Carina E Barley Makes It Up Hills

[Daz1978]

Hi was just wondering if anyone else has come across the same problem, every since it bought my car over 4yrs now any steap incline at all it just really dies off even changing down to 3rd or 2nd it really struggles up the hill ive never driven a car that has so little power going up a hill, but on the flat once im past 60Mph in 5th no problem with acceleration or passing, there not the torqey'est of engine but this isnt normal,

Over time Ive replaced the following.

- Checked for air leaks, replaced the mainfold gasket.

- replaced HT Leads

- Put in brand new NGK Irdium spark plugs

- Replaced the throttle body

- Fitted free flowing air filter

- New Battery

- New coolant sensor

- Got Injectors tested and replaced the seals on them

All of these made little or no difference to the power just made the engine a bit smoother, last resort would be to replace the Lambda I suppose but since none of the above worked Im wondering if I should bother? Any input would be appreciated

[petroleum]

Hi it would seem ever sice you accuired your car it has not performed to your liking Was it not you who wanted to get rid of the lean burn function? Im just wondering if you already havent done it but if the timing belt was replaced before you, it could be a tooth out all this time and needs to be checked carefully with lining up the marks down below on the crankshaft first and then check that the 2 camshaft gears line up with thier respective marks also 1 tooth out will throw the camshaft timing out a little and yet the engine still continue to run!

[Daz1978]

Hi thanks for the swift reply, nope definatly not me that wanted to get rid of the leanburn feature, one of the best features of the Carinas I would say, you could be right Id did get the car and do about a 1000 miles before I changed the belt due to its age, I brought it to a registered Toyota dealer though but I suppose we all made mistakes, its due a belt change again I wonder should I get the mechanic to drive it before hand

[petroleum]

Sorry you were one of the posters replying to some one else about the lean burn thing "Yeah i feel the cam belt could have been put on slightly out either way and the engine will still run but giving a lack of power cause the valve timing is out of sink I think the 1.8 and 1.6 E cam belt timing marks are the same

Dont know if you feel you can do the job yourself but their is a irish mechanic on u tube showing how its done on the 1.6 engine i also have a cam belt diagram of the same that i sent to someone on here a few months ago

Its not a difficult one to do unless your car car is an automatic then it would be akward to stop the engine turning round when trying to undoe the crankshaft pulley bolt where with the manual you can put it gear with the brakes on and undo it that way! If you get stuck on finding the u tube video etc let me know

[Daz1978]

Lack of power sorted!

Hows it going after you had mentioned it I had a look on you tube and was thinking about taking the plunge but then a friend of mine said that the timing might be out anyway and if I put the new belt on the same way it came off the timing would still be out, makes sense I suppose.

So as much as I dislike main dealers for there snoberry of old cars and their over priced labour I decided to take it over to my local Toyota dealer, the service guy was sound and was previously a mechanic so at least I could tell him what I tried and he'd listen! They took it out for a test spin and filled in a report of what they though it could be It was a short list :->

Either

1. Ignition timing was out (I had fitted a new dizzy I got for a 10er earlier and played around but no joy)

2. The catalytic converter was blocked by somthing( The 3 previous nct showed very low emmisions so probabaly not)

3. The timing belt had jumped a cog and knocked the main timing out.

So it turned out to be a combination of number 1 & 3 the tensioner cog was f*&£ed apparently I suppose at 208,000 miles it would be! that was replaced along with the belt and some fine tuning of the dizzy cap, much quieter now as well.

So as far as the day to day goes diy but with the recession the dealers are really feeling the pinch, I was quoted €475 last year for the same job and that was just for the belt change, they did it for €380 including the tensioner and they checked out the other 2 problems + Free car wash and a full internal valet thrown in hats off really.......

[petroleum]

Well thats good but to be honest, it was the last fault on their list i e the cambelt that was the real root of the cars poor performance

But because they had gone through a process of elimination causeing time spent ££_ However they did sort it! which can be a problem that is easily over looked!

[Daz1978]

True In all the years ive been at cars I never heard of a timing belt jump either it snapped and your engine was toast or it stretched over time and the engine got loud and a bit rattley, took for a good spin now today its like a different car!