New Surf owner

[icsys]

Hi all.
Just found this forum today, registered and spent the best part of six hours reading all the posts.

I bought my first 4x4 three weks ago.. 92 Surf 2.4 ssrx
I wish I had found this forum before then.
I am beginning to worry now with all the posts on overheating, cracked heads etc...

This surf has only been in the country 7 weeks and I was impressed by how clean and rust-free it is underneath, how straight the bodywork is how clean the interior is and how sweet the engine sounds. To look at it you would think it was only half its age. Now I am concerned it will rot in our salt ridden winters. yet I have found no mention anywhere here about undersealing.
Also I was considering changing the coolant and antifreeze but now I am unsure what to do. Will 'normal' antifreeze cause more harm than good?
http://www.yotasurf.co.uk/Forums/showthread.php?t=389

On the subject of cooling, I noticed a second radiator slung under the normal one, it's almost horizontal and covered with a steel deflector, was wondering what this is for?

Am I worrying unnecessarily?

[Gamedawn]

Nice to see another convert joining the ranks Welcome

I think the head / overheating thing is something to be aware of, not worry about. It happened to me but plenty of people have had no problems at all. Also my head was almost certainly damaged before it left Japan so nothing I could have done.

You should certainly change the anti-freeze - I don't think it matters too much whether you use Toyota type or Bluecol type (I use Bluecol) the important thing is to flush the system very thoroughly (including the block and heaters) to get all the old stuff out. I think a good tip is to change the pressure cap as well - the rubber seal split on mine and made it look like my head was going again

The radiator under the engine is for your air con.

The most important thing is - ENJOY

Roger

[gemini]

Hi all.
Just found this forum today, registered and spent the best part of six hours reading all the posts.

I bought my first 4x4 three weks ago.. 92 Surf 2.4 ssrx
I wish I had found this forum before then.
I am beginning to worry now with all the posts on overheating, cracked heads etc...

This surf has only been in the country 7 weeks and I was impressed by how clean and rust-free it is underneath, how straight the bodywork is how clean the interior is and how sweet the engine sounds. To look at it you would think it was only half its age. Now I am concerned it will rot in our salt ridden winters. yet I have found no mention anywhere here about undersealing.
Also I was considering changing the coolant and antifreeze but now I am unsure what to do. Will 'normal' antifreeze cause more harm than good?
http://www.yotasurf.co.uk/Forums/showthread.php?t=389

On the subject of cooling, I noticed a second radiator slung under the normal one, it's almost horizontal and covered with a steel deflector, was wondering what this is for?

Am I worrying unnecessarily?

how clean the interior is and how sweet the engine sounds. To look at it you would think it was only half its age. Now I am concerned it will rot in our salt ridden winters. yet I have found no mention anywhere here about undersealing. have a look here http://ace.webspace.fish.co.uk/ia003237.htm

[Guest]

Undersealing is a must do, they don't use salt on the roads in Japan so they don't protect them as much as if they were destined for export. Something like Waxoyle is the stuff and also make sure you do the rear of the bumpers and inside any cavities.

Someone did once mention on the old forum about a place that did the whole job for about £400 including a good steam clean first.

Welcome to the forum, you'll find it very informative and also peopled by some very strange people (only kidding)
Cheers

[Delboy]

I've never heard of this Waxoyle stuff. Does anyone know if they sell it here in Ireland?

[Silver Surfer]

Halfords sell it, if you don't have them over there, then any decent car spares shop should stock it. It's available in small aerosols, or you can buy a bigger can, and pressure spray it your self. As has been said don't forget to do behind the bumpers, also squirt it into every hole you can find in the chassis/bodywork. The cleaner it is underneath before you start the better. Cannot recommend doing this too highly, as for underseal; forget it, you'd be better off spraying the underside with waste oil.
John

[malum]

I waxolyed and undersealed mine a couple of months ago.
It'a a horrible job but a must do.
The waxoyl and underseal cost about £20 all in so if you can do it yourself you'll save a packet.

[Silver Surfer]

Oh and another thought, spray some into the space inside your doors, all 5 of them, if you have 5.
John

[icsys]

Thanks guys,

A mate suggested spraying with waste oil but that sounds messy (dirt etc.. sticking to it) Waxoyle sounds like the way to go.

A trip to Halfords is in order...
...unless I can find a local garage wo can do the job.

[Guest]

An alternative is Dinitrol 3125 and Dinitrol RC800.

The first of these is like Waxoyl, a wax formulation that penetrates rust and stops any more forming and provides a tough coating.

The secong is a rust converter for heavily rusted areas.

Both of these can be got from www.frost.co.uk.

Cheers

[Morr]

An alternative is Dinitrol 3125 and Dinitrol RC800.

The first of these is like Waxoyl, a wax formulation that penetrates rust and stops any more forming and provides a tough coating.

The secong is a rust converter for heavily rusted areas.

Both of these can be got from www.frost.co.uk.

Cheers

Dinitrol AV8 and AV30 are used by many airlines (and many aircraft mechs cars ) Its excellent stuff, not sure how readily available it is, but as an indicator of dinitrol products, its good. Another possible brand is LPS3, not so common nowdays but was once the primary formulation for use on aircraft