MR2 engine problems
Discussion
Valve shims are all still in place, so nothing quite so simple 
The bottom ends have indeed gone. Well, I'm assuming it's them, as the sump and oil pickup are covered in metal fillings:
Not looking good!
A bad sign me thinks.
And as you can wobble the big ends on the crank, I've not bothered removing the caps to check the bearings as they've obviously knackered.
So, does anyone have a 3SGE engine going cheap? Or know someone who does?
>> Edited by KITT on Sunday 21st August 17:18
The bottom ends have indeed gone. Well, I'm assuming it's them, as the sump and oil pickup are covered in metal fillings: Not looking good!
A bad sign me thinks.
And as you can wobble the big ends on the crank, I've not bothered removing the caps to check the bearings as they've obviously knackered.
So, does anyone have a 3SGE engine going cheap? Or know someone who does?
>> Edited by KITT on Sunday 21st August 17:18
In case anyone's wondering, we got a new, low milage, engine from a specialist Jap breakers and fitted it over the past couple of weekends. Fun and games that was 
I have never seen so many wires, vacumn pipes, funky brackets etc. The engine along has more wiring on it that my Tiger's entire loom!
Should be ready to start it this weekend (I hope)
And dispite what you might read elsewhere, you can remove the engine and gearbox from the top. That saves trying to get the rear of the car 3 feet off the deck.
>> Edited by KITT on Tuesday 6th September 09:47
I have never seen so many wires, vacumn pipes, funky brackets etc. The engine along has more wiring on it that my Tiger's entire loom! Should be ready to start it this weekend (I hope)
And dispite what you might read elsewhere, you can remove the engine and gearbox from the top. That saves trying to get the rear of the car 3 feet off the deck. >> Edited by KITT on Tuesday 6th September 09:47
stevieturbo said:
Stevieturbo, you know all that without even knowing if it's mk1, mk2 or mk3, or what year/revision it is? You must be good
Generalising MR2 Turbo, GT4. The Turbo engines are a nightmare.
Mid engined cars are backbreaking work due to difficult access.
Take the bootlid off and kneel in the boot while working on it...
Perhaps stating the obvious try www.mr2oc.co.uk - membership is free and theyre a helpful bunch.
>> Edited by paolow on Thursday 18th May 18:00
CHRISSY B said:I know the bloke who runs this site www.mr2turbo.co.uk/ He might be able to offer advice/help
HEY - MY MR2 HAS EXACT SAME PROBLEM - AND ITS AN 'H' REG IMPORT NON-TURBO, DO YOU THINK A NEW ENGINE IS THE ANSWER!! AND OUT OF INTREST WHO-WHERE DID YOU PURCHASE THE ENGINE FROM? - CHEERS
"Low mileage engines from Japan" are often anything but . . . I have heard various horror stories of people buying what they thought was a bargain only to end up with an engine that has got a blown HG, knackered bottom end, bent valves etc, or even just wear and tear from mileage far in excess of what was advertised. One chap even ended up with a lump that had all the cylinder bores full of saltwater from sitting on a dockside too long.
Some of these imported engines are OK, but my advice would be to pull what you've got apart and buy enough new bits to rebuild it (may need new crank, rods) if you want any guarantee at all that the job will last.
Some of these imported engines are OK, but my advice would be to pull what you've got apart and buy enough new bits to rebuild it (may need new crank, rods) if you want any guarantee at all that the job will last.
hey, new to the conversation but what you're experiencing sounds to me like spun bearings. Just encountered this on my friends MR2 yesterday. That's why it's loose on the bottom end, and also why it's very noisy while running. solved the bearing problem and you should be on your way.
just had the same happen to me 
piston no. 2 bottom end shell had picked up and one had ended up on top of the other. Luckily it went pulling off my drive so i just pulled it back on and started stipping it down so because it had only run for about 30 secs while buggered the crank was ok (phew!) new set of shells and about 4 oil changes in one month later it runs ok!! so the moral of the story is if your car starts makin horrible noises, stop and have it recovered staight away!
piston no. 2 bottom end shell had picked up and one had ended up on top of the other. Luckily it went pulling off my drive so i just pulled it back on and started stipping it down so because it had only run for about 30 secs while buggered the crank was ok (phew!) new set of shells and about 4 oil changes in one month later it runs ok!! so the moral of the story is if your car starts makin horrible noises, stop and have it recovered staight away!Have a look at http://forums.twobrutal.com/ - all about doing MR2 engine swaps, everything else is dealing with the added fun of a 3SGTE in a Mk1, or a 3L V6 in a Mk1/2/3... :-)
Edited by Keri on Saturday 24th October 18:46
stevieturbo said:
aldi said:
Stevieturbo, you know all that without even knowing if it's mk1, mk2 or mk3, or what year/revision it is? You must be good 
Generalising MR2 Turbo, GT4. The Turbo engines are a nightmare.
Mid engined cars are backbreaking work due to difficult access.
HGs are not common on them, however big end failure is more common which quite often is due to low oil.
the earlier mr2s hg are more prone to going, rev3 onwards use metal head gaskets and are very strong
jdbecks said:
stevieturbo said:
aldi said:
Stevieturbo, you know all that without even knowing if it's mk1, mk2 or mk3, or what year/revision it is? You must be good
Generalising MR2 Turbo, GT4. The Turbo engines are a nightmare.
Mid engined cars are backbreaking work due to difficult access.
HGs are not common on them, however big end failure is more common which quite often is due to low oil.
the earlier mr2s hg are more prone to going, rev3 onwards use metal head gaskets and are very strong
At every race event I attend where MR2's are present...usually more than one blows up, spewing water all over the track.
I'd say thats enough to call it a common failure. The later versions as you say are much improved. But its most of the engine, not just the head gasket.
Ive had 4 MR2s (Mk1,2 and turbo) and a GT4.
Never had a headgasket problem in 6 years of running them. Turbo and GT4 had mildly uprated boost.
Going too high boost on a rev 1/2 engine is usually the culprit if it happens. Anything over 15 psi on a standard gasket is running a risk.
Not trying to disagree, just thought id add my experience
Never had a headgasket problem in 6 years of running them. Turbo and GT4 had mildly uprated boost.
Going too high boost on a rev 1/2 engine is usually the culprit if it happens. Anything over 15 psi on a standard gasket is running a risk.
Not trying to disagree, just thought id add my experience
Edited by E-one on Monday 26th October 16:31
stevieturbo said:
Every MR2 or GT4 owner Ive known, has blown at least one HG, although usually several.
I've owned one for 6 years and never had an engine issue. I know of nobody who has had a revision 3 3SGTE who has had a HG issue.The Rev2's have a non metal HG, and can fail (more likely with additional boost), but with a MHG are fine.
3SGTE is generally reliable IMHO.
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