Toyota MR2 '86
Discussion
Heaveho said:
More than likely a stuck pressure relief valve on the pump, it's a common Toyota thing, and not usually indicative of anything serious. I stopped this on one of my many Corolla GTIs by spraying WD40 up the hole the valve vents from. All I can assume is that it freed off the valve. Worth a try, won't do any harm, and it was a free fix for me.
Well I've got a new pump to go on anyway, it wasn't expensive. I'll certainly have a look at the relief valve when it comes off. I've been told it could be the rubber seal between the pump and the tube that runs under the intake manifold. Thanks for the tipGreat thread! In case anyone hasn't had the pleasure of driving one of these, and is wondering what all the fuss is about, I still miss my old Mk1 Mr2 terribly despite having a beautiful S2 Exige in the garage where it used to sit! It was only rust paranoia that made me sell mine; with standard engine, rebuilt suspension and MR2 Turbo brakes it was an absolute delight to drive.
Exige is better at overtaking though
Exige is better at overtaking though
aww999 said:
Great thread! In case anyone hasn't had the pleasure of driving one of these, and is wondering what all the fuss is about, I still miss my old Mk1 Mr2 terribly despite having a beautiful S2 Exige in the garage where it used to sit! It was only rust paranoia that made me sell mine; with standard engine, rebuilt suspension and MR2 Turbo brakes it was an absolute delight to drive.
Exige is better at overtaking though
It really is a secret to how much fun these are. People that have never had a go, just let it pass them by. Those who I bump into who had one, wax lyrical to me about theirs. Gets a lot of thumbs up from people!Exige is better at overtaking though
I'd love an S2 Elise, certainly got a bit more poke! That's part of the MR2 charm, all that mid-engine character at low speeds
I got the water pump changed yesterday, but it's been too cold to want to go outside and bleed the system. It's snowed like buggery over here
Sillyhatday said:
I'd love an S2 Elise, certainly got a bit more poke! That's part of the MR2 charm, all that mid-engine character at low speeds
I've got a 400 brake Evo and a Boxster S, but there's something about my MR2 that makes it a special thing to own. It feels dreadfully slow these days, but I couldn't care less! It's one of the most tactile things I've ever owned.Sillyhatday said:
As it happens, I bought myself a Boxster S last night! I'll get a thread up when I get it
I'm on my third, didn't bond at all with the first one, bought the second one as a Cat D repairable and sold it before I got the chance to drive it, had this one for 2 years, and love it. I only bought it as it was cheap, and I thought I might make something on it, but I've hung on against all odds! It's much better than I thought it would be.Heaveho said:
Sillyhatday said:
I'd love an S2 Elise, certainly got a bit more poke! That's part of the MR2 charm, all that mid-engine character at low speeds
I've got a 400 brake Evo and a Boxster S, but there's something about my MR2 that makes it a special thing to own. It feels dreadfully slow these days, but I couldn't care less! It's one of the most tactile things I've ever owned.AW111 said:
I've got the 160 hp (blacktop) engine in mine, and while it's no rocket ship, it's plenty fast enough for fun.
160 brake? Are we still talking about the MR2?Ah, I just got mixed up with who's who, thought I was responding to the op! My mistake, sorry.
Edited by Heaveho on Tuesday 20th March 13:04
Heaveho said:
AW111 said:
I've got the 160 hp (blacktop) engine in mine, and while it's no rocket ship, it's plenty fast enough for fun.
160 brake? Are we still talking about the MR2?I don't want to derail SHD's thread, but it's the last generation 4AGE 1.6, which came out of a JDM Corolla (along with the 6 speed box and LSD).
I have a readers cars thread on it somewhere here.
Heaveho said:
I'm on my third, didn't bond at all with the first one, bought the second one as a Cat D repairable and sold it before I got the chance to drive it, had this one for 2 years, and love it. I only bought it as it was cheap, and I thought I might make something on it, but I've hung on against all odds! It's much better than I thought it would be.
