MR2 Roadster - A Tale Of Woe, Maybe...
Discussion
Update time!
I had a few hours on it tonight and it all came together much quicker than I expected.
It only bloomin' jolly well goes!
After a slightly worrying ten minutes or so of heavy smoking and burning oily smells from the inside and outside of the exhaust it all cleared, water level stabilised, temperature came up but didn't go too high. I've only driven it about five miles (I was running late to meet up with some mates) and it all seems good!
I'm going to check fluid levels and give it another oil and filter change if necessary (remembering it has had water in the oil due to my error) and if all is well I should be able to start using it in the next couple of days.
I've not had the hardtop off yet so I'm keen to check the condition of the hood and get the roof down when we get some sunshine.
Thanks for all the words of encouragement, it really is appreciated, and I'll let you know how it goes from here.
I had a few hours on it tonight and it all came together much quicker than I expected.
It only bloomin' jolly well goes!
After a slightly worrying ten minutes or so of heavy smoking and burning oily smells from the inside and outside of the exhaust it all cleared, water level stabilised, temperature came up but didn't go too high. I've only driven it about five miles (I was running late to meet up with some mates) and it all seems good!
I'm going to check fluid levels and give it another oil and filter change if necessary (remembering it has had water in the oil due to my error) and if all is well I should be able to start using it in the next couple of days.
I've not had the hardtop off yet so I'm keen to check the condition of the hood and get the roof down when we get some sunshine.
Thanks for all the words of encouragement, it really is appreciated, and I'll let you know how it goes from here.
familyguy1 said:
i'm missed a post somewhere, what was the cause and how did you resolve it OP ? thanks
great work BTW
Thanks.great work BTW
I think you must have missed quite a few posts, but i did ramble on a bit!
The cause of the spark plug failure will, I think, remain a mystery.
The knocking noise was a bit of the broken plug making contact with the piston and cylinder head.
It was resolved by taking the cylinder head off and removing the debris. Very lucky that there is no real apparant damage other than very small surface marks.
Deerfoot said:
Great result OP, just in time for summer too.
Ta.I took the hardtop off yesterday evening and had a look at the hood for the first time.
It's actually in very good condition, so was chuffed with that.
I drove it around a bit last night and brought it into work today, all seems good so far!
Something weird has happened to the formatting on my pc so it's become much less easy to read, navigate and post on here, but I'll try for an update...
It's been running great. I've changed the clutch fluid which was quite a dark colour, and the gearbox oil. Then it went straight through its M.O.T. this week, with no advisories!
I've been quite busy cleaning it, painting a few bits and tidying things up;
Still got quite a bit of cleaning to do, mostly the hood and the interior, but it's coming along.
It's been running great. I've changed the clutch fluid which was quite a dark colour, and the gearbox oil. Then it went straight through its M.O.T. this week, with no advisories!
I've been quite busy cleaning it, painting a few bits and tidying things up;
Still got quite a bit of cleaning to do, mostly the hood and the interior, but it's coming along.
Edited by Martin350 on Saturday 25th June 00:02
It's just the cam cover that I've painted.
And to be honest, it looks brighter in the photo than it really does.
I went over it with a wire brush in a drill and sprayed it with VHT silver paint, it's far from perfect but it did come out better than I expected it would.
The plastic cover, I just went over it with a damp cloth, then some Autoglym bumper care gell.
And to be honest, it looks brighter in the photo than it really does.
I went over it with a wire brush in a drill and sprayed it with VHT silver paint, it's far from perfect but it did come out better than I expected it would.
The plastic cover, I just went over it with a damp cloth, then some Autoglym bumper care gell.
Edited by Martin350 on Saturday 25th June 02:34
I've heard good things about Renovo hood cleaner stuff before, so I might well give it a go, thanks.
I must be honest and say yeah, I am a bit proud of how the car has turned out.
It's taken a lot of hours but I do stand there and look it now with a sense of satisfaction, even more so when driving it!
