrong with legal/illegal. I'll agree, some of those were silly (graduation tassel, sticker on front window), and some are questionable (doesn't the K&N have a CARB exemption?), but the rest - hey, (s)he's an officer of the court, and you're not. I guess you sort of have to live with the laws of your state/county/city/etc... :( Steve B. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 12 Mar 1998 16:54:22 -0800 From: Dirk Sieber Subject: Re: MR2 MK2 engine problem At 07:46 PM 3/12/98 -0500, you wrote: >Dude, that garage floor is *freezing* (Detroit), I should have put some >socks on... :) Brrr... yep, you got that right! >I didn't spend much time leafing through the '91T manual, but I found the >trouble-codes (and how to get them), and how to replace all of the light >bulbs, in chapter 7 ('Do It Yourself Maintenance'). As well as oil changes, >spark plugs, distributor cap (I believe), etc. I didn't spend the much time >to look for the coolant flush section, but I'd swear it's in the '85 manual >(other car, but that's in the driveway, and I'm *not* going out there now). > >Think they dropped that stuff from the '93 manual? Well, this is what I have in chapter 7 (which is also the "Do it yourself maintenance" in my '93 manual: - -Checking the engine oil level - -Changing the engine oil & filter - -Checking the engine coolant level - -Checking & replacing the air cleaner element - -Replacing spark plugs - -Checking clutch pedal freeplay - -Checking brake & clutch fluid - -Checking brake pedal freeplay - -Checking brake pedal clearance - -Checking parking brake adjustment - -Checking the brake booster - -Chacking power steering fluid - -Checking steering wheel freeplay - -Chaking automatic transmission fluid - -Checking tire pressure - -Checking & replacing tires - -Rotating tires - -Installing snow tires & chains - -Replacing wheels - -Aluminum wheel precautions No distributor cap, no engine codes, no coolant flush... sounds like they trimmed a fair number of things out of the manual. :-( I'd be interested in knowing what's in the other model year's manuals. Anyone want to contribute the list from their year? Dirk - -- dsieber@express.ca Owner, Wildstar Consulting Ph: (604)-522-9014 E-mail/call for rates/questions/advice ------------------------------ End of mr2-digest V2 #422