Engine Problems, Help Greatly Appreciated

[jay926]

Hi all,

i'm going to talk about my celica's problem,

i have a 2001 vvti celica, my motor was running sweet till i noticed a knocking sound coming from the engine when driving at approx 2500-3000 rpms. took it into my local mech whom then told me what i dreaded, the big ends. so took the plunge and got a second hand engine fitted. hoping this would be the end of the problems. how wrong could i be. well here goes,

1) second hand engine supplied and fitted which costed me £1536.

2) whilst driving my engine management light came on, took the car back to the place where they fitted the engine and plugged in the code reader, PO171 i think they said, (system too lean?) the mech told me i needed a new lambda sensor?

3)the following day, whilst driving to bluewater on the A12, i noticed a loud noise just occured, which sounded like all i can describe was like driving on 4 flat tyres. again went back to the same mech, told me i my front wheel bearing had collapsed, so got that changed, £176.

4) a little pattern arising here, again the following day, driving to work on nights, my Battery discharge light came on, engine managemnt light back on, temp needle went to the top to the H, pulled over as soon as possible, only drove for about 1 min if that when the car over heated. my drive belt CAME OFF, not snapped just came off, coolant p***ing out from the reservoir, i was stranded on the carriageway. got the same mech to collect the car where i had to leave it. got the car back with no coolant in it, although the mech said he's just gotta give it quick test drive? hmm. i hope not. well so i topped it up myself, my engine light is back on again. my engine seems to be wobbling alot? and have noticed little metal bits in the oil dipstick.

this is my saga so far. if anyone can give me any reliable advice as i just want my car back to norm i'd greatly appreciate it. i'm not very mechanically minded so all help is needed.

many thanks in advance

[bestseany]

I'm not sure how your coolant was affected by the drive belt coming off. The water pump is driven by the camchain, the drive belt normally only runs the alternator and air con compressor.

To be honest, it sounds like you need to go to a different mechanic!