Toyota1982–1988Technical specifications

Tercel 1.5 4x4: Technical specifications

Workshop data for the 1.5-litre petrol (engine code 3A). Covers engine, fluids, service and torques: the figures to check before a job or a parts order.

Summary

Match the engine code (3A) to the vehicle before ordering parts or applying these figures.

Vehicle specifications

Overview

Make: Toyota
Model: Tercel
Years: 1982–1988
Fuel: Petrol
Engine code: 3A

Performance & efficiency

Power: 52 kW (71 hp)
Engine size: 1,452 cc
Cylinders: 4 · OHC
Compression ratio: 9.0:1
Fuel system: Aisan

Fluids & capacities

Engine oil (with the filter): 3.9 litres

All 87 specifications below

Engine & identification

Vehicle identification

No. of cylinders Type	4/OHC
Capacity (Fiscal) cc	1452 (1442)
Compression ratio :1	9,0
Suitable for unleaded petrol	Yes
Minimum octane rating RON	91
Ignition system Type	SZ
Ignition system Description	CB
Fuel system Make	Aisan
Fuel system Type	14100
Fuel system Description	Carb-2V

Ignition system

Ignition coil Make	Denso
Ballast resistance Ohm	1,3-1,5
Primary resistance Ohm	1,3-1,6
Secondary resistance Ohm	10700-14500
Distributor (ECM) Make	Denso
Distributor (ECM) No.	15090/15100
Contact breaker gap/trigger air gap mm	0,45
Dwell angle °(%)	46-58 (52-64)

Firing order

The firing order for the Toyota Tercel 1.5 4x4 (1982–1988) is 1-3-4-2.

Firing order	1-3-4-2

Valve clearances

Valve clearances for the Toyota Tercel 1.5 4x4 (1982–1988) are 0,20 mm inlet and 0,30 mm exhaust, measured hot.

Valve clearance - INLET mm	0,20 hot
Valve clearance - EXHAUST mm	0,30 hot

Engine oil & fluids

Engine oil

The Toyota Tercel 1.5 4x4 (1982–1988) takes 3.9 litres of engine oil with the filter.

A listed engine oil option is SAE 10W-30 for moderate climates, with API/ACEA classification SE.

A listed engine oil option is SAE 20W-50 as an alternative for moderate climates.

Manual gearbox

The manual gearbox has a listed capacity of 3.9 litres. The specified oil is SAE 80W-90.

Coolant

The listed total cooling-system capacity is 5.0 litres.

Grades, filling conditions and capacities

Lubricants and capacities — complete reference
Engine oil options
Ambient temperature range	Moderate climate
Engine oil grade SAE	10W-30
Engine oil classification API/ACEA	SE
Ambient temperature range	Moderate climate alternative
Engine oil grade SAE	20W-50
Engine with filter(s) litres	3.9
Other lubricants and capacities
Manual transmission oil grade SAE	80W-90
Manual transmission litres	3.9
Differential oil grade - rear SAE	90W
Differential rear litres	1.0
Cooling system - total capacity litres	5.0

Service & electrical

Ignition timing

Basic ignition timing for the Toyota Tercel 1.5 4x4 (1982–1988) is 5°±2° BTDC at 900 rpm.

Ignition timing	Without vacuum
Ignition timing - basic BTDC °Engine/rpm	5±2/900
Ignition timing - alternative °Engine/rpm	84-=7±2/900

Battery

The Toyota Tercel 1.5 4x4 (1982–1988) uses a 12 V, 45 Ah battery (reserve capacity 65 minutes).

Battery V/RC(Ah)	12/65 (45)

Spark plugs

The Toyota Tercel 1.5 4x4 (1982–1988) uses NGK BPR5EY spark plugs with a 0,8 mm electrode gap.

Spark plugs Original equipment	NGK
Spark plug Type	BPR5EY
Electrode gap mm	0,8
Spark plugs Make	Bosch
Spark plug Type	WR8DC
Electrode gap mm	0,8
Spark plugs Make	Champion
Spark plug Type	RN9YCC4
Electrode gap mm	1,1
Spark plugs Make	NGK
Spark plug Type	BPR5EY
Electrode gap mm	0,8

Tuning and emissions

Ignition advance	Without vacuum and basic timing
Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm	0-4/1600
Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm	6-10/2500
Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm	19-23/5200
Vacuum check	Ignition timing advances
Vacuum range °Engine	13-17
Vacuum starts mbar	133
Vacuum ends mbar	373
Idle speed rpm	750
Idle speed - alternative rpm	AT=825±75
Fast idle speed - MT/AT rpm	2800-3200
Oil temperature °C	60-80
CO level at idle speed - tailpipe Vol. % CO	1,5±0,5
HC level at idle speed ppm	300
CO2 level at idle speed Vol. % CO2	13-16
O2 level at idle speed Vol. % O2	0,5-2,0

Starting and charging

Starter motor Make	Denso
Starter motor Type	12V 0,6 kW
Minimum starting voltage V	11,0
Maximum cranking amps A	122-149
Alternator Make	Nippon Denso
Alternator output A/V/rpm	50/14/2500
Regulated voltage V	13,8-14,8

Service checks and adjustments

Compression pressure bar	12,5
Oil pressure bar/rpm	2,5-5,0/3000
Radiator cap bar	0,75-1,05
Thermostat opens °C	80-84
Drive belt size - alternator mm	10x985
Drive belt tension - alternator/PAS/AC mm	10-12

Tightening torques

Cylinder head bolt torque

The cylinder head bolt torque for the Toyota Tercel 1.5 4x4 (1982–1988) is 53-64 Nm.

Cylinder head
Tighten	53-64 Nm

Other engine tightening torques
Cylinder head instructions	—
Main bearings Stage 1	27-32 Nm
Main bearings Stage 2	54-64 Nm
Big end bearings Stage 1	17-22 Nm
Big end bearings Stage 2	35-45 Nm
Flywheel/driveplate	74-83 Nm
Crankshaft pulley/damper centre bolt	108-127 Nm
Spark plugs	15-20 Nm
Chassis tightening torques
Front hub	137 Nm
Road wheels	105 Nm

Frequently asked questions

What is the firing order of the Toyota Tercel 1.5 4x4?

The firing order for the Toyota Tercel 1.5 4x4 (1982–1988) is 1-3-4-2.

What spark plugs does the Toyota Tercel 1.5 4x4 use?

The Toyota Tercel 1.5 4x4 (1982–1988) uses NGK BPR5EY spark plugs with a 0,8 mm electrode gap.

How much oil does the Toyota Tercel 1.5 4x4 take?

The Toyota Tercel 1.5 4x4 (1982–1988) takes 3.9 litres of engine oil with the filter. A listed engine oil option is SAE 10W-30 for moderate climates, with API/ACEA classification SE. A listed engine oil option is SAE 20W-50 as an alternative for moderate climates.

What are the valve clearances for the Toyota Tercel 1.5 4x4?

Valve clearances for the Toyota Tercel 1.5 4x4 (1982–1988) are 0,20 mm inlet and 0,30 mm exhaust, measured hot.

What is the cylinder head torque for the Toyota Tercel 1.5 4x4?

The cylinder head bolt torque for the Toyota Tercel 1.5 4x4 (1982–1988) is 53-64 Nm.

What is the ignition timing for the Toyota Tercel 1.5 4x4?

Basic ignition timing for the Toyota Tercel 1.5 4x4 (1982–1988) is 5°±2° BTDC at 900 rpm.