Verso 54 -1.8 T3 - Bottom End Gone !

[jp1970]

Following a few weeks of very intermittent knocking/ tapping from the 'front of the car', I finally managed to get the car booked into the local garage.... the verdict was that the 'bottom end' of the engine has gone and i would require a new engine/rebuild !!!!. I have since had this confirmed by another local garage as well. I have been informed the root cause of this is the lack of engine oil... the car has had an annual service every 12,000, (it only done 54,000)..it's a 54 reg. The engine has never been low on oil, no leaks or blue smoke !!

I'm currently awaiting a quote from the garage for the rebuild (it's going to be in the region of 900-1200 pounds !!). According to the garage the engine will be sent away to a specialist re-furb company.... the company apprantently have recently re-furb'd a number of verso engines... he instantly quoted the engine number and model !!!

Questions...

1) Is it worth me contacting Toyota to establish if they are willing resolve the issue ..(it out of warranty!!).. surely this sort of failure shouldn't happen on such a low mileage car... even though the car hasn't been serviced by a toyota dealer ?

2) How common are these engine failures on verso's?

3) Should I just get rid of the car and cut my losses ?

thanks

[IainM]

Following a few weeks of very intermittent knocking/ tapping from the 'front of the car', I finally managed to get the car booked into the local garage.... the verdict was that the 'bottom end' of the engine has gone and i would require a new engine/rebuild !!!!. I have since had this confirmed by another local garage as well. I have been informed the root cause of this is the lack of engine oil... the car has had an annual service every 12,000, (it only done 54,000)..it's a 54 reg. The engine has never been low on oil, no leaks or blue smoke !!

I'm currently awaiting a quote from the garage for the rebuild (it's going to be in the region of 900-1200 pounds !!). According to the garage the engine will be sent away to a specialist re-furb company.... the company apprantently have recently re-furb'd a number of verso engines... he instantly quoted the engine number and model !!!

Questions...

1) Is it worth me contacting Toyota to establish if they are willing resolve the issue ..(it out of warranty!!).. surely this sort of failure shouldn't happen on such a low mileage car... even though the car hasn't been serviced by a toyota dealer ?

2) How common are these engine failures on verso's?

3) Should I just get rid of the car and cut my losses ?

thanks

1) Probably not - you really can't prove the thing has never been run out of oil (and that's basically what will cause this kind of failure). The only other possible cause might be a malfunctioning oil pump or blocked oil galleries.

You state that the engine has never been low on oil, no leaks or blue smoke etc. How often do you check it? Has it ever been below the minimum mark on the dipstick? There were people posting in another thread on this forum recently about being surprised by the oil warning light coming on (albeit on Diesel engines). If your oil gets that low either you are having a catastrophic failure or its just plain old neglect.

2) Bottom end bearing failures are not that common on any engine at 50K miles if its has enough oil, the oil is clean enough, the pump is working & the oil ways are sound.

3) It would seem unlikely you'd get much for it without a working engine.

Hope you manage to get it resolved at reasonable cost. I would take it to a Toyota dealer though just to make sure what you are being told is right. It may be as obvious as apples on a tree, but without hearing it I couldn't say & sadly there are plenty of people in the motor trade who would be only to happy to sell you an unnecessary engine rebuild.

[jp1970]

Have just spoken to the garage.. the cost of the rebuild and re-bore (this includes the engine rebuild kit..i.e new pistons, camshaft/chain etc)is £1,200 + £300 (+ vat) for the removal and refit.

The work will be under a 12 months/ 12,000 miles warrenty... Having had a good long chat with the 'cheif mechanic' he exlained the process and what is involved and also explained that the clutch and other items will be reviewed and replaced as required.

I haven't yet got a second quote.. not too sure if i will.. as it seems that they know what they are doing . the garage also does have a good reputation..

I may try and ask if they can barter on the price !!!.

thanks

[Parts-King]

You start off saying

I have been informed the root cause of this is the lack of engine oil

and then you say

The engine has never been low on oil

If the engine has run out of oil it will be very easy to tell when the engine is stripped. An engine should last longer than this mileage but with no Toyota service history, it will be near impossible to get anything out of Toyota as it will be difficult to prove if the correct parts/oil/methods have been used

What about a second hand engine option?

Kingo

[jp1970]

Have now managed to obtain a few quotes from other engine re-builders, they ranged from £900 - £1500, One firm I spoke to mentioned that over the last few months they have re-furbed a few verso engines... he had just completed one last week that was shipped back to Scotland !!!.

In terms of the root cause this will not be apparant until it's stripped down and inspected.... in terms of checking oil levels this was done on a monthly basis and prior to motorway/long journeys, it did require the odd top up but nothing major....

Either way, I have now left the car with my local garage to sort of the engine... it should be back in 10 days...

Strangley enough this hasn't put me of buying another verso.... as they as brilliant family cars to lug the kids, bike, rubbish and wife around !!!

thanks