Video about owning a Toyota Starlet as a first car

Came over a pretty new video about owning a Toyota Starlet as a first car. I agree with him, but he doesnt seem to mention the most important about the car. That´s it reliable..Thats the prime reason for me.. Simple, fun, and reliable.

He´s done som modifications to the car, it´s a non turbo. About 95 / 100 horsepower.

Take a look at this Starlet from 1999:

Owning A Toyota Starlet, First Modified Car Review

Spotted in town...

It´s not that often that I see a Starlet in town (Västerås, Sweden) so when I see one, I do try to take a picture..

Seems to be in pretty good shape.

No visible rust.

Same color as mine.

Video: Changing oil and oilfilter on a Starlet from 1997

Here are the video when I´m changing oil and oil filter on the Starlet.

Time to replace the oil in the Engine

Its time! Changing engine oil and oil filter on the Starlet.

Felt like it was time to give the beloved Starlet some service.

I did consider lots of alteernatives for the choice of oil but ended up chosing Biltema Fully Synthetic 5W-40. I´ve used it on some of my earlier cars and have been pleased with it. Specification is API SN which tells me that the oil should be of fine quality.

Here is the oilplug on the Starlet EP91

To get better access under the car I drove the car up on this truck frame.

No problem climbing under the car now. :-)

 I also made a movie, though it might be of interest for you. I will show it in the next post. Have to do some editing first.

Bying a new car battery for the Starlet

I need a new car battery for the Starlet. Which one to choose?

In my car there were an old Biltema 44 ah mounted. The size:
Lxbxh
207,5x175x195 mm (Heigh 19,5 cm )
You could probably fit a battery a little longer, perhaps 227 mm (measure your self!)

In this post I just gather what I´ve comed across. Its a bit messy but anyway, here goes..


Found a test here: Testfakta review
Banner Power Bull P6205 test winner
Bosch S4 consumes very little water. Very good capacity, but takes a little longer to recharge.
Tudor - Good performance
Biltema - Good starting ability but worse capacity. High waterconsumption and cheapest.

Totatbetyg means Total grade

Since Banner Power Bull got a good grade in this test I checked them out and found that they had a size that would fit the Toyota Starlet. Picture from Technical data sheet. You find it here.

Found a seller in Bromma Stockholm SGA.

However it´s an Calcium battery which makes me suspicious..

"The next stage has dominated on a wide front in recent years and is called Calcium-Calcium. This involves the antimony on both the negative and positive plates being replaced by calcium alloy. The benefits are obvious. The fluid loss of the battery is about 80 % lower than that of antimony batteries and the self-discharge is lower, i.e. they can remain unused for longer periods without losing a lot of their charge. The disadvantage is that they are more demanding when charging if they have been over-discharged." source: http://www.driverstechnology.co.uk/car-batteries.htm

"Lead calcium batteries fail more rapidly than Antimonial lead alloy batteries due to rapid corrosion of the positive plate in hotter under bonnet temperatures. Lead calcium batteries are also prone to grid growth and cracking which in turn leads to premature battery failure. Here the structure and shape of the positive battery plate changes causing cracking and the shedding of active material, again this is accelerated in higher perating temperatures." source: http://www.centurybatteries.com.au/content/documents/battery-talk/issue-1-battery-talk-what-are-silvercalcium-batter.pdf

Two batteries that should fit.

1045 Swedish crones at Mekonomen.

Technical datasheet from http://www.batteriexpressen.se/dokument/Bosch%20S4002.pdf

Picture from: https://se.bosch-automotive.com/sv/parts_and_accessories_6/service_parts_6/batteries_12/s3_s4_s5_4/s3_s4_s5_1

Picture from: https://se.bosch-automotive.com/sv/parts_and_accessories_6/service_parts_6/batteries_12/s3_s4_s5_4/s3_s4_s5_1

Swedol sells global, but quite expensive.

Screen shot from: http://www.swedol.se/startbatterier-global-automotive-12v.html

Global manufactures OKQ8:s batteri.

Varta 44ah and 52ah

Screen shot from: http://www.batteriexpressen.se/brand.html/varta-bilbatteri-startbatteri

Autoexperteren, Omformargatan 2

Screenshot from autoexperten: https://www.autoexperten.se/varumarken/varta/

Lägg till bildtext

Lägg till bildtext

An evan better alternative? also autoexperten:
No the plus was on the wrong side! Went to buy, but when I saw that I reconsidered.

