Engine Management Light Been On For 4 Years

[buzzlightyare]

I have a 2002 Avensis Estate 1.8 vvti - engine variant 1zzFe, with 150k on the clock.

I bought the car 6 years ago with about 90 k on the clock, and soon noticed it had a heavy oil consumption problem - it uses 1litre every 700 - 800 miles.

4 years ago I had an advisory on the MOT to replace front exhaust as flexi pipe badly corroded.

I duly replaced the part which obviously includes the catalytic converter - but not genuine Toyota part (in order to keep cost down) A few days later the engine management light came on and the fault codes pointed to a faulty o2 sensor, and cat efficiency being below threshold. To cut a long story short the car managed to scrape through the next 3 MOT's, having initially failed the emissions tests on each occasion, either by replacing an o2 sensor or by treating with Forte petrol additive. The car has also gone through 3 exhaust back boxes in those 4 years. In all this time the EML light has remained on even after resetting.

I am now led to believe that the EML being on will be an MOT failure under new regs, so I need to get this sorted. 2 local garages have advised me that I need a new cat, although neither would fit a genuine Toyota part, and my nearest Toyota dealer wants silly money for the job - nearly £700 at 2013 prices and that's without any o2 sensors that might also need replacing at around £80 a piece.

I am wondering if replacing the cat is going to be a waste of time and money given the amount of oil being consumed, or whether I should seek out a Toyota specialist (not a dealership) and get the job done properly. Has anyone out there had a similar experience, and does anyone know of any Toyota specialists in the Norfolk area?

[Druid Boy]

Um, given the oil consumption and cost of cats I wonder if the old girl has had her day? It might not be economical to repair her. Worth getting a professional opinion though - rather than my arm chair opinion.

Good luck

[Wiz201]

My Yaris intermittently does it, and TBH I've decided to get rid. He's only 5 years old but soon he's going start costing me money every year apart from servicing with more major parts needing attention. The yaris has no warranty either, so with the fact that Mr T is doing a 0% finance deal on the Aygo, decided to swap for one of those.

[cmia]

Please see my response in this post

http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/topic/156954-a-few-issues/

[buzzlightyare]

Um, given the oil consumption and cost of cats I wonder if the old girl has had her day? It might not be economical to repair her. Worth getting a professional opinion though - rather than my arm chair opinion.

Good luck

My Yaris intermittently does it, and TBH I've decided to get rid. He's only 5 years old but soon he's going start costing me money every year apart from servicing with more major parts needing attention. The yaris has no warranty either, so with the fact that Mr T is doing a 0% finance deal on the Aygo, decided to swap for one of those.

Please see my response in this post

http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/topic/156954-a-few-issues/

Thanks guys. I think you've just confirmed what I have been trying to deny lately - that it is now beyond economic repair. A replacement cat could be a waste of money if the oil problem isn't sorted first. Shame, because it is such a solid, reliable car and still great to drive, but it looks like it could be going for spares very soon.

[cmia]

if you know a cheap garage and would be preapred to rebuild the engine it will go on forever.

You could cat it and then decat it with a straight through pipe.

[buzzlightyare]

if you know a cheap garage and would be preapred to rebuild the engine it will go on forever.

You could cat it and then decat it with a straight through pipe.

Well I could, If I knew what that meant. Forgive my ignorance, but what would that involve and what would it achieve in terms of emissions tests and performance? Thanks.