Lack of torque in Avensis T27 1.8 petrol, makes stalling when moving off from stand still.

[Konrad C]

I am sharing my experience as I found out on the Facebook forum somebody else has been experiencing the same issues I had, until I got used to the characteristic of my car.

The story goes like this. For years you drive a car that has good bottom end torque, so when moving off, hardly any revs are needed and no slipping the clutch. My driving style is designed to reduce clutch wear, and use less fuel, especially in stop start driving. This worked well with my old T22 Lean-burn Avensis.

When I first got my current car T27 1.8 Valvematic engine, I stalled it quite a lot when trying to use the same low revs and low clutch slippage style. Also there is no feeling as everthing is or feels more remote/detached. It took me a while because I still was using my old car for half a year, until i sold it at the end of February. Since then I have worked out how to get close to my preferred style and not stall the car.

Well I read on the Facebook Avensis/Carina page, somebody whose wife owns a similar car '10 Tourer 1.8 petrol, was having the same issues and thought there was a fault with the car. I answered saying the usual things like MAF sensor, air leaks etc, when another member pointed out there was no EML fault codes showing. That is when I remembered my own experience. I asked the person with the issue, did they have a car with strong low end torque previously and they said "yes, the previous car was a diesel"!

So there lies the problem, trying to drive the current car like a diesel, with only half the torque available! I told him, his wife needs to adjust her driving style and practice. I also mentioned that using the auto EPB release helps with moving off, and cuts down slipping the clutch and using excessive revs.

I have noticed that if I gently lift the clutch pedal close to biting point with the EPB not engaged, the engine compensates like you are pressing the accelerator. Not to quick though or the engine will stall. Once on the move the engine is fine. If you really floor it, the car can go fast if needed.

This probably explains why the multi-drive version, runs higher revs until cruising speed is reached. It keeps the rev close to the optimum torque output.

I hope other learn about this and future owners. Overall I enjoy the smooth economical engine that seems to be as reliable as the old lean-burn engine.

    

[Cyker]

Yeah, it's hard going back to a gutless petrol when you're used to a nice torquey diesel 

One other thing I've noticed is that some cars rev very differently; For instance, on my super awesome Yaris D4D, if I pulse the accelerator in neutral there is a short delay before it revs up and down again, but if I do it with the clutch pressed in the response is *much* sharper, practically instant.

Originally I thought this must be because the flywheel was getting disengaged when the clutch is pushed in, but since the flywheel is on the engine side that doesn't make sense, so it must be an ECU thing.

Most of the other cars I've tried this on don't do this; They react the same whether you're in neutral with the clutch in or out, so that's another thing that might make it easier to stall some cars, if you're used to a sharper accelerator response when engaging the clutch!

 

[Konrad C]

Since my clutch replacement, the car has been a massive improvement! The car is far easier to move off the line with low revs and a lot less time on biting point - just like my old Avensis Mk1. The engine seems to pick up quicker. I have to assume that the reset of the clutch biting point, when I had the problem caused by the gear position sensor plug not connected properly -  

I can let the clutch up without touching the throttle pedal (EPB off) in traffic and the car will start moving as the engine picks up. I then take my foot off the clutch pedal and the car moves along. If I did this before, the engine will rev a little or stall. Basically everything is working the way I had expected, but did not get before. Add that the pedal is extremely light - it was light before but now it super light. I had lot of friends press the clutch pedal, and they were surprised how light it is and some have newer cars. Also the clutch bite is a lot sharper, and lower as expected when new. 

This car is now the car I wanted. Add the full size spare wheel and USB, I can see some exploring UK this summer.