94 Tercel Valve Adjustment

[Bobbit]

I just bought a 94 Tercel with about 120,000 miles. Runs great, passed smog, but takes about a quart of oil every 1,000 miles. How important is the valve adjustment? The last time there is a record of it being done is at 60,000 miles. Should I have this done immediately or can I wait until I hit 150,000 miles?

[gator2764]

Originally Posted by Bobbit

I just bought a 94 Tercel with about 120,000 miles. Runs great, passed smog, but takes about a quart of oil every 1,000 miles. How important is the valve adjustment? The last time there is a record of it being done is at 60,000 miles. Should I have this done immediately or can I wait until I hit 150,000 miles?

Your oil use is most likely related to the valve guide seals. These 1.5 liter motors are pretty good except for the guides. One quart per 1k miles isn't as bad as mine was before I did a partial rebuild. I was adding 1 qt. every 300 miles. Might just want to pull the head and have it rebuilt for $300.00 if you want to keep the car. I now have 244K on it and still driving great with NO oil use between changes every 3 to 4k miles. Did the rebuild at 193K or so.

[4speedsleeper]

Or grab a motor from a paseo slap it in instant reliability!thats what i did scrap the 3ee and installed a 5efe 91-94 with dis.

[EvilTim]

I'd say the guides are worn as well, that or the engine was run without oil for a while and the rings scored the cylinder walls and need to be resized and honed.
But don't listen to that guy.. Paseo (Pass a Hoe)? PFFF.. Go big man, get the 4E-FTE Glanza V's Starlet Turbo-charged 1.5l Terror. You can find one and the powertrain for <1600$ and It's like strapping a rocket to your tercel and kicking it in the balls.