Tune Up

[mrnickleye]

You don't drain the coolant to do a block test. You simply lower the level in the radiator about 2" to allow for some air clearance. A block test kit/tool is used to do the testing.

You can have a shop do it for a couple of $$. At my shop, we do it for free (and we don't even do headgasket jobs). We do it as a courtesy to the customer. If the test is positive, they are going to be spending a lot of $$$ (at some other shop).

We specialize in smog repairs, brakes, and regular maintenance work, intake gaskets, etc.

You can also find out if the headgasket is leaking combustion gasses into the cooling system by using an exhaust gas analyzer (smog test machine). We do that too. Quick and easy.

Nobody changes (although it would be a good thing) the O2 sensor during a tune up.

Nobody does a valve adjust on a 7m during a tune up. It is a seperate, and expensive job, And only should be done by a VERY competent mechanic with experience on this motor.

Timing belt is a seperate job, too.

A tune up is Ignition parts and settings, and fuel filter and adjustments. Not all that other stuff (hoses, thermostat, flushes etc).

Although, it a great thing to do those things on a regular basis.

A word of advice......(I've done this with every car since I could drive).......
Get a little pocket size notebook to keep in your glovebox. Record every thing you ever do to the car, date & mileage.

Keep all your receipts in a folder in the house.

If someone breaks into your car and steals the book, you still have records at home. (my dad's truck got broken into, and they grabbed everything in the glove box, which is where "HE" stored all his receipts. (bad idea)

MSD (multi spark discharge) wires are considered top of the line. I personally use NGK wires, and bought a length of MSD wire and connector ends and boots and made my own for the coil to cap wire.

I tried using the MSD ignition box w/tach adaptor, but could not get it to work smoothly. The Toyota coil is 'hot' enough, so I went back to stock. My car runs smooth as glass, with NO misfires under any condition.