MR2 Roadster - A Tale Of Woe, Maybe...
Discussion
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.
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!
Quick update, a few things have happened lately.
Firstly, a couple of months ago the battery gave up so I replaced that.
Then a few weeks later it was replaced again under warranty as it wasn't holding a charge.
Then the alternator gave up, which is quite a fiddly job to change due to its location and involves the removal of the right hand engine mount.
Before that I had to move the charcoal canister and its bracket, and both mounting bolts for the bracket snapped, so that just sort of hangs there now.
And since then the stereo won't switch on and there's an electrical drain somewhere so I've just been pulling the battery earth lead off every time I leave the car for more than an hour or so.
The rear window is making a bid for freedom from the hood.
You can also see the misted windows from all the water that's still in the carpet.
And this morning I went through a huge puddle which ripped the engine undertray front mountings so it then dragged down the road and didn't do it much good!
That's now in the bin so the car is without its 'nappy' as it's known in MR2 circles.
It's slowly dying but keeps on going!
Firstly, a couple of months ago the battery gave up so I replaced that.
Then a few weeks later it was replaced again under warranty as it wasn't holding a charge.
Then the alternator gave up, which is quite a fiddly job to change due to its location and involves the removal of the right hand engine mount.
Before that I had to move the charcoal canister and its bracket, and both mounting bolts for the bracket snapped, so that just sort of hangs there now.
And since then the stereo won't switch on and there's an electrical drain somewhere so I've just been pulling the battery earth lead off every time I leave the car for more than an hour or so.
The rear window is making a bid for freedom from the hood.
You can also see the misted windows from all the water that's still in the carpet.
And this morning I went through a huge puddle which ripped the engine undertray front mountings so it then dragged down the road and didn't do it much good!
That's now in the bin so the car is without its 'nappy' as it's known in MR2 circles.
It's slowly dying but keeps on going!
Edited by Martin350 on Wednesday 15th January 16:42
You're now watching a knackered old car coming to the end of its life, ha! 
I forgot to mention also, the tyres (which are cheap rubbish ones that were on the car when I bought it) are also getting near the legal limit, and this morning I also had a slightly nerve wracking aquaplaning moment mid bend at about 55mph (in a 60 limit) which sent me slightly sideways with oncoming traffic which certainly got my attention!
Its MOT expires mid-April.
I'm in two minds whether to just call it a day on that date or source new tyres and put it through another MOT and run it through the summer.
I can't really see myself going through another winter with it.
If I do end up scrapping it there are some parts which I've replaced relatively recently (rear calipers, alternator, battery) that might be quite handy to keep hold of if I bought another MR2 to replace this one...
I forgot to mention also, the tyres (which are cheap rubbish ones that were on the car when I bought it) are also getting near the legal limit, and this morning I also had a slightly nerve wracking aquaplaning moment mid bend at about 55mph (in a 60 limit) which sent me slightly sideways with oncoming traffic which certainly got my attention!
Its MOT expires mid-April.
I'm in two minds whether to just call it a day on that date or source new tyres and put it through another MOT and run it through the summer.
I can't really see myself going through another winter with it.
If I do end up scrapping it there are some parts which I've replaced relatively recently (rear calipers, alternator, battery) that might be quite handy to keep hold of if I bought another MR2 to replace this one...
Ha, thanks, I've started having a look to see what tyres I could get.
My ex's MR2 was always on Bridgestones and they really inspired confidence in the wet, but a set of those would cost more than my car is worth!
But yes, with the worn out Sonars that are on mine it's like treading on egg shells!
My ex's MR2 was always on Bridgestones and they really inspired confidence in the wet, but a set of those would cost more than my car is worth!
But yes, with the worn out Sonars that are on mine it's like treading on egg shells!
mrtwisty said:
You should have much more choice with the 15's all round.
That is true.I have been keeping an eye on ebay for a set of wheels and tyres, it might be a cheaper way of getting a set that I'll probably only need for less than a year and a couple of thousand miles (this isn't my only car).
B_Tank88 said:
I'm running budget Landsails on the rear (shock horror) and I daily my car in all weathers, and they are honestly fine. In fact I find in the wet the fronts lose grip well before the rears, which are Bridgestones so make of that what you will. I get understeer very quickly when turning sharp in the wet.
Interesting.The understeer in mine is horrendous, and quite annoying sometimes, but then the rear has just as little grip and can be quite hilarious and a lot of fun, even at very low speed.
B_Tank88 said:
OP, why don't you just book the MOT as it is, see how it goes, and then decide? It may be a difficult decision and you still have the parasitic fault to consider.. and the wet carpets wherever that may be from.
I'll probably re-MOT it soon before it expires mid April and see how it goes.For the electrical drain I just need to spend a bit of time with a mate, to pull fuses for me, as I check a multimeter at the battery.
I'm sure the water in the carpets is residual from before I unblocked the drain tubes, it's just not been warm enough lately for them to dry out. They might be ok by about August.
B_Tank88 said:
you may be getting to the point where your's will need some attention.
Haha, it's gone way past that point!Remember, I bought this car nearly four years ago for £922 and quickly sold the hard top for £350, so effectively £572.
It's now a disposable car as far as I'm concerned, but I'd like to enjoy another summer with it.
Toaster Pilot said:
If only you knew someone constantly on the hunt for cheap bangers that could save you the hassle of buying tyres 
This would certainly be more interesting than my Jan or Feb sheds....
Love the colour!
Haha, I don't think my conscience would let me sell this car, there's simply too much wrong with it! This would certainly be more interesting than my Jan or Feb sheds....
Love the colour!
Plus I still love it, and I drive it/park it where I wouldn't be comfortable to in my other cars and not worry about dents, scratches or bits falling off, it's stress free motoring.
I've bookmarked your thread which I shall read tonight with a bottle of red.
Thanks! When I was looking for one of these I only wanted one this colour, I love it too!
stew-STR160 said:
Tyres for the 2. I'm running Toyo R1-R, which I don't think are available anymore. I first ran them on my Elise a decade ago and found them to be great, and still do.
Once they're done, I'm considering Federal 595RS-R. My friend runs them on his 2 all year round.
Thanks for the suggestions.Once they're done, I'm considering Federal 595RS-R. My friend runs them on his 2 all year round.
When this one eventually goes I will quite probably buy another, preferably a facelift car in good condition, and I would want it on at least half decent rubber.
Toaster Pilot said:
I didn’t even know they came in this colour, certainly never seen one!
It's always been my favourite MR2 Roadster colour, it's a shame Toyota dropped it for the facelift models.There used to be another green one around Maidstone but not seen it for at least a year.
danllama said:
Landsail's on the back of my roadster too (cheers PO) and i honestly can't fault them, and i don't drive like miss daisy!
Interesting about the Landsails, again.I just looked online, they're not the cheapest tyre in that size, but by no means the dearest, of course.
I'll keep those in mind then.
I gave the old thing a bit of love today.
The interior, being very damp recently, had started to get a bit of mould forming ?? so gave that quite a thorough clean, replaced a number plate light bulb, polished the headlamp lenses again, polished the exhaust tip, washed it and took it for a drive with the roof down, for the first time in many months, until it started raining 10 minutes in, haha!
In photos, it still doesn't scrub up too bad, if you don't look too closely, ha!
Although putting the hood down and back up again did aggravate the rear screen/hood issue!
And just recently, when I've braked from a low speed, a few times when I've pressed the brake pedal there has been a loud whirring noise and the ABS has kicked in unexpectedly!
Maybe it's that the tyres are, although still legal, very rubbish!?
On my drive today, on a damp road with no traffic around I tested the brakes and the ABS worked fine.
The interior, being very damp recently, had started to get a bit of mould forming ?? so gave that quite a thorough clean, replaced a number plate light bulb, polished the headlamp lenses again, polished the exhaust tip, washed it and took it for a drive with the roof down, for the first time in many months, until it started raining 10 minutes in, haha!
In photos, it still doesn't scrub up too bad, if you don't look too closely, ha!
Although putting the hood down and back up again did aggravate the rear screen/hood issue!
And just recently, when I've braked from a low speed, a few times when I've pressed the brake pedal there has been a loud whirring noise and the ABS has kicked in unexpectedly!
Maybe it's that the tyres are, although still legal, very rubbish!?
On my drive today, on a damp road with no traffic around I tested the brakes and the ABS worked fine.
Edited by Martin350 on Sunday 26th January 23:48
B_Tank88 said:
How much oil does it burn out of interest? Any difference in driving patterns or anything? Mine seems somewhat steady at 1L/1500miles, it's manageable so I'm just living with it and do top ups. Do you see any smoke?
Mine is more like 1L/500 miles! But as it's not my main car I've averaged about 3,000 miles a year in it, so it's no biggie for me.
I don't often drive it hard but when I do I sometimes notice a bit of smoke at full throttle and higher revs - 5,000 rpm or so and above.
danllama said:
I must be bloody lucky, my 2000 on 145k miles isn't burning oil at all, and i check it every other day just in case! Mk3 ownership is basically religious oil checks and headlight polishing.
As to the damp inside, i've recently put a pingi bag in my mk3 and mk2. Seems to have basically stopped any moisture on the interior or windscreen. Should be available on amazon.
Yours must have been looked after better than mine, or maybe had an easier life, or hasn't had a piston taken out and the rings disturbed..?As to the damp inside, i've recently put a pingi bag in my mk3 and mk2. Seems to have basically stopped any moisture on the interior or windscreen. Should be available on amazon.
Haha, yeah, once you polish the headlamp lenses it requires regular re-polishing to keep them smart, but I just use a bit of rubbing compound on a drill mounted sponge pad, so only takes a few minutes (not including washing the car afterwards!
I'd forgotten about those moisture absorbing bag things, I've got one somewhere, I'll have to dig it out!
Lockdown and being furloughed has given me quite a lot of tinkering time on the fleet.
The MR2 has had a little bit of attention.
The rear caliper which I replaced in July finally got painted to match the other three (sorry for another rubbish photo!):
The steering has had a little bit of play in it for a while, and upon investigation last week was found to be the lower steering column U.J., that arrived and was replaced today:
Despite the old part and its clamp bolt being so rusty it all came apart without too much effort, whether my previous soakings in penetrating oil helped with that, I don't know.
The steering is now a bit sharper and makes the car nicer to drive, even though I'm averaging about 10 miles per week at the moment!
The MR2 has had a little bit of attention.
The rear caliper which I replaced in July finally got painted to match the other three (sorry for another rubbish photo!):
The steering has had a little bit of play in it for a while, and upon investigation last week was found to be the lower steering column U.J., that arrived and was replaced today:
Despite the old part and its clamp bolt being so rusty it all came apart without too much effort, whether my previous soakings in penetrating oil helped with that, I don't know.
The steering is now a bit sharper and makes the car nicer to drive, even though I'm averaging about 10 miles per week at the moment!
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