Rattle From Engine When Warmed Up & Oil Light On

[crazypierre]

Hi

I am new to this forum and hope somebody can point me in the right direction.

I have a 2001 Avensis, 1.8vvti auto with 125K on the clock

Starts up fine and the engine sounds really sweet. After a few minutes, the oil warning light starts to flicker. Then as the engine warms up further, a nasty rattle from the engine is heard. The oil warning light stays on constantly by this time.

The rattle increases as you increase the revs, but disappears at idle.

The car has had regular oil changes and generally been well looked after.

Has plenty of oil in it.

Has anyone seen this before and can you advise what might be causing this?

Obviously, I am not using the car with this problem. I plan to take the rocker cover off and the sump to see if I can see anything wrong but any pointers would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Peter

[GIDDLEPIN]

Sorry to say Peter but your engine sounds like it is toast, the symptoms described are those of big end failure, as your engine warms up and parts expand the gap between the journals and shells expand, oil pressure drops and the rattling increases. You will probably find a silvery type of deposit, if not actual bits of metal when you drain the oil. :(

[reece]

It may not have been looked after in its previous life, any previous owner may have let the oil run down too low to cause the damage, but not enough for the engine weld itself together. 1.8’s have a history of using oil, so keeping a close eye on the levels is important.

It doesn’t sound too good with the death rattle description, unfortunately not all car owners are as caring as enthusiasts on here (saying that, some owners on here have killed their engines by running them dry)

Everything you need to know...

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[crazypierre]

Hi

Yes, I think you guys may be right-must have been the guy who had it before me. (My brother gave me this car-it was a company car in his company.)

I have replaced big end bearings in the past (on an MG Midget) and it was quite straightforward. With the Midget, I didn't need to take the engine out, just took the head off, lifted the pistons out the top and did the work from underneath with the car on ramps.

Do you think I could do this easily on an Avensis? Could there be other damage to consider?

Thanks

Peter

[igormus]

It may not have been looked after in its previous life, any previous owner may have let the oil run down too low to cause the damage, but not enough for the engine weld itself together. 1.8’s have a history of using oil, so keeping a close eye on the levels is important.

It doesn’t sound too good with the death rattle description, unfortunately not all car owners are as caring as enthusiasts on here (saying that, some owners on here have killed their engines by running them dry)

Everything you need to know...

Please wait a few seconds for Video to load!

yes it s very good lesson for those who just drive the car and no more.

Igor

[GIDDLEPIN]

Hi

Yes, I think you guys may be right-must have been the guy who had it before me. (My brother gave me this car-it was a company car in his company.)

I have replaced big end bearings in the past (on an MG Midget) and it was quite straightforward. With the Midget, I didn't need to take the engine out, just took the head off, lifted the pistons out the top and did the work from underneath with the car on ramps.

Do you think I could do this easily on an Avensis? Could there be other damage to consider?

Thanks

Peter

I would think that an ex company car with 125k on the clock will not have had the best of lives :( The bores are probably worn and the crank could be damaged, along with any other parts needing oil but not getting enough to lubricate.

[dawesy]

TBH if its noisy its most likley damaged the crank.

plus it will continue to use a lot of oil. if you are comfortable and have the nessesary tools you cold recondition the engine yourself.

be wary of buying second hand engines, most will have covered an amaizig 47000 miles (yeah right) and you could get one the same as you already have.

[tczwoju]

Hi

I am new to this forum and hope somebody can point me in the right direction.

I have a 2001 Avensis, 1.8vvti auto with 125K on the clock

Starts up fine and the engine sounds really sweet. After a few minutes, the oil warning light starts to flicker. Then as the engine warms up further, a nasty rattle from the engine is heard. The oil warning light stays on constantly by this time.

The rattle increases as you increase the revs, but disappears at idle.

The car has had regular oil changes and generally been well looked after.

Has plenty of oil in it.

Has anyone seen this before and can you advise what might be causing this?