I must be honest and say yeah, I am a bit proud of how the car has turned out.
It's taken a lot of hours but I do stand there and look it now with a sense of satisfaction, even more so when driving it!
Sorry for the late response.
The Renovo sets are quite expensive. Does anyone know how many hoods it's possible to do with one kit (I know they vary in size, but from your experience)?
Only it could be worth it as I've got another small 2-seater soft top coming soon!
A 1979 MG Midget in fact, but I'll start another thread for that when I collect it.
As for the MR2, it's going well, and I've been enjoying plenty of commutes with the top down in the recent fine weather.
I've cleaned up the very slightly cloudy headlamp lenses.
I still need to give the interior a good going over and treat the leather seats and get a little paint work done.
The Renovo sets are quite expensive. Does anyone know how many hoods it's possible to do with one kit (I know they vary in size, but from your experience)?
Only it could be worth it as I've got another small 2-seater soft top coming soon!
A 1979 MG Midget in fact, but I'll start another thread for that when I collect it.
As for the MR2, it's going well, and I've been enjoying plenty of commutes with the top down in the recent fine weather.
I've cleaned up the very slightly cloudy headlamp lenses.
I still need to give the interior a good going over and treat the leather seats and get a little paint work done.
Cheers!
My mate who lives directly opposite me has a Mk2 Turbo which I've done some work on.
Alternators are, errm, interesting to replace!
Yeah, major engine work does look like it would be a bit of a pain on one of those.
Since my last update on this thread I have replaced the MAF sensor which rectified a slight sluggishness / hesitation at low revs, and fitted new front discs and pads.
In june it failed the M.O.T. on inefficient handbrake, a common issue on these, so I fitted new handbrake cables, rear pads and a rear caliper.
A few weeks ago I gave it an oil & filter change and a general check-over, I'd done about 6k miles in it by then.
There are a couple of issues though, the engine uses quite an alarming amount of oil (again, a common issue with worn cylinder bores) and the clutch release bearing has been making a right old racket for nearly a year now. I might put a new clutch in it when the weather is warm.
But I'm still using it most days and still thoroughly enjoying it.
My mate who lives directly opposite me has a Mk2 Turbo which I've done some work on.
Alternators are, errm, interesting to replace!
Yeah, major engine work does look like it would be a bit of a pain on one of those.
Since my last update on this thread I have replaced the MAF sensor which rectified a slight sluggishness / hesitation at low revs, and fitted new front discs and pads.
In june it failed the M.O.T. on inefficient handbrake, a common issue on these, so I fitted new handbrake cables, rear pads and a rear caliper.
A few weeks ago I gave it an oil & filter change and a general check-over, I'd done about 6k miles in it by then.
There are a couple of issues though, the engine uses quite an alarming amount of oil (again, a common issue with worn cylinder bores) and the clutch release bearing has been making a right old racket for nearly a year now. I might put a new clutch in it when the weather is warm.
But I'm still using it most days and still thoroughly enjoying it.
When she had hers the radiator in my o/h's MR2 corroded until it leaked, maybe it's another common thing with them.
How unfortunate, but if yours is a pre-facelift then the later Celica engine will have the newer style pistons and rings which aid lubrication and help prevent the bores wearing, and 46k is nothing for one of those!
Re. the crabbing under braking, have you checked to see if you have a partially seized caliper piston or slider pin?
How unfortunate, but if yours is a pre-facelift then the later Celica engine will have the newer style pistons and rings which aid lubrication and help prevent the bores wearing, and 46k is nothing for one of those!
Re. the crabbing under braking, have you checked to see if you have a partially seized caliper piston or slider pin?
bearman68 said:
Thanks for the tip - it's not actually crabbing under braking, but during gear changes. I guess it could still be a partially seized caliper. I actually have a pair of brand new calipers, discs and pads sat on the shelf waiting to go on, so getting my arse in gear and doing that would be a good first start.
