Racehorse Or Slug?

[noddydog]

I currently own a 99 Avensis 1.8i GS (none VVTi). Prior to this car I had a 1.6 Nissan Primera and to be honest at first I never noticed much performance difference between the two. However after a while I noticed sometimes the Avensis seemed quite sluggish and others it really seemed to be quite powerful. I tried finding a point in the powerband where a surge would take place, but the Avensis doesn't really have a distinct one. Now I know all of this isn't in the mind since the Primera always performed the same day in day out. So what is going on with the Avensis? Do different brands of petrol have a different impact on performance or is there something like a twin choke carb set up that some days I'm accidentally activating and others I'm not? As far as I can tell there are no other factors involved (eg cold days, altitude, cold engine) so I remain puzzled. Anyone else found this?

[bristolmotorspeedway]

I currently own a 99 Avensis 1.8i GS (none VVTi). Prior to this car I had a 1.6 Nissan Primera and to be honest at first I never noticed much performance difference between the two. However after a while I noticed sometimes the Avensis seemed quite sluggish and others it really seemed to be quite powerful. I tried finding a point in the powerband where a surge would take place, but the Avensis doesn't really have a distinct one. Now I know all of this isn't in the mind since the Primera always performed the same day in day out. So what is going on with the Avensis? Do different brands of petrol have a different impact on performance or is there something like a twin choke carb set up that some days I'm accidentally activating and others I'm not? As far as I can tell there are no other factors involved (eg cold days, altitude, cold engine) so I remain puzzled. Anyone else found this?

I recall my dad's 98 Avensis 1.8i GS - it was a lean burn engine. This seemed to mean it had two distinct modes:

- lean burn (green econo light lit), very sluggish

- 'normal' (econo light off), much more power available

The difference was most noticable when Mway cruising at around 70/75, econo light glowing and then putting your foot down. Initially response was slow, then the econo light would go off and the car would accelerate much more purposefully. The difference between the two modes was very noticable and almost akin to turbo lag on old turbo diesels (although not so dramatic). It also wasn't as noticable as on a lean-burn 1.6 Carina which I had driven previously - that was really dull in lean-burn mode.

There is no point in the power band where the switch occurs, simply a question of how hard you press the throttle I think - give it a good shove and lean-burn switches off. I would guess this is what you are experiencing, sometimes you give it that little harder press and off she goes.

[PrinceOfDarkness]

well, my 55 plate 2.0 petrol is definitely a slug compared to my old honda s2000! but on a serious note, my avensis seems to be most powerful above 3000rpm, and when it's warm it's a great engine and very responsive

however, i have notice for the first mile or so when the car's cold it seems a bit jerky... i was going to post another thread about it but as it's a similar topic i might as well ask here... does anyone else have this jerkyness? should i worry about it?

thanks

[GregT3-S]

I get the jerkyness on my 06 1.8vvti it's to do with the electronic throttle (rather than a cable) fighting the cold idle valve.

[noddydog]

Incidentally when I was refering to the performance difference I didn't mean the surge that occurs about 70mph (or less obvious in lower gears). What I mean is that across the whole gear/rev range my Avensis seems sluggish on some occassions and then a few days later it seems quite perky. Is there any special thing you have to do with lean burn engines, eg kick down on accelerator or press it fully down at start up thereby electronically configuring the engine for that driving session?

[bristolmotorspeedway]

Incidentally when I was refering to the performance difference I didn't mean the surge that occurs about 70mph (or less obvious in lower gears). What I mean is that across the whole gear/rev range my Avensis seems sluggish on some occassions and then a few days later it seems quite perky. Is there any special thing you have to do with lean burn engines, eg kick down on accelerator or press it fully down at start up thereby electronically configuring the engine for that driving session?

What's the econo light doing? Does it go on and off the same on it's less perky days? Could be a fault whereby some days the lean-burn stays on whatever you do? There was certainly no special trick on my Dad's one that I referred to - it simply kicked in when you demanded it. But I'm referring to a fairly new example of the same engine, think he had it from 6 months old to just over two years old.

[Steve84]

My dad had a 98 r reg lean burn 1.8 avensis before his current 1.8 vvt-i. I did notice a lack of power compared to his and my current model. But has said you need to put the right boot to the floor the econ light goes out and then the power kicks in. If i recall the lean burn 1.8 (7A-fe) is only around 109bhp, at the time my 216 rover i had was 109bhp (k-series engine) and that seemed to have the edge on performace lower down the rev range but higher up say over 4000rpm my dad waould just serge past me like i was going backwards.

[stuartboldy]

Ive got a 2001 2.0 sr-vvti avensis,it seems to be quite quick/powerfull all the time and get a surge at about 3000rpm( depending what gear im in) when the vvti kicks ,in or so thats what i think causes it.

[Black Knight]

I get the jerkyness on my 06 1.8vvti it's to do with the electronic throttle (rather than a cable) fighting the cold idle valve.

