Wanted: Hijet 1.3 MPV

Hi, I really want a hijet mpv 1.3, is there anybody out there who could possibly help me?

Thanks.

havent got one, but did you see the buyers guide on here?
that might save you some money when you go see one

https://hijet.forumotion.com/t1367-daihatsu-hijet-buyers-guide-a-little-information-for-getting-a-good-one

Thanks for the link. I bought one but wouldnt have if i had followed the guide. The feel of the vehicle plus the unique seating setup was just too good for me to raise issue with its faults. So i took the plunge...

Oh dear blind guide eh? Well I hope it isn't a plunge into Cooling System problems. Come on then. Spill the beans. What have you gone and bought?? Year, condition, mileage, cost. We are waiting for the details

The seating is unusual, and as it suits your needs, is great. The overheating is far more common and can be sorted.

Right well where do we start. The year: 1998. Engine: 993cc. Condition: fair - odd spot of rust here n there the back sunroof needs re mounting as it dislodges from the hinges when opened but is fine when left shut. Generally quite clean n tidy inside n out. Milage: 111000. Cost: an eBay bidding adrenaline fueled £1052. But I'm happy with her. Ive read on here about how people have been making hijet purchases as way below that but over the last couple of months observing the market these things are going for quite alot more when taxed n mot'd. I know ive got my work cut out for me. Driving her home the temp guage stayed left of the middle mark for the first 20 odd mins we spent getting out of London through regular traffic and average 30mph roads. She then over heated on some dual carriage way roads after about 30 mins at higher speeds (for the hijet). I noticed the temp guage move to the right and a fair few mins later the engine light came on so pulled over lifted up the seat to hear the water expansion boiling and see it spitting also there was some steam. After about 10 mins we carried on and she took us back home to north west hertfordshire for the next 30 mins just fine. I am psyching my self up to perform this radiator bleed. Ive got no mechanical experience but here goes... plus this forum is an absolute treasure trove of shared knowledge which gives me hope. As far as I'm concerned these are the best little vehicles in the world so humble in their magnificence. I am looking forward to doing all I can to restore her to her rightful glory.

Am I good to get the frc 74 radiator cap from first line for the 993cc?

Yes indeed. Cheap and cheerful, but don't forget that you need two. On the radiator you may have a plain cap - flat one in other words. Don't worry. Use the FRC 74 on the radiator as well.
I bought one 993cc Hi-Jet where the GARAGE had put the plain cap on the expansion tank under the seat and the owner was told that the Head Gasket had gone and would cost hundreds of pounds to put right. With the plain cap on the Expansion Tank as soon as the engine starts to get warmed up, the water will be pushed straight out of the Expansion Tank.

Naturally I bought it for a song. First thing I check on a Hi-Jet is the condition of the two Radcaps and found a sprung cap FRC74 on the radiator, but when I checked the lower one under the passenger seat - - low and behold - a Plain Cap. So put 2 new 74 caps on it, and it was fine. Nice little profit for £7 worth of Radcaps.

That Al is your starting point. If you get stuck - - start bleating and there will usually be someone around to offer you advice within a few hours, sometimes longer. But it's usually worth the wait.

Thanks Woodie! Two of them ordered and on their way
had a couple of spare moments earlier so took some photos of the view under the passenger seat. The poor thing needs some care. I am planning on getting that front face open in the morning to have a peek...

A new cap won't seal against a rusty surface, best to take metal pipe off & clean seat & ends thoroughly.

Yes don't even try putting the new caps on without cleaning up tha outlet as PFM says. I did use a water tap seat tool from B&Q or Screwfix to get a good clean sealing surface on mine, they are just about the right size. Just don't go mad as that looks quite corroded. Probably needs water completely changing at same time and putting antifreeze in (the red antifreeze is what you want). Think it's needs some TLC before you venture out again.
Tool I Used

Thanks guys just gonna head out to pick up that tap seat tool and some red anti freeze. Also looks like i need a star key to open the front panel on mine!

Star key? Factory fit are 2 orange plastic thumbturns, one in each footwell - look up under dash. Yours may have been modified though - can you post a pic?

Mine had the same mod, riv nuts in bulkhead and two bolts through grille panel to hold it on.

No plastic thumbturns! Here's a photo:

And here she is front end exposed

I'm gonna spend the day tomorrow starting on the good clean up she's long over due. Thinking taking that pipe off and giving it a soak it in vinegar wiĺl be good for the rust...( sorry unsure why the photos are upside down)

There she is looking beautiful...

Im hoping this little switch at the bottom of the radiator here is the plug I should remove to drain it?

Yup, or just remove a hose. While you're at it, best to replace that type of hose-clip with decent qualiry jubilee clips.

Alloy wheels?

Raggy wrote:Alloy wheels?

mira trxx avanzato wheels

If they are the right fitting you'll be making a few jealous!

yes those are 4x110

Nice! Good to hear they are the right fit. They are a bit worse for wear all corroded and beat up though

Pity. Happy to swop for a set of steels if you like?

No thanks Going to see what I can do to restore them... eventually.

So i got that rusty old pipe out


Yikes!!




Into the bath it goes for a soak in bicarb and vinegar.



Does anyone know what the switch at the bottom there is supposed to be for?

You can bet it's for a fan override switch due to the overheating. If it is leave it, useful to have. That pipe and rad cap fitting definitely need a clean up and think shows it's been run without antifreeze. Now you drained it would be worth flushing all the coolant system out I would think.

What happens when you turn it on is the obvious question.
It is the sort of place someone could have installed a cooling fan override switch - - a most necessary piece of equipment on a Hi-Jet in slow moving or stationary traffic.

I may still have a radcap pipe in the store if you end up needing one.