These cars are great, I know small changes in the tracking will result in this small change in direction, but I've never felt it on another car. I can usually feel if the tyres are a bit down on pressure such is the precise feel of the car. (And normally, exactly how deep the pot hole is, and what grade steel the drain covers are made from)
No probs.These cars are great, I know small changes in the tracking will result in this small change in direction, but I've never felt it on another car. I can usually feel if the tyres are a bit down on pressure such is the precise feel of the car. (And normally, exactly how deep the pot hole is, and what grade steel the drain covers are made from)
But I'm sorry, I can't give a definite answer to that problem, I've never experienced that on my MR2 or any other car.
I guess it could still be a brake binding issue, or maybe a a worn engine / gearbox mount..? I am guessing here, though.
Haha, I do agree, the feeling you get from the steering in these cars is fantastic.
That, as well as the gear change action, the turn in and adjustability makes them feel like a proper little sports car for very little money.
I thought I'd give a little update as a bit has gone on and I had a bit of M.O.T. luck!
I knew the handbrake wasn't great and before the M.O.T. so I checked it out and found that the left hand cable was seized.
I fitted a new cable (a bit of a faff, you have to drop the fuel tank down), tried it, and all felt good.
During the test the guy doing the test called his mate over to operate the handbrake from inside while he looked at the caliper, so I immediately knew he'd spotted a problem.
He then put the back wheels in the rollers and the left hand recorded nothing at all!
We were both surprised, so he tested it again, and also got no reading.
He then put the front wheels in the rollers and tested those, nothing on the left hand side.
Their left hand roller had broken, so he passed it!
He did mention corrosion on the front chassis rails so, as it's been the driest two weeks ever, I decided to treat these today with a rub down and sprayed them with a schutz gun.
The outer body is starting to get a little bit ropey, particularly on the right hand front arch,
The right hand rear arch,
And I did have a bit of an accident with a jack and the left hand rear sill / rear quarter a couple of weeks ago,
This car really is a very tired and tatty example of this model, but its purchase cost to me is effectively £572.
I've spent £568.19 on parts for repairs / servicing in two years (largely due to the unfortunate spark plug incident when I first bought it) and I'm hoping that I'll get another economical year out of it.
I won't ever sell this car, I'm going to keep it going as long as I can, and despite all its faults, I still f
king love it!
I knew the handbrake wasn't great and before the M.O.T. so I checked it out and found that the left hand cable was seized.
I fitted a new cable (a bit of a faff, you have to drop the fuel tank down), tried it, and all felt good.
During the test the guy doing the test called his mate over to operate the handbrake from inside while he looked at the caliper, so I immediately knew he'd spotted a problem.
He then put the back wheels in the rollers and the left hand recorded nothing at all!
We were both surprised, so he tested it again, and also got no reading.
He then put the front wheels in the rollers and tested those, nothing on the left hand side.
Their left hand roller had broken, so he passed it!
He did mention corrosion on the front chassis rails so, as it's been the driest two weeks ever, I decided to treat these today with a rub down and sprayed them with a schutz gun.
The outer body is starting to get a little bit ropey, particularly on the right hand front arch,
The right hand rear arch,
And I did have a bit of an accident with a jack and the left hand rear sill / rear quarter a couple of weeks ago,
This car really is a very tired and tatty example of this model, but its purchase cost to me is effectively £572.
I've spent £568.19 on parts for repairs / servicing in two years (largely due to the unfortunate spark plug incident when I first bought it) and I'm hoping that I'll get another economical year out of it.
I won't ever sell this car, I'm going to keep it going as long as I can, and despite all its faults, I still f
king love it! Edited by Martin350 on Saturday 7th July 19:37
Oh, that sounds expensive!
I think rear calipers aren't cheap for these..?
Most of the suspension and steering stuff on mine is quite heavily corroded, it's not pretty underneath!
Glad yours is sorted, though, they are a lot of fun, and I've been loving it in this great weather recently too!
