2001 Mk3 servicing

[Roymundo]

Hello all, I'm new here with my recent purchase of a red 2001 mk3 MR2 with 17,500 miles, a one lady owner from new. The car has a service history, stamped every year, it's done 2000 miles since last service. However I would like to do what ever servicing myself since retiring and enjoying my spare time. So far I've checked the air filter which looks new, coolant looks new, removed the pre-cats which were intact, overhauled the brakes... discs and pads are like new so apply copper grease to required areas, renewed the brake fluid and renewed the gear oil with Redline MT90. Next I intend to renew the engine oil with Mobil 3000 5w30 and filter, then check/clean spark plugs.
So here is my question...considering the above is there anything else I need to do as a service?  I've looked everywhere for a maintenance/workshop manual and service schedule but so far drawn a blank. Ask the local Mr T but no info available.
Can anyone help with service info and torque settings?
Thank you....Roy

[krazysteve]

Hi, check the steering btm UJ, they are out in the open and prone to rust.
Mine i have modified a steering gaiter and packed it with grease to try and extend it's life, last mot he thought i had a leak on the steering and a bad gaiter, until it was explained to him.
Rear subframe, check for rust.
Have a read through the reference and how to sections.

[cptspaulding]

With such low mileage and proper, up-to-date, annual service history, you have a rare item. I would be very tempted to keep up the service history and maintain that added value.

[gazza1286]

The power steering pipes are prone to corrosion and would benefit from some attention. Similarly the rear sub-frame is susceptible to rust. Smoothrite and cavity wax could be applied when you do the oil change.

[Joesson]

Welcome.
Sounds like you have a very good 2 there.
I have had a  2002 for about four years.
I am similarly too busy to work now.
Before I got my 2 I enquired about servicing costs with Mr T and accepted a contract at £10 a month for 3 years.
However, the servicing I received was not what I anticipated and now the contract is finished I started this year to do my own sevicing work.
During the contract I found for myself that the radiator was leaking, just after Mr T had changed the coolant!
I fitted a new rad myself.
My guess is that you intend to keep your 2 for the forseeable and are not interested in resale value.
If that is so I agree with your plan.
As well as the above steering uj, and power pipes have a look at the rad while in the frunk, or froot as Scotte advocates.
As for torque figures and info I got myself a helpful CD via ebay. On spyderchat there is also  a torque compilation that lists the major torque figures.
I am not into mods but have fixed the aerial with a supplementary switch and it now stays down when not using the radio.
A particularly good feature of the 2 that I have found is this forum!
Enjoy.

[1979scotte]

Don't use Toyota main dealer. They are a rip off and don't know what they are doing with our cars.
The self service route is the best if you have the time, space and tools to do the job.

[mrzwei]

Have a read through the reference and how to sections.

The links here are a good basic place to start:

 l viewtopic.php?f=46&t=49944 l

[Eastsoutheast]

I would be tempted to maintain the full dealer history on your car. With such low mileage and a complete history to date yours should command a decent premium. I do the same even though I know I could change the service items myself for much less.

Selling to the good people here on the forum your car will likely be purchased on condition with less importance placed on a FTSH. Selling the car outside of the forums is different though and I am convinced a FTSH will make your car more appealing, attract more enquires and ultimately secure a quicker sale for a decent price.

If your keeping for the long term then what you may lose in resale value will surely be negated by what you save in servicing costs.

I spoke to Toyota last week when my car was fully serviced as I have a 3 year 30000 mile service plan. I have now put my car on a 3000 policy so it seems daft to have the next (major) service carried out after a mere 3000 miles. The service manager advised me they could do what's called a essentials service meaning the book is stamped, oil changed and usual visual inspection is done. Maybe you could do similar, even provide the oil yourself so Toyota just change and inspect for a reduced rate (I managed to get BMW to do this on another car with a little pursuasion).

Just my tuppence worth and you have a great car.

[1979scotte]

I'm glad you experience of main dealers is better than mine and that of my friends.
I find they do very little except stamp the book.
I do agree however that away from this forums for sale section FTSH would be viewed as a bonus. How much extra it would fetch is unknown.

[Tomo70]

I'm sorry but If I was buying a car over 10 years old and in mint condition. If the owner could prove with receipts that he had serviced and maintained his own car it would mean more than a stamp from Toyota. No disrespect but it an individual on minimum wage is having a bad day at work, could be things on your car get missed.

I bet Toyota don't check the cross members either.  s:crazyeyes: :crazyeyes: s:crazyeyes:  

I will get back in my box now

Cheers Tom.

[MisterK]

I would be tempted to maintain the full dealer history on your car. With such low mileage and a complete history to date yours should command a decent premium. I do the same even though I know I could change the service items myself for much less.

Selling to the good people here on the forum your car will likely be purchased on condition with less importance placed on a FTSH. Selling the car outside of the forums is different though and I am convinced a FTSH will make your car more appealing, attract more enquires and ultimately secure a quicker sale for a decent price.

If your keeping for the long term then what you may lose in resale value will surely be negated by what you save in servicing costs.

I spoke to Toyota last week when my car was fully serviced as I have a 3 year 30000 mile service plan. I have now put my car on a 3000 policy so it seems daft to have the next (major) service carried out after a mere 3000 miles. The service manager advised me they could do what's called a essentials service meaning the book is stamped, oil changed and usual visual inspection is done. Maybe you could do similar, even provide the oil yourself so Toyota just change and inspect for a reduced rate (I managed to get BMW to do this on another car with a little pursuasion).

Just my tuppence worth and you have a great car.

Having owned my car since new, it has a full Toyota service history apart from two years when the service was carried out by Matt Performance.  As Matt has given up looking after our cars I needed to find the best option for me moving forward.  I've negotiated a great deal with my local Mr T & now have a service plan where the oil is changed every 12 months with on MOT & a general check over.  The car is now only doing 1000 miles a year, so this works well for me.  I can also ask for exras to be done eg plugs, brakes etc as and when required.  OK I could do it myself, but I wouldn't get a service stamp.  For what its worth, I intend keeping the car until I have to stop driving, so hopefully by then it could be worth a bit more with a full service history.  My experience of Mr T has always been positive - maybe I've been lucky.

[1979scotte]

Your car is in super condition so lets hope your local Toyota look after it well.
I have had some very poor experiences from main dealers including toyota rover and nissan twice on passenger vehicles and vans.

[Roymundo]

Many thanks for all your valued information. I'm away on holiday soon, on my return I will have a think of how to proceed with Mr T servicing.
One further thing....can anyone advise where to look for a service schedule. Just so I'm aware WHEN (mileage wise) valve clearances etc are to be checked.
Cheers folks

[Eastsoutheast]

Hi All

As you could see from a previous thread I started I have had some poor experiences with my local Toyota dealer. I was merely giving my tuppence worth RE maintaining or not a FTSH especially on a low mileage car. If our cars become collectable (which I expect they will at some point) and start rising in value the market will favour cars with a full and comprehensive history. At this point buyers will overlook issues in favour of the history file as most problems can be overcome but a comprehensive history is either available or not.

If the servicing costs were anywhere near as expensive as my previous Lexus then I would think twice but for a couple of hundred pound I get a service, stamped book and MOT. To do myself or use an independent would likely save me a hundred pound per year at most.

However as long as you enjoy the fantastic car who really cares!!

[normanh]

I wouldnt touch my local Main dealer with a bloody barge pole based on recent experiences I rate them worse than estate agents, thats why I take mine a 100 miles away for the routine servicing, had one problem recently which they acted perfect gents and resolved the matter. Having used them for 10 years now I am pretty happy.

I am a pretty good mechanic but I just cant be bothered nowdays although I do the odd small job. Cleaning and waxing is about my limit these days as I would rather be driving it getting pleasure than being underneath it, with my waist thats almost mission impossible these days. Each to their own.

Norman

[Roymundo]

Many thanks for advice and help to date, however I've decided to carry out servicing myself, if I get any problems that I can't resolve I will take it to a garage.
Still looking for a service schedule if anyone can help?..........also when should the valve clearances be checked considering the car has now done 18,000 miles in its 14 year life?  Cheers.

[stargazer30]

Take a watering can or jug and pour a bit water on each side of your soft top behind the windows.  if it doesn't run out the bottom of the wing, search blocked drains.  Easy to clean and very common.

Check the roof doesn't have "ears" if it does, fit the strap correctly.

[mrzwei]

Still looking for a service schedule if anyone can help?

This was quoted before:

 m http://www.mr2roc.org/Repository/misc/referencelib ... /MR2_5.pdf m

A generic Toyota service schedule came with the car documentation, a bit confusing because you had to work out what did or did not apply to the roadster.

With regard to the valve clearances, I wouldn't bother to check at your mileage unless the top end is really very noisy (they are all noisy anyway).
Massive pain to adjust because they use shims which you need access to a supply of, and you need to be accurate with your maths. I never did it but others have.

[Roymundo]

Cheers Stargazer drain holes checked and all ok, but what and where are the roofs "ears"?

Thanks also to mrzwei.....my car didn't come with a Toyota service schedule just service book. Is this something that could be copied and provided please?

Just finished hand painting the rear sub-frame with black Rustoleum 7379 combicolour it's great and holds back any rust.

Many thanks again

[MartinC]

Cheers Stargazer drain holes checked and all ok, but what and where are the roofs "ears"?

Thanks also to mrzwei.....my car didn't come with a Toyota service schedule just service book. Is this something that could be copied and provided please?

Just finished hand painting the rear sub-frame with black Rustoleum 7379 combicolour it's great and holds back any rust.

Many thanks again

Keep a close eye on the rear subframe.  Many believe they rust from the inside out.  If yours is good, then try and keep it that way by spraying your rust prevention product of choice inside it.  When I replaced mine, I filled it until it was overflowing with Waxoil.   s:D s:D

[Lurch]

Roy, I too have a low mileage  2003 mr2 now done 10,700 miles from new with all history and  books etc and my service book has a service schedule printed in it , also Dev on here was doing a very useful lamenated sheet with oil levels, torque settings, tyre pressures etc all the useful stuff you need and can keep in glove box. Will try and take picture of schedules and post on here in a bit. Or send me a post with your email mate and will send picture of it to you.

[Roymundo]

Looking at the gearbox for renewing the oil, I've noticed a 12mm bolt (about level with and about 75mm towards the near side)as well as the large I think about 22mm filler bolt in the casing. Can anyone confirm if this is the oil level bolt or is it the larger 22mm bolt that is used? It appears the quantity of new oil is 1.8L anyway....just inquisitive. Off on Monday to hunt some waxoil down and slip into rear sub frame, I assume one can pull one of the top rubber plugs for entry/fill hole?
Cheers, Roy

[Ardent]

You may wish to consider bilt hamber dynax s 50.
much easier application.

[Roymundo]

Just found out what and where the roof "ears" are. If I'm correct they are the roof corners as the roof is folded down, a strap is attached to either side which gently pulls the corners in so not to snag on the rear body-work.
Many thanks to Lurch for providing copies of service schedule, a big help. Thanks to all.