Just bought a kj laser and have a few questions?

[Lion Slayer]

I just bought myself a 1994 KJ laser 5 speed manual with the 1.8L engine as i needed a little car to run around in as my falcon was using too much fuel, so now i only use that on the weekends.

The laser has done just over 200,000 k's and i just had a few questions as i don't know much about them.

What are they like on fuel, will i get around 500km to a tank. My falcon used to get 17 litres per hundred going to work and back so hopefully its better than that lol. Because on the way home after driving it the fuel guage went from what i think is the 3/4 mark to half after only 125 km of driving, 100 of which was on the highway?

Also my temp guage sits really low while cruising at 100 and only goes up to around a quarter when i start driving in traffic, is that normal?

Cheers

[Russ]

My son had a KH Laser 1.8 EFI and it was a great little car and pretty good on fuel, not sure exactly on the L/100km figure but 500 km + per tank should be achievable especially if you're doing a lot of hwy driving. I wouldn't pay too much attention to the gauges either as I doubt they will be all that accurate. Check and see how well the heater works, if it doesn't then the chances are the thermostat has been removed. Depending on the servicing history of the car (if it has any records) I would recommend a good service, change of filters (oil, air and fuel) new plugs, oil and fluids ( radiator and brake) and even a throttle body clean wouldn't go astray. If you can do it yourself it will obviously be cheaper but if not, try and source the parts yourself and get a reasonably priced mechanic to do the work for you

[Franco Cozzo]

They're Mazda BP engines I think, they should take a Ryco Z436 oil filter, or a Z79A also works.

[galaxy xr8]

I run our little Laser daily and it uses 8-9L/100 in town, I can get 600klm's to a tank, but that is getting it right down so 500 should be a breeze, I allway's run mine down till the red light start's to show which is usually on 500klm on my trip meter from here I know I can do another 100klm before it get's right down.

Don't take to much notice of the gauges as they tend to move quickly from the top and sit on empty for ages.

I am actually selling mine to make way for a new daily, which is a shame as it has been a great little car and very economical considering they are only a 55L tank.

[Lion Slayer]

Thanks guys, i'm going to change all the filters and replace all the fluids. The previous owner had the engine rebuilt not long ago so everything else should be ok.

[Mechan1k]

My Mum's old KF GHIA had an issue where the thermostat stuck open ... and ran cooler ... only noticed the issue once it was Winter though and was harder to start and the heater wasn't working too well.

That was about the only issue (apart from 1 ignition module) in the 14 years of ownership from new.

I should have bought it off her when she eventually let go of it. Had the full Whiteline suspension kit through it ... and drove soooo well even at 14 years old .... used bugger all fuel ... and the 5-speed manual in it was a nice little shifter too.

[Slash04]

I just bought one as a cheap run around too. Its leaking oil on the front lhs of the engine. Under the distributor. According to the previous owners service history, she has had the "o" ring replaced on the distributor twice in the past 5 years. Is this a common source of oil leakage ? Is it an easy job or a specialist job? Any info would be much appreciated, Cheers, Slash04. BA2 ALL GAS.

[Chief Tool]

I used to have one of thsese cars.

9L/100km round town and 7s on the highway is what I used to get.
Not bad considering that I used to put the boot in.

And yeah that temp gauge shouldnt be sitting that low. I'd say the thermostat is stuck open.