Toyota Tercel (Corsa) engines

The Toyota Tercel passenger car was produced by the Japanese company Toyota in 1978-2000. The model has five generations and five body types. The Tercel was the first front-wheel drive car produced by Toyota, with the layout and frame developed for popular Toyota models.

Initially, the car was intended for the American market, while in the domestic Japanese market it was sold under the name Toyota Corsa.

Toyota Tercel, 1st generation, 1978–1982

First generation Toyota Tercel, 1978–1982 The first generation Toyota Tercel was introduced in August 1978. At first it went on sale as a two- or four-door sedan and as a three-door hatchback. Tercel was equipped with a four- and five-speed manual gearbox, and from August 1979 on a 1.5-liter engine – an automatic three-speed.

Toyota Tercel, 2nd generation, 1982–1986

Second generation Toyota Tercel, 1982–1986 The second generation Toyota Tercel was released in May 1982 and was produced until 1986. The L20 series, the second generation, had more modern angular shapes compared to its predecessor. It was available in several variations – a five-door or three-door hatchback, a four-door station wagon, a four-door sedan sold only in Japan, and a five-door station wagon.

Toyota Tercel, 3rd generation, 1987–1990

Third generation Toyota Tercel, 1987–1990 In 1987, the Japanese company Toyota introduced the third generation of the Toyota Tercel. The model had a new twelve-valve engine. This model was presented in two types – a two-door sedan and a three- or five-door hatchback. Gasoline engines with a volume of 1.5 liters were installed on the car. As well as a four- or five-speed manual, or three or four-speed automatic transmission.

Toyota Tercel, 4th generation, 1990–1994

Fourth generation Toyota Tercel, 1990–1994 The Japanese company Toyota introduced the fourth Tercel series in 1990. It was presented in three variations – a two-door coupe, a three-door hatchback and a four-door sedan.

Toyota Tercel, 5th generation, 1994–1999

Fifth generation Toyota Tercel, 1994–1999 The fifth generation Toyota Tercel was released in September 1994. It was a completely new model. This model had improved body work done and was one of the few cars in the USA that had OBDII (On-board diagnostics) in 1995. This car was introduced in several variations – a two-door coupe, a three-door hatchback and a four-door sedan.

The Toyota Tercel (Corsa) was offered with 9 engines between 1979 and 1999 (1 diesel, 8 petrol). Displacement ranges from 1.3 to 1.5 liters, power output from 55 to 115 hp. All of them use a timing belt. 2 are turbocharged. The longest rated lifespan belongs to the Toyota 3A (about 300,000 km).

Toyota Tercel (Corsa) engines by generation

EngineYearsVolumePowerFuelTimingOilLifespan
Toyota Tercel 1 (L10) 1979–1982
Toyota 3A1979–19821.5 L R471–90 hppetrolbelt3.5 L~300,000 km
Toyota Tercel 3 (L30) 1986–1990
Toyota 1N / 1N-T1986–19901.5 L R455–67 hpdiesel, NA / turbobelt3.5 L~200,000 km
Toyota 3E-TE1986–19901.5 L R4115 hppetrol, turbobelt3.2 L~210,000 km
Toyota 3E-E1986–19901.5 L R480–90 hppetrolbelt3.2 L~240,000 km
Toyota 3E1986–19901.5 L R479–88 hppetrolbelt3.2 L~230,000 km
Toyota Tercel 4 (L40) 1990–1994
Toyota 5E-FE1990–19941.5 L R490–105 hppetrolbelt3.2 L~300,000 km
Toyota 4E-FE1990–19941.3 L R480–100 hppetrolbelt3.2 L~300,000 km
Toyota 5E-FHE1991–19941.5 L R4110–115 hppetrolbelt3.2 L~250,000 km
Toyota Tercel 5 (L50) 1994–1999
Toyota 2E1994–19991.3 L R465–82 hppetrolbelt3.2 L~220,000 km

Toyota Tercel (Corsa) engine FAQ

What engines were used in the Toyota Tercel (Corsa)?