Obviously, I am not using the car with this problem. I plan to take the rocker cover off and the sump to see if I can see anything wrong but any pointers would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Peter

Hi Peter

I had the same problem a few months ago and it was found that Big end bearing and crankshaft was damage due to low oil level, even when oil was on minimum level it should be fine but not with VVTI(it is rubbish),they do not like it. The repair would cost me a bout 2000 pounds so I went for another engine for 1200£ from Dewsbury Auto salvage with 18000miles on the clock. Engine drives perfectly and I can see now a big difference for better. It has been found a big amount of metal bits in the oil sump. Someone has not been look after properly before you, the same to my car, it was a company car before. I will never buy any ex-company car again.

Good luck mate

Wojciech

[crazypierre]

Hi

I am new to this forum and hope somebody can point me in the right direction.

I have a 2001 Avensis, 1.8vvti auto with 125K on the clock

Starts up fine and the engine sounds really sweet. After a few minutes, the oil warning light starts to flicker. Then as the engine warms up further, a nasty rattle from the engine is heard. The oil warning light stays on constantly by this time.

The rattle increases as you increase the revs, but disappears at idle.

The car has had regular oil changes and generally been well looked after.

Has plenty of oil in it.

Has anyone seen this before and can you advise what might be causing this?

Obviously, I am not using the car with this problem. I plan to take the rocker cover off and the sump to see if I can see anything wrong but any pointers would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Peter

Hi Peter

I had the same problem a few months ago and it was found that Big end bearing and crankshaft was damage due to low oil level, even when oil was on minimum level it should be fine but not with VVTI(it is rubbish),they do not like it. The repair would cost me a bout 2000 pounds so I went for another engine for 1200£ from Dewsbury Auto salvage with 18000miles on the clock. Engine drives perfectly and I can see now a big difference for better. It has been found a big amount of metal bits in the oil sump. Someone has not been look after properly before you, the same to my car, it was a company car before. I will never buy any ex-company car again.

Good luck mate

Wojciech

Hi

Thanks Wojciech

I think you are right-big end bearings gone.

An old mechanic I know (who is used to fixing cars cheaply) said that I may get away with replacing the big end bearings and then using a slightly thicker oil. I can put the front of the car up on ramps, remove the sump and change the big end bearings two at a time. For the cost of some new big end bearings and a couple hours of my time, I may just try this out before doing anything more expensive.

If I do, I'll let you know what happens.

Cheers

Peter

[kennny1000]

If you are going to change your big end bearings check the crank shaft as you take the bearings off for damage, burrs etc. When you put your new bearing on might be worth using some feeler gauges to check the clearance on the bearings. If they are to big you will not get any oil pressure no matter what the viscosity of the oil

[crazypierre]

If you are going to change your big end bearings check the crank shaft as you take the bearings off for damage, burrs etc. When you put your new bearing on might be worth using some feeler gauges to check the clearance on the bearings. If they are to big you will not get any oil pressure no matter what the viscosity of the oil

Hi

Thanks for the tip. Right now I'm struggling to find the bearings! Nobody seems to have them. Toyota main dealer tells me there are 3 sizes to choose from and that I need to take the old ones out to read the "marks" on them. I thought "standard" size big ends were just that, standard size!.....

Anyway, they seem expensive at Toyota dealer: £15 each plus VAT!

If anyone knows where I can get a set at a reasonable price, please let me know.

Cheers

Pete

[fazzer]

If you are going to change your big end bearings check the crank shaft as you take the bearings off for damage, burrs etc. When you put your new bearing on might be worth using some feeler gauges to check the clearance on the bearings. If they are to big you will not get any oil pressure no matter what the viscosity of the oil

Hi

Thanks for the tip. Right now I'm struggling to find the bearings! Nobody seems to have them. Toyota main dealer tells me there are 3 sizes to choose from and that I need to take the old ones out to read the "marks" on them. I thought "standard" size big ends were just that, standard size!.....

Anyway, they seem expensive at Toyota dealer: £15 each plus VAT!

If anyone knows where I can get a set at a reasonable price, please let me know.

Cheers

Pete

Hi Mate

The size is etched on the conrod cap,you can view once the pan is off,i would just go for a number 2s