MR2 engine problems
Discussion
Well, first my mum's Punto blows a head gasket, then dad's Volvo does and guess what? Nope, no more head gasket blows, something far more serious :(
My mum's just phoned to ask me to pop home after work to look at my brother's MR2, as apparently it's just gone pop. He was driving to work when he heard a bang and then the engine now rattles badly. He turned it off and stopped to take a look. Nothing obvious so he started it and it does run, but is very noisy.
Anyone hazzard a guess as to what we're looking at? I'm guessing a big end has gone or a rod's dettached or worse :(
Fingers crossed my Polo get's home ok as we seem cursed as a family at the moment!!
My mum's just phoned to ask me to pop home after work to look at my brother's MR2, as apparently it's just gone pop. He was driving to work when he heard a bang and then the engine now rattles badly. He turned it off and stopped to take a look. Nothing obvious so he started it and it does run, but is very noisy.
Anyone hazzard a guess as to what we're looking at? I'm guessing a big end has gone or a rod's dettached or worse :(
Fingers crossed my Polo get's home ok as we seem cursed as a family at the moment!!
Incorrigible said:
DO NOT RUN IT ANYMORE
Already told him that. My Dad towed it home so it's now sitting on the drive. Incorrigible said:He had a look and there's nothing obvious. I'll have a look myself this evening.
First off have a butchers see if anything's hanging off (a mate of mine's MR2 had the crank shaft pully disintegrate, very odd)
Incorrigible said:Will do. That'll be the third head I've had off this year!
if it's internal, do a compression check, any low compression is going to require a head off anyway, and that's a good way to get right in
PS Anyone know of a cheap SW20 engine going spare?
Munter said:Funny you should say that I he asked me to check it last weekend. It looked fine to me, so I don't think that's broke. I'll find out more info this evening.
Just out of interest hows the cambelt? Could be that went bang.... But I dont know if it's an interferance engine or not...
Quick update before I go delving further.
Cambelt fine and engine does actually run and has oil pressure. Rattles like crazy though as if something's knocking about inside it.
Taken rocker cover off and nothing obvious, so it's sump off next to check the bottom end. After that it's engine out
Cambelt fine and engine does actually run and has oil pressure. Rattles like crazy though as if something's knocking about inside it.
Taken rocker cover off and nothing obvious, so it's sump off next to check the bottom end. After that it's engine out
Ok some more info for you.
It's in a Mk2 MR2 G-limited import 1990, SW20 model and is the 3SGE 2lt 16v 157bhp one
It didn't actually go bang, just a kind of loud ping followed by continual rattling. Sounds like a piece of metal is inside the engine. Perhaps a valve has snapped? Although there's nothing obvious from looking at the cams.
I can't get the spark plugs out to check as all my plug sockets are too big, so I'll need to get one tomorrow. Anyone know what size they are?
And finally, if it is a head off job, does anyone know what kind and size of socket is needed for the head bolts? They look like those spline type ones I think.
>> Edited by KITT on Thursday 18th August 19:30
It's in a Mk2 MR2 G-limited import 1990, SW20 model and is the 3SGE 2lt 16v 157bhp one
It didn't actually go bang, just a kind of loud ping followed by continual rattling. Sounds like a piece of metal is inside the engine. Perhaps a valve has snapped? Although there's nothing obvious from looking at the cams.
I can't get the spark plugs out to check as all my plug sockets are too big, so I'll need to get one tomorrow. Anyone know what size they are?
And finally, if it is a head off job, does anyone know what kind and size of socket is needed for the head bolts? They look like those spline type ones I think.
>> Edited by KITT on Thursday 18th August 19:30
Thanks for the tips Ben. I've found out it is indeed a 16mm socket for the spark plugs
I'm not planning on taking the head off unless totally necessary as it's a PITA removing everything to actually do it.
However, from what I gather, it's more likely to be a big end failure, as they're quite common on these engines If that's the case I'll have to see how badly scored the crank is and decide if it's engine swap or re-grind + over sized bearings time.
I'm not planning on taking the head off unless totally necessary as it's a PITA removing everything to actually do it.
However, from what I gather, it's more likely to be a big end failure, as they're quite common on these engines
If that's the case I'll have to see how badly scored the crank is and decide if it's engine swap or re-grind + over sized bearings time. Incorrigible said:
That doesn't make a noise like a rattle though, and you'd lose oil pressure
I've not actually heard the rattle myself as I was lothed to start it, but my brother described it as sounding like a small piece of metal was inside engine (like a valve!). He also mentioned the oil pressure light was not on with the engine running.Incorrigible said:It's going to be a busy weekend!!
Feck knows, best of luck
Well, took the plugs out last night and couldn't see anything. By that I mean you couldn't see a thing! The holes are so small you can only see the tops of the pistons. Couldn't see any debris in there so to the sump.
What a bloody nightmare! The MR2's exhaust goes right under the sump so to get at it you have to remove the middle section of the exhaust. 3 sheared bolts and 4 hours later it was off
The sump shows it's own picture, full of metal filings which are also stuck to the bottom of the oil pick-up
Here's where I start to run out of knowledge as I've not fiddled with a bottom end before. Pistons 2 and three are slightly wobbley on the crank. I've not checked the other two as the engine is hard to rotate by hand and they're at TDC.
Is the wobble normal? I'm guessing not? I've not taken the bottom end caps off yet so I guess that's the next thing so I can see the bearings.
What a bloody nightmare! The MR2's exhaust goes right under the sump so to get at it you have to remove the middle section of the exhaust. 3 sheared bolts and 4 hours later it was off
The sump shows it's own picture, full of metal filings which are also stuck to the bottom of the oil pick-up
Here's where I start to run out of knowledge as I've not fiddled with a bottom end before. Pistons 2 and three are slightly wobbley on the crank. I've not checked the other two as the engine is hard to rotate by hand and they're at TDC.
Is the wobble normal? I'm guessing not? I've not taken the bottom end caps off yet so I guess that's the next thing so I can see the bearings.
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
Gassing Station | Engines & Drivetrain | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff