Avensis 'big End' Knock

[johnfarthing@hotmail.com]

Hi,

I own a 2000 X, Avensis 1.8 VVTi with 76k on the clock. I have had a big end knock diagnosed due to oil not getting to wherever.

I have been told I need new shells at least and possibly a crankshaft regrind. Not knowing too much about engines, I don't know if this is bad news, but I have been told that due to labour costs and the parts, that it may be cheaper to fit a recon engine instead.

Has anybody got ideas on prices and also how bad this problem is,

Cheers

[Black Knight]

Not sure on prices but the problem is pretty much terminal. The Con-rods see the highest forces in an engine. Normally they should rotate smoothly on the crank pins. When the bearings go they slap around until eventually they fail.

When they do they'll make a bid for freedom and smash the engine into about a million pieces

I assume you were having a noise problem? Best to go for a recon engine. Possibilities are that the piston has been smashing into the cylinder head too.

[Healing Hands]

Hi Sorry to hear your engine died. You did not check your oil level regularly did you?? Some 1800 vvti engines have a known oil consumption problem. Had you checked the oil at all you would have picked up on it earlier. One of your big end shells is now shaking hands with everything else in your engine and your piston is hitting the cyl head.

Option 1 If you have full service history with Toyota or can prove you use genuine parts for servicing contact your local Toyota dealer. They may be able to help with a modified short block. Play nice :)

Option2 If you have no service history :( a recon engine is better option, dont forget any repairs they do to yours need to include repairs to the oil consumption problem , the cause of failure in the first place.

C YA

[johnfarthing@hotmail.com]

Great, thanks for all the replies.

I am currently wading thru the quotes and its not looking good for the car.

I was due to replace some tyres this month as well as the clutch, and then Mr Stone Chip struch twice in the month and both headlamp glasses need replacing as well.

In reply, the oil has been checked fairly reguarly and the comsumption was to not excessive.

Car was doomed from when I bought it with dealer problems, suspension failure (warranty repair ) and a costly service ( part of the 'bundled' warranty agreement )

This was the first car I have owned in 20 years, after having the privilage of company cars. and I have never had this much problem with a car and I have driven all makes.

Think I will cut my losses and get shot.

[shroud]

Great, thanks for all the replies.

Think I will cut my losses and get shot.

Sounds as though you've been pretty unlucky. What symptoms did you have ?

Presumably it had this problem when you bought it and i guess there was no way of knowing once the dealer topped up the oil nicely. But wouldn't there have been some tell tale signs on test drive ?

[IMRAN786]

Same happened to me, I have fsh will toyota help???

[Penfold]

In the old days a quick fix would be to drop the sump and just change the shells and then flog the car. the repair would be good for 500 miles. These days the act of selling a car privately that is then proven faulty is fraught with litigation. (long term fix is to regrind crank and fit new shells to match)

Best bet would be to buy a cheap imported secondhand engine and swap it over. (check Exchange & Mart) the labour to change versus repairing the current lump shouldn't be that different and you should be saving on parts and machine shop costs.

I learnt the hard way about headlights on my carina (Mr T = £95, Aftermarket = £40) so I now have the acrylic protectors on both my Toyota's. Consider it as a secondary insurance policy - 1 set of protectors for for the price of a new reproduction headlight versus 2 new headlights thanks to mr Cement-Mixer.

I hope you get it sorted though as the Avensis really is a comfy car to drive long distance.