Screen shot from: https://www.autoexperten.se/reservdelar/elsystem-och-strom/startbatterier/batteri-b19-black-dynamic/


Autoexpert recommends the following battery

Vikt [kg]: 16 kg

Längd [mm]: 232 mm

Batterikapacitet [Ah]: 60 Ah

Poltyp: 1

Bottenmontering: B00

Bredd [mm]: 173 mm

Höjd [mm]: 225 mm

Köldstartström EN [A]: 540 A

Spänning [V]: 12 V

But I´m afraid that height is to high.. 

This one should fit perfectly I think. Probably one of the best choices.

Tudor Exide, expensive though.

230 x 180 x 186 mm 1 988 kr /st

Screen shot from: http://www.batteriexpressen.se/product.html/startbatteri-60ah-tudor-exide-usa-eb608

Starlet EP91 with sunroof

Got an email from George from Greece about this blue and beatiful Starlet with sunroof. I really cant read the modeltext but it seems to be a fully equipt model. Double airbags, rpm-meter, colored mirror, bumpers, handles and so on.
Looks nice!
I have not seen any Starlet here in Sweden who has a sunroof. It sure would be nice to have.

Seems to be in good condition.

1997 - 2650 EUR

Black sunroof on a Toyota Starlet  EP91, looks nice!

I guess it´s electric?

Side view of the cars, some alloy wheels also.

Cant read the sticker above the Toyota text? S modell something

Seems to be missing a piece of the plastic protection on the side?

tachometer sas about 110000 km, not much.

Pictures from http://www.car.gr/classifieds/cars/photos/7097599/

Changing wipers

Time to change the wiper on the Starlet..

I choose the cheap Biltema windscreen wipers. The had some good testresult and the durability got the highest points, so lets try them.

Biltema wipers.. Replace all three of them, diffrent lenght on all of them, smallest in the back. See size on picture.

Old ones that got replaced. Tossed them.

Works like a charm so far. Will update if they dont last..

-------- From another site ----------

Driver Blade: 1 x 20" / 500mm Metal Frame Spolier Blade

Passenger Blade: 1 x 17" / 450mm Metal Frame Single Blade

Rear Blade: 1 x 16" / 400mm Metal Frame Single Blade

----------------  -------------

Remove old Wipers

In my case to get the old ones of: pushing on "tabs" does not work (even though you might think so), you have to use a flat screwdriver and relase the front flaps holding the plastic clip in place. Need to do on both sides (pull the holders out) and then can pull the plastic clip backwards.. It was hard figure out.

Replaceing and moving car battery on Starlet

Replacing car battery and moving it..

Yes that´s what I did. Since my battery was really bad it is time to replace it. Since I already have a pretty fresh leisure battery I decided to test if that would work!
I can tell you, When I was at the yearly car inspection (mandatory here in Sweden), the car didnt even start after the inspector had fibble with the lights (when the engine was off). A bit humiliating it was..

Ok, so this is what I did:

OLD Biltema 44Ah was worn out.. Not the best stuff. Removed it from the car Bredd [mm]: 175 Höjd [mm]: 190 Längd [mm]: 207

Changing to this one: Tudor dual TR350 Marine & Multifit by Exide 350Wh 80 Ah Coldstart up to 510A Height: 220 mm Lenght: 260 mm Width: 175 mm

Car battery gone! Now it´s emty were the battery use to be. I have connected some bigger cables to the "poles". The red and brown ones.

I´ve wired the cables through the "torpedo wall" into the inside of the car. Will do a better job with stripes and taping the cables better to get rid of electronic and magnetics fields. Also do it more secure.

Here the new battery is conneted, trying it out. Works like a charm

As a fuse, I use a 3-pole 50 ampere automatic fuse and use all tree of the connection so that about 150 ampere can run trouch when starting the car without the fuse going.

Put the battery inside the car temporary to try it out. Will eventually move it to the back carrige room if it seems to work out ok. Now I have almost double the battery power in the Starlet! Yes!

That´s it, hope you have some use of it. :-)

Preventive maintenance: Changing cambelt video, Toyota Starlet, 4E-FE

Video of me changing cambelt in my car.

Date of replacement: 2015-07-20

I did not change the tensioner pulley and the idle-pulley, the condition were fine. Felt perfect in their bearings and the car has only done 76090 km, so I only changed the belt. If the bearing is going bad you will here them also. Hey this is Toyota quality, they will last atlest double the miles before they need replacement.

Part 1
Part 2


----------------------------  -------------------

[EDIT 2019-01-22]
Always glad when I get some emails from people pleased with the videos and that it helped them out.

----------- Mail -------------
Johnny from Australia

"I'm writing to you from Australia after watching your videos and reading your steps for changing the timing belt on a Toyota starlet 1997. Same car as me!

Thanks to you, I successfully replaced the belt, tensioner, idler (and water pump while I was in there...)

It was really helpful to watch how you did it. Thanks so much!"

"I've attached more of the water pump and tensioner/idler if you want to post those too. I only drive the car maybe 200km in a whole week, but so far I have had it for 12 years and only changed the oil regularly. I did have to replace the CV joints once (both) as they were leaky, but that's it! Great car."


Here's some photos.


--------------- Thank you Johnny for your supportive email and pictures! :-) -----------

Possibly the most reliable engine ever

Possibly the most reliable engine ever.. The Toyota Starlet 4E-FE. :-)

Just found these comments. Apperently we might watch our wheel bearings.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiIu-X1rvJs

Toyota Starlet goes 600.000 km / 372822miles

Found this Youtube video from Iraklis Pouaro of a Toyota Starlet Ep91 turning 600.000 km on its odometer, This trustworthy car just will run and run.

The description of the video says:

"My toyota starlet ep 91 has now 600.000 km without having a problem at all of its life"

600.000 km, that's equal to 372822 miles

Many miles on a Toyota Starlet Ep91. One of the most reliable cars ever made? (overall that it)
Reliability Rating = HIGH!



Does your Toyota Starlet have high mileage? Please comment if you think its been reliable. :-)

Mine sure has.

How to remove speedometer and dashboard, Toyota Starlet

Hi Folks!

Thought I would share what I found. :-)

Found this description with good explanation of dismantling the front interior.

Here is the description.

http://mearcatmini.blogspot.se/2009/08/how-to-remove-starlet-dash-wiring.html


Here another on changing the cambelt

http://mearcatmini.blogspot.se/2010/07/4e-timing-belt-change.html

Videos: Changing timing belt in a Starlet EP91

Found this interresting videos from a guy (Peter Anderson) fixing with his Starlets. Interesting stuff if you like cars. Peter speaks good about Toyota and how ingeniously they did these cars. He thinks they are very easy to work on.

BUT if you are looking for timing belt instructions I've made a newer better post. Check it out here.



Power Steering and Timing belt change


Cleaning chairs, removing the fabric.

Restoring an other Toyota Starlet Ep91 with a donor.


Another link showing timing belt change on the 4e series.

http://mearcatmini.blogspot.se/2010/07/4e-timing-belt-change.html


Easy way to remove a stubborn crankshaft pulley bolt



"Note that the pulley has four holes. Two of the holes are threaded and the other two holes are not. I had to rotate the crank shaft (via the pulley bolt) to gain access to the threaded holes in order to use the club."
Source: http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/103-3rd-4th-generation-1992-1996-1997-2001/264425-diy-gen3-timing-belt-waterpump-oil-seal-change-part-1-a.html

Remove front bumper on Starlet

I got an email, asking about the front bumper and headlight. If you need to remove the front bumper in order to remove passenger headlight. Thought I could publish a picture of it.

"Glad, you still have the Starlet and that the Oil change worked for you. I´m very pleased with mine. No problems, just runs fine.
I really don't know about the headlight. But I have removed the front bumper, and it was not a big thing. Other cars I have removed the bumper to get the headlight removed, but don't know if it could be done with it in place on the Starlet..
Pretty easy to remove the bumper.. Isn't it some differences between Glanza headlight and a regular Starlet? Perhaps that is why you get different information from the UK-site and the Australian?"

Here are the screws you need to remove:

Here are the screws you need to remove, to get the Front bumper from the car.

Tail light

Good luck! :-)

Rust on Starlets?

Rust is not that very common fortunately.

But I managed to find one that had some clearly noticeable rust.

Boot cover, pretty common, must have been something wrong from the start.

Rust on: Front lower beam, Doors, and rear wheelhouse

I have also heard that the upperside (topside?) of the fuel-tank is common to rust. You cant normally see this.

Rear brakelines I think is common. The inspector took a knife to try to find on my car, he did not find any rust. #Rust treatment

Officiella tjänstevikten och bilskatten är för hög mot verkligheten..

Hej,
Tänkte uppdatera er på hur det går med bilskatten. Idag har jag mailat skatteverket och hoppas på att dom kan hjälpa mig.

Idag har jag äntligen tagit mig till bilprovningen för att dels väga bilen och även besikta bilen. Mycket riktigt väger min bil mindre än dom officiella siffrorna som transportstyrelsen har. Det är inte transportstyrelsens fel då Toyota uppenbarligen rapporterat fel siffror.. Jag har kontaktat Toyotas generalagent i Sverige och har tyvärr blivit avfärdad. Se tidigare inlägg här och här.

Följande gäller för min bil och vid vägningstillfället:

Alla vätskor är som dom ska. Olja, bromsolja, hydralolja till koppling, växelådsolja, allt är korrekt ifyllt. korrekt. Spolarvätskan uppfylld till max. Bilen fulltankad och körd en mil sedan tankning.

I övrigt har bilen rostskyddats dels av rostskyddsföretag (Börjes Rostskydd, bästa sorten, dvs allt är rostskyddsbehandlat), samt även en exta gång av mig med både linolja och bitiumbaserad rostskyddsmassa. Väger säkert 6-10 kilo bara detta.

Bilen har såklart all inredning, säten och reservhjul precis som standard. Ingenting urplockat för att ge fina siffror! Snarare har det tillkommit vikter sedan den var ny.

Har dessutom dragit extra tjocka strömkablar för ett slutsteg i bilen. Väger uppskattningsvis några extra kilon.

Handsfacket var fullt av bråte och "bra att ha saker". Extra bagagerumsmatta.

Ryggsäck med diverse prylar låg i bilen vid fototillfället. Innehöll bland annat verktyg utifall något snabbt behövdes fixas i samband med bilbesiktning som gjordes strax efter vägning.

Förarsätet även belagd med överdragsskydd.

Så en hel del extravikt förutom om den står som rent med tjänstevikt.

Ändå väger bilen 40 kilo mindre inkl mig som förare (väger 78-80 kg) än dom officiella siffrorna (1020 kg).

Utan mig sittandes i bilen väger bilen 900 kg.

Med mig sittandes i bilen visade mättavlan 980 kg.

Testade att ställa bilen på olika ställen på vågen, men det gav ingen skillnad på mätvärde. Fick samma värde var jag än stod med bilen på plattan.

Följande är bildbevis tagna några minuter innan bilbesiktning. Datum 2014-08-01. Det går att kolla att mätarställning på bilen matchar fotot med besiktningsprotokoll. dvs bevis på att vägning och bilprovning skedde vid samma tillfälle.

Här syns vågplattan. Spelade ingen var jag stod på denna platta. Vägningen visade samma resultat ändå. Som synes ger mätvärdet ett resultat av 900 kg. Bilen fulltankad och alla vätskor som dom ska, spolvätskan maxfylld. All inredning på plats, reservhjul på plats etc. Plus lite extra prylar som ligger och skräpar och knappast gör att bilen väger mindre. :) 

Ytterligare en bild med samma resultat, 900 kg. Ingen sitter i bilen.

Här har jag hoppat in i bilen. Jag väger runt 78-80 kg. Vågen visar nu 980 kg. 40 kg mindre än dom officiella som transportsstyrelsen har. Jag får alltså betala mer bilskatt än jag borde eftersom tjänstevikt är med i beräkning av fordonsskatt så vitt jag förstår. Jag börjar tyvärr även ifrågasätta om dom andra siffrorna som Toyota lämnat  verkligen stämmer..

Här syns att bilen är fulltankad. Den står här på vågen. Bilen har körts 10 kilometer sedan fulltankning. Mätarställning 74687 km stämmer med bilprovningen besiktningsprotokoll som gjordes ca 5 minuter efter att denna bild togs. Datum 2014-08-01

Besiktningsprotokoll: Här syns vägmätarställning som bekräftar bilden ovan. 

Givetvis ställer jag upp på en ny oberonede mätning om skatteverket och transportstyrelsen inte tror på mina bilder.