MR2 Roadster - A Tale Of Woe, Maybe...
Discussion
Craikeybaby said:
Great stuff!
I'm not sure how I hadn't found this thread before, but I think these are excellent little cars, even doubling or tripling the value of mine I couldn't think what I would replace it with...
I totally agree.I'm not sure how I hadn't found this thread before, but I think these are excellent little cars, even doubling or tripling the value of mine I couldn't think what I would replace it with...
I'll never sell mine, but when it's no longer worth keeping going (I expect the engine to expire or corrosion to take hold eventually) I'll buy another one.
I can't imagine life without one!
Chainsaw Rebuild said:
I was looking at expensive calliper replacement, but instead I sent them to Bigg Red who remanufacture them. It’ was cheaper for me and you can have a choice of colours.
They also sell rebuild kits if you want to diy.
Luckily I work in the car parts business so I got a caliper way cheaper than I normally would have. They also sell rebuild kits if you want to diy.
I bought my very own Mk3 a few weeks ago, to compliment my Mk2 turbo and keep some miles off it, and I wanted to see if they were as much fun to drive as people say. It hasn't been an easy entry to ownership though, finding that the seller had hidden both a cracked sump AND high rpm misfire/issue. The car won't currently rev beyond 5800rpm. I broke all the rules buying it, it's a W reg with 138k miles, but it is in lovely condition, came with a hardtop and drives very, very well. Just wish sellers were honest.
So far I've found water in spark plug well 4, cleared that out, swapped coils 3 and 4, cleared the misfire code, it hasn't come back but the issue persists. I've also cleaned the maf sensor. I'm thinking (hoping) either a dead maf or blocked cat. Precats were removed in 2017. I'll be replacing the sump tomorrow but i'm 99% sure the car is not burning oil. Checked it every day and its only losing what is leaving the sump crack.
Any other ideas what this 5800rpm cut could be? It feels similar to fuel cut in my mk2 turbo.
Besides these issues, it really is a lot of fun to drive, very quick turn in, zingy engine, the brakes inspire confidence. I can't wait to sort the issues and put some miles on it.
Congrats on another MOT!
So far I've found water in spark plug well 4, cleared that out, swapped coils 3 and 4, cleared the misfire code, it hasn't come back but the issue persists. I've also cleaned the maf sensor. I'm thinking (hoping) either a dead maf or blocked cat. Precats were removed in 2017. I'll be replacing the sump tomorrow but i'm 99% sure the car is not burning oil. Checked it every day and its only losing what is leaving the sump crack.
Any other ideas what this 5800rpm cut could be? It feels similar to fuel cut in my mk2 turbo.
Besides these issues, it really is a lot of fun to drive, very quick turn in, zingy engine, the brakes inspire confidence. I can't wait to sort the issues and put some miles on it.
Congrats on another MOT!
Edited by danllama on Tuesday 9th July 20:49
Thanks!
Mine has a big flat spot that seems to be getting worse between about 1,500 and about 2,000 rpm, but mine is quite tired generally!
Sorry to hear you've got problem cramping the enjoyment of your new purchase.
I would've thought that the pressed steel sump must have had a whack to crack it, or someone has removed it in the past and distorted it.
You probably already know but there is no gasket for the sump, so have some decent / suitable RTV or whatever sealer stuff ready.
Water in plug 4's tube, I think, can only be water leaking into the engine bay and finding its way down there.
Could you try unplugging the MAF and see how it runs?
I would go and test mine for you but I've had too much beer to go outside and start up a car on the road now, I could try tomorrow.
My first thoughts on the revving issue were partially blocked cat or a weak fuel pump, but they are purely guesses.
Good luck getting it sorted.
And yeah, they're a great car to drive. Not fast, but they do have a proper sports car feel to them.
Mine has a big flat spot that seems to be getting worse between about 1,500 and about 2,000 rpm, but mine is quite tired generally!
Sorry to hear you've got problem cramping the enjoyment of your new purchase.
I would've thought that the pressed steel sump must have had a whack to crack it, or someone has removed it in the past and distorted it.
You probably already know but there is no gasket for the sump, so have some decent / suitable RTV or whatever sealer stuff ready.
Water in plug 4's tube, I think, can only be water leaking into the engine bay and finding its way down there.
Could you try unplugging the MAF and see how it runs?
I would go and test mine for you but I've had too much beer to go outside and start up a car on the road now, I could try tomorrow.
My first thoughts on the revving issue were partially blocked cat or a weak fuel pump, but they are purely guesses.
Good luck getting it sorted.
And yeah, they're a great car to drive. Not fast, but they do have a proper sports car feel to them.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this thread! I have had my '04 for a month now, I got it for 1400 pounds. I've been dailying it 60 miles a day and it's been great! My only real complaint is the number of squeaks and rattles it has! I bought it with a number of cosmetic issues which I've been slowly working though.
Martin350 said:
Thanks!
Mine has a big flat spot that seems to be getting worse between about 1,500 and about 2,000 rpm, but mine is quite tired generally!
Sorry to hear you've got problem cramping the enjoyment of your new purchase.
