Hi folks,

Got an old TR exec 4 cyl auto I'm mucking about with. Blows quite a bit of smoke - oil needs a top-up every 3 or so weeks. Wondering if this is due to valve stem seals or oil rings? Only 165k or so. Compression is still good.

All the usual 4cyl issues - murderous chain rattles, holy exhaust, oil leaks here and there, busted p/s rack boots, CV joint clicking etc etc. I know this car is a bomb but I prefer driving it instead of my 2000 mazda protege.

Probably throwing away good money but I'd like to see what can be fixed on it without bankrupting myself.

Cheers :)

valve stem seals. up to you what to spend. timeing chian is a pian to do in caron the tr,s . myself i would pull the engine out and do both whilst it out. or just do the chian abit off smoke wont kill you lol.

Thanks magnaman - looks like the engine is coming out :D Might get all the seals done while it's out.

Why do you prefer driving the Magna more then your Mazda? the second gens are great cars, I have been driving a KR Verada around for the best part of the last 10 years, so realiable and just a pleasure to drive on a long trip and comfy, but I have a KH Verada now, hope it can be just as good.



Hi folks,

Got an old TR exec 4 cyl auto I'm mucking about with. Blows quite a bit of smoke - oil needs a top-up every 3 or so weeks. Wondering if this is due to valve stem seals or oil rings? Only 165k or so. Compression is still good.

All the usual 4cyl issues - murderous chain rattles, holy exhaust, oil leaks here and there, busted p/s rack boots, CV joint clicking etc etc. I know this car is a bomb but I prefer driving it instead of my 2000 mazda protege.

Probably throwing away good money but I'd like to see what can be fixed on it without bankrupting myself.

Cheers :)

Why do you prefer driving the Magna more then your Mazda? the second gens are great cars, I have been driving a KR Verada around for the best part of the last 10 years, so realiable and just a pleasure to drive on a long trip and comfy, but I have a KH Verada now, hope it can be just as good.

Much nicer to drive on the highway. The astron has a bit more grunt than the 1.6L ZM in the mazda. Had an old TP that my sister gave me when I started work - it had to go in the end due to rust issues. Was sad to see that one go :(

I'll probably waste up to $2K on the TR (yeah I know it really is a waste - lol). Chains, valve stem seals, radiator, water pump, CV joints. Probably won't be much money left in the budget by the time all that's done.

Much nicer to drive on the highway. The astron has a bit more grunt than the 1.6L ZM in the mazda. Had an old TP that my sister gave me when I started work - it had to go in the end due to rust issues. Was sad to see that one go :(

I'll probably waste up to $2K on the TR (yeah I know it really is a waste - lol). Chains, valve stem seals, radiator, water pump, CV joints. Probably won't be much money left in the budget by the time all that's done.

Not really a waste if you keep the car and get the use out of it, or buy a new car and loose $5000 in the first day plus if you paying it off your wasting money in interest plus the car would depreciate about as much as your paying off it a week. Whats the biggest waste of money???? fix the TR and will last for ages, plus do as much work to it as you can will save you heaps. all the best with it

I'm about to get the valve stems done on mine, already had recon cv's go in. Radiator and cooling system needs to be replaced, chains fine at the moment though.