Hi All

I have an 2002 MR2 with no mods and just failed the NCT for 'worn axle and wishbone bushes' on the left rear and a 'high idle CO2 of .40%' when a .30% is required to pass. Just dropped it into a mechanic recommended through a friend and he's telling me the car is a lost cause and needs a new engine. I've owned it for 6 months now and have never had a problem but it does eat oil - 1 litre per 1000 miles - yet there is never any blue smoke.

If there's anyone who reads this and knows what they are doing and can give me a second opinion - please help. I'm happy to bring it anywhere.

Thank You,

Matthew
matthew.patrick.kelleher@gmail.com
0851259945

NCT result:
_KUNENA_BBCODE_HIDEIMG

Hi Matthew

That does seem quite high oil consumption.

If there are no oil leaks then the main suspects would be worn cylinders, piston rings or valve seals.

Did the car come with any Toyota service history ?

Hi Marty

Thank you for the quick reply. It has a fully service history and the previous NCT it was on the reading was at .06% at high idle...so something has gone really wrong I presume.

Hi Matthew, what sort of mileage is on the car?

VVTi engines from that era are notorius for burning oil, but the good news is it's more than likely only the valve stem seals as Marty said already. There would be blue smoke coming from the exhaust all the time if it was the piston rings/scored cylinders so i wouldn't be scrapping it just yet.

Edit: apparently 1 litre/1000 miles is considered within normal levels of oil consumption for these engines by Toyota themselves. Google VVTi oil consumption and all will be revealed! Seems like a cop out by Toyota...

Wow 1litre/1000 miles still seams a lot to me.

My 3SGTE hardly used any oil after 5000 miles.

Marty J wrote:
Wow 1litre/1000 miles still seams a lot to me.

My 3SGTE hardly used any oil after 5000 miles.

exact same here Marty, seems this issue cropped up with VVTi

if you followed the servicing schedule you'd run out of oil between services!

Thanks Guys. Can you recommend a mechanic anywhere near Dublin you trust? I've only lived here for a few years and don't have a go-to guy.

Only 1 man I would trust with a car ... Martin Wallace 085 2711477

The new MR2 MK3 was built using the 1ZZ-FE.

If the car is pre 2003 it will have the fatal piston ring design associated with the 1999-2002 vvti engines. The reason your car uses so much oil is that the pistons have too few oil drainage holes behind the piston rings.

Over time these holes become blocked with tiny sediments from oil.
Once these holes are blocked the oil has no where to drain and sits on / in the piston itself.
With the high engine temp this trapped oil is then burnt off.

These are the holes on my Corolla build 1ZZ-FE pistons after cleaning.

_KUNENA_BBCODE_HIDEIMG

Before they looked something like this.

_KUNENA_BBCODE_HIDEIMG

The early 1.4 and 1.6 vvti engines suffered this issue.
But the 1.8 1ZZ-FE was by farrrr the worst.

To permanently solve the issue you'll need to replace the pistons for 2003 -> 2006 vvti versions. These were completely redesigned with 4 to 6 large oil drainage holes.

Or else go engine swap, which is what folks do if they don't like tinkering with the internals.

To slowdown the burning I recommend a few things:

- Use Diptane in your engine regularly. (10e for a litre that ill last 6 months)
- Use 10w40 engine oil as it's thicker.
- Top off oil changes with RedEx oil treatment (7euro)

I wouldn't recommend these things unless I did them myself.
I promise that they do make a difference of 30 -> 50% less oil burning.

Rex you have KC for that insightful post.

Thanks.

Although...
insightful....

or long winded

You'd easily know I was a huge vvti fan.

some really good info there! Can't see the KC buttons in work so i'll have to get ya when i'm at home

Actually have a 00 corolla at home i'm working on at the moment, parents bought it brand new (only car they ever bought brand new) and has gone through being owned by a few of my brothers and sisters, finally made it's way down the line to me (hand-me-downs aren't just clothes in this family!).

It's burning a lot of oil so might just swap out the pistons and rings for the newer ones as suggested if i decide to keep it. Last thing i need is another car but the sentimental value means it will be hard to part with

If you decide to go down the option of new pistons, these are the 2003+ bad boys you want.

Much better design:

_KUNENA_BBCODE_HIDEIMG

If you wanted a nippy daily driver you can convert these really easily to a 4ZZ / 1ZZ hybrid.

My 1.4 vvti Corolla is hitting just shy of 120HP on the dyno at the moment :)
... not MR2 pace, but certainly a powerful little car able to easily contend with Civics and TDIs. :laugh:

that's great Rex, have you a thread on TOC for this? might have a look as we've somewhat derailed Matthews post!

Hope you get sorted Matthew, i'm not from Dublin so i wouldn't know any mechanics up there, maybe Japohara's suggestion may be worth talking to

Agreed. Sorry Matthew.

Bommie you have a PM comng.

Great write up Rex.

KC +1.



I'm sure matt won't mind the extra info.

@ Matt, best of luck with the repairs.

Or a 2zz conversion??

cars.donedeal.ie/carparts-for-sale/toyot...ing/8104551?offset=1