I would've thought that the pressed steel sump must have had a whack to crack it, or someone has removed it in the past and distorted it.
You probably already know but there is no gasket for the sump, so have some decent / suitable RTV or whatever sealer stuff ready.
Water in plug 4's tube, I think, can only be water leaking into the engine bay and finding its way down there.
Could you try unplugging the MAF and see how it runs?
I would go and test mine for you but I've had too much beer to go outside and start up a car on the road now, I could try tomorrow.
My first thoughts on the revving issue were partially blocked cat or a weak fuel pump, but they are purely guesses.
Good luck getting it sorted.
And yeah, they're a great car to drive. Not fast, but they do have a proper sports car feel to them.
Thanks. Still not sorted the issue, it basically wont rev past 5800, either moving or sitting still. I'm going to investigate the cat, and somebody else has suggested it may be the crank position sensor. It's all just guessing really. I don't think it's a misfire at all, that seems to have gone since i changed the spark plugs - think it must have been rain water in there.Mine has a big flat spot that seems to be getting worse between about 1,500 and about 2,000 rpm, but mine is quite tired generally!
Sorry to hear you've got problem cramping the enjoyment of your new purchase.
I would've thought that the pressed steel sump must have had a whack to crack it, or someone has removed it in the past and distorted it.
You probably already know but there is no gasket for the sump, so have some decent / suitable RTV or whatever sealer stuff ready.
Water in plug 4's tube, I think, can only be water leaking into the engine bay and finding its way down there.
Could you try unplugging the MAF and see how it runs?
I would go and test mine for you but I've had too much beer to go outside and start up a car on the road now, I could try tomorrow.
My first thoughts on the revving issue were partially blocked cat or a weak fuel pump, but they are purely guesses.
Good luck getting it sorted.
And yeah, they're a great car to drive. Not fast, but they do have a proper sports car feel to them.
The sump - apparently it's common that they corrode and crack. Mine was very rusty on the driver side, which was conveniently hidden by the covers. Might be worth checking yours. Anyway, new sump was £30 on ebay so not too dramatic. But if i hadn't checked, that dishonest seller could have cost me an engine.
Martin350 said:
Thanks!
And congrats on what sounds like a bargain for a facelift car!
Good luck getting the niggles sorted.
So here we go..And congrats on what sounds like a bargain for a facelift car!
Good luck getting the niggles sorted.
Niggles are sorted, and I got to a point where I'm completely happy with it.
Until I checked the condition of the pre-cats just yesterday. Right side is broken.. dipstick was bone dry.
Oh dear..
B_Tank88 said:
Martin350 said:
Thanks!
And congrats on what sounds like a bargain for a facelift car!
Good luck getting the niggles sorted.
So here we go..And congrats on what sounds like a bargain for a facelift car!
Good luck getting the niggles sorted.
Niggles are sorted, and I got to a point where I'm completely happy with it.
Until I checked the condition of the pre-cats just yesterday. Right side is broken.. dipstick was bone dry.
Oh dear..
Martin350 said:
Nice one on getting the niggles fixed.
How do you know is the pre-cat is broken, did you take the oxygen sensor out and saw it was breaking up?
If so, I wouldn't drive it until that's removed or replaced!
And yes, many of them do use some oil, mine is no exception.
Yes, removed 02 sensors and checked. One looked fine, the other had a gaping chunk missing. Worst is I have no idea how long it's been broken for, nor if bore scoring has happened.How do you know is the pre-cat is broken, did you take the oxygen sensor out and saw it was breaking up?
If so, I wouldn't drive it until that's removed or replaced!
And yes, many of them do use some oil, mine is no exception.
When I viewed the car only 3000 miles ago, there was clean oil on the dipstick, probably just under half way up. Now 3000 miles later there was nothing. First thing I did was top the oil up. I had to put in just over 2 litres to hit the full mark on the dipstick.
I am getting the manifold replaced with a catless aftermarket in a couple of days, after that is done I will run it while keeping an eye on the oil consumption. I really hope it's going to be manageable..
What's odd is that the engine runs absolutely fine, good power, revs smooth all the way to redline, sounds absolutely fine, no smoke, nothing. I was genuinely surprised when I saw the pre cat was broken.
My hood has been leaking lately.
During last summer it meant an occasional sponge-out of the cubby bins behind the seats, just lately with a lot of rain it's become a bit more serious.
To the point when the other day I braked at the end of my road and a wave of water went from behind the seat into the drivers' footwell!
This is what it looked like this morning...
And, since this car has already been in shed territory for a long time, this is just after I drilled the first of six holes in the floor to let it out!
But I still love it and will drive it until it dies!
During last summer it meant an occasional sponge-out of the cubby bins behind the seats, just lately with a lot of rain it's become a bit more serious.
To the point when the other day I braked at the end of my road and a wave of water went from behind the seat into the drivers' footwell!
This is what it looked like this morning...
And, since this car has already been in shed territory for a long time, this is just after I drilled the first of six holes in the floor to let it out!
But I still love it and will drive it until it dies!
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff