On a 2000 Celica GTS does the belt tension automatically adjust or is there a manual adjustment? The belt squeals when you accelerate, but it passes a visual and tactile inspection, so I'm thinking it's a tension issue. (Nevermind on the belt...sheesh that's a painful car to have to work on, looks like you might as well spring for a tensioner and belt as long as you're doing all that labor)

The trans doesn't want to go above 2nd gear when cold. I was going to suggest a trans fluid flush, but it's had one recently. So...piece of grit in the valve body or sticking valve I'm guessing?

 

is the 2nd gear problem only when its cold? not a toyota expert but could that of a bad syncros(spelling)?

 

Yeah, only when cold. It's an automatic btw.

 

The 1.8 liter motor had a tensioner problem. They released a tsb with revised part number's as well as new part's. And yes that motor imo is a pain I hate it with a passion. As for the trans. How many mile's? Is the correct fluid being used? It should take Type 4 T-lV.

 

Tensioner is automatic. They do have issues (as stated above.)

TSB with part numbers is here:
http://www.celicahobby.com/tech/tsb2..._Tensioner.pdf

 

About 101k miles. And yeah, it's got that weird Toyota fluid in it. Well, I would think so since a dealership did it. Not my car you see...

 

I'm afraid to ask whether this is your car or not.

 

LOL, no. I have never regularly driven a vehicle that wasn't either RWD or AWD, and the AWD is just my mom's old car that I use as a beater. Heck, never regularly drove a car with an engine smaller than 3.6 liters either. I can hardly even fit in a Celica.