The electronic throttle body doesn't have a seperate idle speed control valve. It controls the idle speed through the main throttle butterfly

[65special]

well, my 55 plate 2.0 petrol is definitely a slug compared to my old honda s2000! but on a serious note, my avensis seems to be most powerful above 3000rpm, and when it's warm it's a great engine and very responsive

however, i have notice for the first mile or so when the car's cold it seems a bit jerky... i was going to post another thread about it but as it's a similar topic i might as well ask here... does anyone else have this jerkyness? should i worry about it?

thanks

My T-Spirit 2.0L petrol Avensis is quite similar in performance. The VTec kicks in at around 3,000 rpm and gives a boost to the car. I find that some cars with smaller engines seem to be faster of the mark, but if you let the revs build up (5,000 rpm and over), the situation is reversed. The Avensis is quite capable of being taken to the "Red Line" at over 6,000 rpm.

This characteristic performance is typical of all cars with VTec type petrol engines, not just Toyota.

I think that the Avensis would be so much better all round with a Turbo like, for example, the Saab 9-3 or 9-5 to give that "low down" boost.

I do find, however, that the car's performance is seem to be improving since I took it past the 7,000 miles mark.

[Penfold]

You are NOT going mad. The lean burn definitely has 2 characters.

I have the 2.0 '98 model and it does 44mpg when driven normally on cheapo 4 star.

It is quite happy to pootle around lanes and along motorways while I sit in my velour armchair enjoying the scenery but just occassionally I go a bit Jeremy Clarkson and demand POWER !!!

You can get this by pressing the throttle firmly but then momentarily backing off a touch and then nailing it again. The effect is astonishing given that my kids call it "an old farts car". It b*ggers fuel consumption though.

If someone from TGB can dispute this then I'll nickname it Christine instead :)

[RAVS]

:) HI

I HAD SAME PROBLEM. I RESOLVED IT BY CHANGING THE AIR FILTER AND ADDING STP FUEL INJECTOR CLEANER AND THEN A FULL TANK OF PETROL TOOK ONCE AROUND THE M60 RING ROUND AND NOW ITS FINE. :D I PERSONALLY THINK THE FUEL INJECTORS WERE DIRTY.

[Mackers]

i'd go (and have done) for a performance panel filter and STD petrol treatment, i'm rolling on 18's and have had 148 outta it and accelleration is good too.

[kashbg]

Hi guys,

I have just bought Avensis 04 plate D4-D, T3-S Estate. I love the comfort of the car but I hate big time the sluggich performance of the engine.

I have read the comments on the two diffIerent modes of the engine 1.lean burn and 2. rich burn or whatever. I have also noted the coment that to get decent power you need to kick down the throtle, easy off a bit and stand on it again.

Guys I find that absolutely diabolical. We are talking about a modern car with all kind of gimmicks. You should be able to get performance on tap progressivly without having to kick down or whatever the throtle so that you wake up the engine.

So far I have been in a few dangerous situations where i pull in the main road in 1st, there is a plenty of distance to the approaching car and by the time I select 2nd and put my foot down to speed up the car does nothing but as if getting confused what should it do now. After about 4 seconds the power floods in. This is dangerous as by that time cars all over my back Effing me, for me not accelerating adequately.

If there is no fault on my car then this car is Officialy the most sluggish car I have ever driven. I recently drove an Escort F-reg and comparing to the Avensis it felt like a Ferrary.

I even went to the extreme of personnaly clean out the MAF filter. IT is shiny now but no change in performance. Oxigen sensor ?- I doubt it.

I believe there is something that comfuses the car when you suddenly stand on the throtle, be it a power surge in the cables or something. I relly do hope that there is a fault someware on the car so that it can be fixed. I have got no warning lights on the dashboard. Everything seems fine. My fuel consumption in London is about 37-38 mpg.

I would greatly appreciate any Toyta Tech's comments.

IS THIS CAR A NATURAL RACEHORSE OR SLUG?

[Ged40]

I've been having similar performance problems since I bought my Avensis 14 months ago. It's too inconsistent to nail down so haven't been able to get Toyota to suss it out or admit to a problem. It has been happening more recently and is totally pigging me off. Have had a couple of episodes where pulling out into traffic has seen the same results as yours, kashbg. When it happens it's as if the ABS is kicking in and I'm trying to drive with brakes on. Couldn't be the case could it?

The car has to go in for a small job in the near future and I'm going to push for a complete diagnostic check as the wife is going mad every time the engine lets me down 'cos I swear uncontrollably. Doesn't solve the problem but helps me cope.

[kashbg]

Hi guys,

Further to my previous post regarding the sluggish performance of my 04 Avensis D4D, I just wanted to get a bit of advise as to whether cleaning the MAF sensor sorts out the performance or should I just try and buy a brand new one. Would it make any difference.

Also I have been thinking about the Oxigen sensor in terms of how does it affect the acceleration of the car. Could it be that the car has gone sluggish because of it.

Any advise and comments would be greatly appreciated!

PS. What else affects the accelaration of the car. Anyone knows anything about ajasting to min the Turbo-lag(delay).

Thanks