My first guess on your noise would be a front wheel bearing, but it is just a guess.
I think rear calipers aren't cheap for these..?
Most of the suspension and steering stuff on mine is quite heavily corroded, it's not pretty underneath!
Glad yours is sorted, though, they are a lot of fun, and I've been loving it in this great weather recently too!
My first guess on your noise would be a front wheel bearing, but it is just a guess.
Edited by Martin350 on Sunday 8th July 21:20
This hot weather we've been having recently has made me really enjoy my heap of rubbish MR2 all the more, the roof has hardly been up!
As the weather forecast is favourable for the foreseeable future I've given it a bit of love over the last two days: a really good clean inside and out, headlamp lens polish, exhaust tip polish, black trim treatment etc.
I'm loving the summer and this tired old car!
As the weather forecast is favourable for the foreseeable future I've given it a bit of love over the last two days: a really good clean inside and out, headlamp lens polish, exhaust tip polish, black trim treatment etc.
I'm loving the summer and this tired old car!
It's been about ten months, and only 2,000 miles, since I've updated. There's not been much to report, really.
A new pair of front anti roll bar links, wiper blades, plenty of oil top-ups, and last month the battery finally died.
It's not been my main car but I still enjoy using it for commuting on a warm day, shopping, town etc.
This evening I started it up, just to move it out of the way of another car, and the engine was very lumpy and sounded like it was running on three cylinders.
The engine light came on so I plugged my code reader into it and it told me misfire on cylinder four.
If you see the first page of this thread, you'll know about cylinder four!
With great anticipation, and after just 9,000 miles, I removed plug four...
This is not a healthy engine!!
The regular oil top-ups was a bit of a clue!
Anyway, I checked the other plugs (not too bad) I cleaned that plug and put it back in (I had to move the car again),
And it ran fine, but I'll put a new set in this weekend.
Also, last year when it was being M.O.T.d, I had a bit of luck.
The handbrake works very well, but when they were testing it they noticed that the left hand one was barely moving the lever on the caliper.
Then their brake testing roller broke down, so they couldn't finish testing it and passed it!
As its M.O.T. is coming up I thought I'd change the (rather expensive!) rear caliper.
It comes with a new carrier as the top slider pin is built into it.
This is one of my caliper carrier bolts now!
Got a nice drilling and tapping job coming up there!
Oh, and all four tyres are just about done!
Oh, and someone vandalised the electric aerial one night and now it's stuck partly up!
A new pair of front anti roll bar links, wiper blades, plenty of oil top-ups, and last month the battery finally died.
It's not been my main car but I still enjoy using it for commuting on a warm day, shopping, town etc.
This evening I started it up, just to move it out of the way of another car, and the engine was very lumpy and sounded like it was running on three cylinders.
The engine light came on so I plugged my code reader into it and it told me misfire on cylinder four.
If you see the first page of this thread, you'll know about cylinder four!
With great anticipation, and after just 9,000 miles, I removed plug four...
This is not a healthy engine!!
The regular oil top-ups was a bit of a clue!
Anyway, I checked the other plugs (not too bad) I cleaned that plug and put it back in (I had to move the car again),
And it ran fine, but I'll put a new set in this weekend.
Also, last year when it was being M.O.T.d, I had a bit of luck.
The handbrake works very well, but when they were testing it they noticed that the left hand one was barely moving the lever on the caliper.
Then their brake testing roller broke down, so they couldn't finish testing it and passed it!
As its M.O.T. is coming up I thought I'd change the (rather expensive!) rear caliper.
It comes with a new carrier as the top slider pin is built into it.
This is one of my caliper carrier bolts now!
Got a nice drilling and tapping job coming up there!
Oh, and all four tyres are just about done!
Oh, and someone vandalised the electric aerial one night and now it's stuck partly up!
Edited by Martin350 on Wednesday 12th June 00:03
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.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff