It is very important to get a full check-up when purchasing a used car, especially if it is a performance car. During the check-up, it is possible to have a clear picture of the current condition and what is needed to be done to restore the car. When I first bought the Nissan Fairlady Z, I took it to a workshop that was renowned in all things Fairlady. This time was no exception and that is why I took my Toyota Altezza to Top Secret Performance workshop. I have known the owner of Top Secret since my Toyota Celica days. He currently owns 2 Toyota Altezzas and has experience working on various Toyota models. If I am looking for an expert in Altezzas, then he is the guy to see. I already had a list of things to do before visiting the workshop and I arrived even before it was opened.
The first thing that needs to be done is to return the car height to its original, factory setting. I have never liked lowered cars because of the many speed bumps and basement parking in Malaysia. It makes it an inconvenience to drive and there was also the problem of something scrapping when turning the steering wheel all the way to one side. My Altezza is currently equipped with a D2 Coilover set that has height and dampening adjustability. So, it is possible to lower and in this case, increase the height of the car. When the wheels were removed, I took the chance to examine the rims to see if there is any evidence that the rims were scrapping with something when I do U-turns. I found scratch marks on the inner lip of the front, left rim and also on the anti-roll bar. Clearly, when fully turned left, the rim comes in contact with the bar and scraps during U-turns. I told the mechanic in charge but it did not seem to be of importance to him. After around 20 minutes, the height was adjusted and it looks much better in my opinion. I do not have to worry about going over bumps or parking at underground parking.
Next, the car was prepped for regular engine service. It is always a good idea to service the engine because there is usually, no service record provided by the previous owner. It serves as a fresh start to new ownership and avoids facing failures in the short term. Top Secret recommends HKS engine oil from Japan and from the label, it is quite the premium, sports engine oil. I also had them looked at another issue that I was facing. Whenever I start the engine, the ignition needs to crank the engine for a long time before the engine could start. The first thing that was checked was the spark plugs. The spark plug looks old but not worn out. I asked to change the plugs since it was already removed. They tried to start the car after both were done but the problem still persisted. They suspected the fuel system next and immediately thought to check the fuel filter. It was troublesome to remove the filter as the rear seats had to be first removed. The fuel filter was very dirty and from the looks of it, it is the original filter from 20 years ago. Luckily, one was available and could be changed right away. They also found out that although the fuel pump is still working, there was one wire that was opened and that could cause an explosion. They found a used plug lying around and immediately changed for me.
All the hard work paid off when the engine started after only a short crank. The problem could be caused by insufficient fuel supply during ignition. The filter might have been blocked and only little fuel could pass through. This also explains why there was a lag during acceleration after speed bumps and why the engine would stall easily. The owner took me for a test drive and told me the engine is healthy and power is great. He did a U-turn but unfortunately, the scrapping sound is still there. This meant that the scrapping was not caused by the lowered height of the car and I was disappointed but determined to find the cause. Overall, I was happy with Top Secret and am glad to solve some issues with the car. I felt the car drives much better now. There are still some things to be done to the Altezza but I will do it one by one.