Good to hear you enjoy it. I've always been into Japanese stuff, so I've no idea what to expect! You know how it is browsing eBay. This one come up local and in good nick!On topic I've got a small update for this thread once I get time.
Sillyhatday said:
Good to hear you enjoy it. I've always been into Japanese stuff, so I've no idea what to expect! You know how it is browsing eBay. This one come up local and in good nick!
On topic I've got a small update for this thread once I get time.
I'm just the same, I only tend to be interested in Jap stuff but I bought a Corrado VR6 many years ago, and it gave me such a financial kicking that I vowed never to stray again. Time's a great healer though, hope I don't regret it.On topic I've got a small update for this thread once I get time.
Really enjoying the thread.
Had 2 Mk 1's; a 1988 one in red which replaced a CRX Wedge and I spun at 30mph in the damp on the Wolverhampton ring road in 1992 and a mica blue one that I had in 1994 and I still miss. I changed it for a 306S16 because I convinced myself I need more seats and regretted it immediately not that the Pug was a bad car but the MR2 had so much character.
This thread has made me start looking again and I will have another before I'm too old to enjoy it!
NB. Some time later took my Mk2 MR2 to France on holiday then realised how unfortunate the name is if pronounced in french.
Had 2 Mk 1's; a 1988 one in red which replaced a CRX Wedge and I spun at 30mph in the damp on the Wolverhampton ring road in 1992 and a mica blue one that I had in 1994 and I still miss. I changed it for a 306S16 because I convinced myself I need more seats and regretted it immediately not that the Pug was a bad car but the MR2 had so much character.
This thread has made me start looking again and I will have another before I'm too old to enjoy it!
NB. Some time later took my Mk2 MR2 to France on holiday then realised how unfortunate the name is if pronounced in french.
pointedstarman said:
Really enjoying the thread.
Had 2 Mk 1's; a 1988 one in red which replaced a CRX Wedge and I spun at 30mph in the damp on the Wolverhampton ring road in 1992 and a mica blue one that I had in 1994 and I still miss. I changed it for a 306S16 because I convinced myself I need more seats and regretted it immediately not that the Pug was a bad car but the MR2 had so much character.
This thread has made me start looking again and I will have another before I'm too old to enjoy it!
NB. Some time later took my Mk2 MR2 to France on holiday then realised how unfortunate the name is if pronounced in french.
MR2 wasn't called that in France Had 2 Mk 1's; a 1988 one in red which replaced a CRX Wedge and I spun at 30mph in the damp on the Wolverhampton ring road in 1992 and a mica blue one that I had in 1994 and I still miss. I changed it for a 306S16 because I convinced myself I need more seats and regretted it immediately not that the Pug was a bad car but the MR2 had so much character.
This thread has made me start looking again and I will have another before I'm too old to enjoy it!
NB. Some time later took my Mk2 MR2 to France on holiday then realised how unfortunate the name is if pronounced in french.
Such a fun car, I grin my face in half every time I drive it
Prices are going up, get back into one now!So small update, got the water pump changed over the weekend. A simple job, no troubles! I knew the pump had been changed in the past but was unsure about the quality of the job. So nothing like doing yourself to be sure.
Old pump out and on the floor next to the new one. The old on had a touch of surface rust on the blades but nothing of concern. The bearing was still tight, like new. Only problem really was the amount of silicone used on the gasket face.
A really awkward position to photograph, but the face got cleaned up on the engine and the insides were lovely and clean. No gunk or debris to be seen.
Rear offside still looking good after the resto.
Thats it really for now. There's a few other jobs I want to get done as there always is. Hoping this weather clears off so it can get some use!
I got this buttoned up now. On Sunday I used my new torque wrench to do up the crank pulley. I won it on ebay for £10 new in box
Shoved the undertrays back on and with the great weather, decided to use it to pick up the log book for the Boxster. Killing two birds and all that by, testing the new pump out and running an errand in it.
Still more fun than the Boxster. I went to work in it today, it was lovely. I pulled the MR2 out the garage this evening, I was smiling before I even got all the way out the garage
Shes certainly a keeper.
Shoved the undertrays back on and with the great weather, decided to use it to pick up the log book for the Boxster. Killing two birds and all that by, testing the new pump out and running an errand in it.
Still more fun than the Boxster. I went to work in it today, it was lovely. I pulled the MR2 out the garage this evening, I was smiling before I even got all the way out the garage
Shes certainly a keeper.
AW111 said:
Good work.
How do you stop the crank turning when doing up the pulley? I ended up making a special tool.
I forgot to reply to this! I stuck the car a high gear and put the handbrake on as hard as possible. Along with a strategically positioned screwdriver, it made it easy How do you stop the crank turning when doing up the pulley? I ended up making a special tool.
No leaks as of yet, there hasn't been any puddles appearing in the garage. I got myself a dual action polisher after all the years I've said I'll get one. Not an expensive thing. Patience, forward thinking and patience is required. Luckily I'm quite a patient person.
I've got a few comparison videos to upload to youtube, but my upload speeds are fiercely slow. My biggest worry is leaving detailers signature behind. Cutting away the clear coat doesn't take much skill, it's the final finish! I spent 5 hours on the bonnet this afternoon. Lots of thinking, cleaning pads and stopping to headbang to planet rock. One day I'll grow up...
So while I've got half an hour until my weekend kicks off none stop until Monday, here's some progress and testing that has been done to the poor MR2.
Just got myself the new DA polisher, so the only pads I've got are the ones that come with the polisher, which are 6 inch. They're only much good for the larger panels so as not to hit peaces of trim in the more intricate areas. Handily as I was packing up this morning the 5 inch pads turned up
For the even tighter places I have a rotary with 4 inch pads. The DA needs some smaller backing plates to get smaller pads to fit, but I've spend enough this last few weeks. So a few pictures and once the job is done, I'll go into a little more detail for anyone who's interested.
Pictures are difficult to show the results very well. The paint was a lot worse than it looks!
Before
After
As the sun popped its nose out, I went the long way around for some petrol and frog tape in the Boxster. So by Monday, I've got everything I need to get it finished on my week off.
Wish me luck
Just got myself the new DA polisher, so the only pads I've got are the ones that come with the polisher, which are 6 inch. They're only much good for the larger panels so as not to hit peaces of trim in the more intricate areas. Handily as I was packing up this morning the 5 inch pads turned up
For the even tighter places I have a rotary with 4 inch pads. The DA needs some smaller backing plates to get smaller pads to fit, but I've spend enough this last few weeks. So a few pictures and once the job is done, I'll go into a little more detail for anyone who's interested.
Pictures are difficult to show the results very well. The paint was a lot worse than it looks!
Before
After
As the sun popped its nose out, I went the long way around for some petrol and frog tape in the Boxster. So by Monday, I've got everything I need to get it finished on my week off.
Wish me luck
That's been an excellent read. Car looks fabulous, always had a soft spot for them since having a Matchbox model of one when I was a kid!
Love that you've taken the time and effort to restore original parts (alternator repair, plating bolts etc) rather than simply replacing them.
Noticed you nearly bought an old B series Dodge truck, now they're a rare thing. I've got a '56 C series which is undergoing a very very slow restoration. The trouble with old Dodges is getting hold of parts, some things (particularly steering and brake parts) just don't exist other than the odd piece of hideously expensive new old stock. So it's required a very similar approach to your MR2 of restoring or repairing as many of the original bits as possible. Time consuming but very satisfying!
Love that you've taken the time and effort to restore original parts (alternator repair, plating bolts etc) rather than simply replacing them.
Noticed you nearly bought an old B series Dodge truck, now they're a rare thing. I've got a '56 C series which is undergoing a very very slow restoration. The trouble with old Dodges is getting hold of parts, some things (particularly steering and brake parts) just don't exist other than the odd piece of hideously expensive new old stock. So it's required a very similar approach to your MR2 of restoring or repairing as many of the original bits as possible. Time consuming but very satisfying!
Edited by Jonny_ on Saturday 14th April 22:45
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