Toyota MR2 VVTi engine help please

[dr.sickman]

1.8 VVTi engine failure. (2001 MR2)

Mate's car. Didn't watch the oil, as he is a clueless moron.

It was completely dry of oil as it happened, and over the course of 2-3 miles, developed a con-rod clatter.

Not knowing about this car much, and not looking =in the engine, I imagine it would need the following:

1. Engine overhaul gasket
2. Connecting rod bearing set
3. Main bearing set
4.Piston ring set
5.Oil filter
6. Connecting rod (maybe 4 pieces)

General questions:

Who can source parts cheaper?
Would it be better/easier/possible to get a replacement/recon en gine?
Anyone in gloucestershire who can do this job on a budget (mate is skint as has baby on the way)?

Many thanks in advance chaps, and a free TVR to the winner

[trickywoo]

dr.sickman said:

Would it be better/easier/possible to get a replacement/recon engine?

If he wants to keep the car yes to all of those.

If hes not too worried about stitching up a buyer he might get away with new big end shells alone. On a lot of cars dropping the sump will give enough access to get at the bearings without taking the engine apart.

[Bibbs]

Wouldn't it be easier to drop the 190 engine in, whole?

I know www.roguesystems.co.uk have done a few 3sGTE swaps too.

I'd see it as a blessing and get a new lump in it.

[crank_case]

Replacement engine is the way to go if you can, preferably with a new engine or one from a later model or the 190 swap. While your at it, either get a pre-cat bypass fitted or have the material removed from the pre-cats. This can break up and kill your engine by getting sucked in, it's a known issue.

[Evil.soup]

Bibbs said:

Wouldn't it be easier to drop the 190 engine in, whole?

I know www.roguesystems.co.uk have done a few 3sGTE swaps too.

I'd see it as a blessing and get a new lump in it.

What he said, it will transform the car into an Elise eater!!

[GravelBen]

Could also be worth asking on the Elise forum as the Toyota-engined Elises share the 189bhp 1.8. Or does the MR2 only get the 140bhp version?

3S-GE or GTE conversion sounds interesting though

[bint]

http://www.tcbparts.co.uk/

Alternatively the Celica owners club as they share the same engine - also what's the age of the MR2? Only some of the earlier engines on the 140 Celica's (which it shares with the MR2) were known to have oil drinking probs and there have been a few recalls/assistance with engines replaced.

Edit - doh! you said 2001 car - in that case - get over to www.celica-club.co.uk and search for the 140 gen7 engines as there maybe some pointers.

Edited by bint on Monday 15th October 18:12

[dr.sickman]

Ta very much so far chaps.

Have spied a 1zz engine for £915. Recon, Here

What do you think?

Or there is just a crankshaft,£270 here
Will he need other bits?

I have no idea which will cost less overall- help? He is interested in selling the car afterwards, so I imagine he just wants to get it fixed competently and as economically as possible.
The car is a 200 MR-S (New Zealand imprt) with a nice paddle-shift box.

So, my questions are:
Which would be the cheaper (but still competent) option?
Is there any hope of getting Toyota to fix it if they have made a duff engine, as people seem to be saying (it's a very common failure, as I gather)?

Many thanbks in advance again

Edited by dr.sickman on Monday 15th October 22:48

[dr.sickman]

Bibbs said:

Wouldn't it be easier to drop the 190 engine in, whole?

I know www.roguesystems.co.uk have done a few 3sGTE swaps too.

I'd see it as a blessing and get a new lump in it.

The 3sGTE fit or the 190 fit (presumably the 2zz)- more hassle to fit in= more cost, no?

[Graeme_Gman]

It is a common problem with those engines. The bores are over oval and burn oil. There is an extended warranty on the engine, but that is for a genuine UK car with full service history. I don't know how they would look on an imported car, so might be worth talking to your nearest Toyota dealer to see what they can do.

[bint]

I don't think the 190 physically fits straight in otherwise they would have done it....... but the 140 can be turbo'd SC'd easily.

Toyota certainly will be able to arrange a replacement engine and fit it for you - at a cost...... I can recommend Ian at Toyauto Centre in Nottingham as he is the guru of all things Toyota

[RobCrezz]

STOP STOP STOP.

It might not have been your mates fault, this is a problem on some mk3 MR2s. My brothers did this aswell and toyota took responsibility and replaced the engine free of charge even out of warranty.

[jaik]

There are a couple of O2 sensors in the exhaust manifold. Take these out and shine a torch inside and check the precats. They should be a nice even honeycomb with no damage.

They have a habit of breaking down in these cars and the bits can get sucked back up into the engine, scoring the bore and obviously causing serious problems! Like others have said, Toyota do offer a 7-year warranty on these engines. If the precats are damaged I'd take it up with them as a known problem and tried to get the engine replaced under warranty.

As for the 190hp 2ZZ swap, yes it fits without much trouble. There is a company round Manchester that does a drive in, drive out swap for about £1200 (plus the cost of the engine and ECU). The 3S-GTE is much more involved but certainly possible.