Toyota Tercel 1 (L10) (1979–1982): Toyota 3A; Toyota Tercel 3 (L30) (1986–1990): Toyota 1N / 1N-T, Toyota 3E-TE, Toyota 3E-E and Toyota 3E; Toyota Tercel 4 (L40) (1990–1994): Toyota 5E-FE, Toyota 4E-FE and Toyota 5E-FHE; Toyota Tercel 5 (L50) (1994–1999): Toyota 2E.

Which Toyota Tercel (Corsa) engine is the most durable?

By rated service life the most durable Toyota Tercel (Corsa) engines are: Toyota 3A — about 300,000 km; Toyota 4E-FE — about 300,000 km; Toyota 5E-FE — about 300,000 km. Actual lifespan depends heavily on maintenance and oil change intervals.

How much oil does the Toyota Tercel (Corsa) engine take?

Engine oil capacity with filter: Toyota 1N / 1N-T — 3.5 L (5W-40); Toyota 2E — 3.2 L (5W-30); Toyota 3A — 3.5 L (5W-30); Toyota 3E — 3.2 L (5W-30); Toyota 3E-E — 3.2 L (5W-30); Toyota 3E-TE — 3.2 L (5W-30); Toyota 4E-FE — 3.2 L (5W-30); Toyota 5E-FE — 3.2 L (5W-30, 5W-40); Toyota 5E-FHE — 3.2 L (5W-30).

Does the Toyota Tercel (Corsa) have a timing belt or chain?

Timing belt: Toyota 1N / 1N-T, Toyota 2E, Toyota 3A, Toyota 3E, Toyota 3E-E, Toyota 3E-TE, Toyota 4E-FE, Toyota 5E-FE and Toyota 5E-FHE. Belts must be replaced on schedule: on many engines a broken belt bends the valves.

Was the Toyota Tercel (Corsa) available with a diesel engine?

Yes: Toyota 1N / 1N-T.

Engine details

Toyota 3A

Toyota 3A

1979–1989 · 1.5 L R4 · petrol · 71–90 hp · belt

This is a carburetor engine and it needs competent carburetor adjustment.

Toyota 2E

Toyota 2E

1984–1999 · 1.3 L R4 · petrol · 65–82 hp · belt

The reason for the unstable operation of the engine is usually in the wrong setting of the carburetor.

Toyota 1N / 1N-T

Toyota 1N / 1N-T

1986–1999 · 1.5 L R4 · diesel · 55–67 hp · belt

Usually the cylinder-piston group wears out here and then the compression drops.

Toyota 3E

Toyota 3E

1986–1994 · 1.5 L R4 · petrol · 79–88 hp · belt

The unstable operation of the motor can usually be eliminated by adjusting the carburetor.

Toyota 3E-E

Toyota 3E-E

1986–1994 · 1.5 L R4 · petrol · 80–90 hp · belt

This unit overheats easily and quickly, so keep an eye on the cooling system.

Toyota 3E-TE

Toyota 3E-TE

1986–1990 · 1.5 L R4 · petrol · 115 hp · belt

This is a fairly rare engine and you will have problems with service and spare parts.

Toyota 4E-FE

Toyota 4E-FE

1989–2001 · 1.3 L R4 · petrol · 80–100 hp · belt

This unit overheats very quickly, the cylinder head gasket breaks here quite often. Even from high temperatures, oil seals tan and flow.…

Toyota 5E-FE

Toyota 5E-FE

1990–2003 · 1.5 L R4 · petrol · 90–105 hp · belt

The most common engine failure is a cylinder head gasket breakdown due to overheating. For the same reason, oil seals tan and…

Toyota 5E-FHE

Toyota 5E-FHE

1990–1999 · 1.5 L R4 · petrol · 110–115 hp · belt

This engine overheats quickly, so keep an eye on the condition of the cooling system.

Models with the same engines

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