Toyota Avensis 2001 1.8 Vvti Big End Bearings Failed?

[IMRAN786]

Basically what has happened is I was on my way to london everything was running sweet. Got there and theres this knocking sound coming from the engine. Car starts to run rough. When i left from Manchester I checked everything oil was fine and so was the water. And it's only done 80000 miles, I can't believe it's happened to me, I thought Toyotas were supposed to run to 200000 without any problems. CAN ANYONE HELP, IS THERE AN INHERENT PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE. I'VE READ THAT 2000-2002 1.8 VVTI's HAVE OIL PROBLEMS. MY CAR HAS FULL SERVICE HISTORY, ONLY ONE PRIVATE.

[Parva]

Are you absolutely certain that it's the big ends that are knocking? I know the sound is very distinctive but if you left Manchester with a dipstick showing full I'd be extremely surprised if it was the big ends that have gone in such a short time as they are at the bottom of the engine (virtually sat in the sump) and it would usually be components higher up that suffer first (ie valves).

[IMRAN786]

Hi, The sound look's like it's coming from the bottom but it also sounds like it's coming from the top. The AA suspect Big end failure and probably some top end aswell. I'm getting it looked at today. I'll reply with results.

[IMRAN786]

The Garage have checked the engine with a stethascope and they have said the bottom and top ens are knocking, What should i do from here. does this mean a new engine has to be put in???

[Parva]

The Garage have checked the engine with a stethascope and they have said the bottom and top ens are knocking, What should i do from here. does this mean a new engine has to be put in???

Pretty much yes, it'll probably be cheaper than getting the worn parts replaced. That's some damned tough luck mate, I know the 1.8 has a history of oil consumption problems but eating big ends is a new one on me. :(

[IMRAN786]

I'm so Gutted, I'll be replacing engine and selling. This has seriously dented my trust in TOYOTA. I really looked up to TOYOTA, Once I sell i'll be moving to another manufacturer, Thanks for the info Dave.

[Starensis]

I'm so Gutted, I'll be replacing engine and selling. This has seriously dented my trust in TOYOTA. I really looked up to TOYOTA, Once I sell i'll be moving to another manufacturer, Thanks for the info Dave.

Your engine is under warranty for 7 years or 100,000 miles, providing vehicle has FULL Toyota service history. All services must be carried out on schedule.

If this is so, contact Toyota customer services & insist they replace FOC. Make them aware that you know about the 7 year warranty on VVT-I engines.

Don't take no for an answer & threaten them with Watchdog or trading standards.

Must say though to use 3.5 Litres of oil in such a short journey is unusual.

[IMRAN786]

Hi, I spoke to toyota and they say the warranty is an extension which was optional. They say it has a warranty of 100000miles or 3 years whichever comes first.

[IMRAN786]

what should i do next???

[Black Knight]

CAN ANYONE HELP, IS THERE AN INHERENT PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE. I'VE READ THAT 2000-2002 1.8 VVTI's HAVE OIL PROBLEMS. MY CAR HAS FULL SERVICE HISTORY, ONLY ONE PRIVATE.

As you say above there's reports of problems with the period you state above. The normal problem seems to be 1litre/1000miles. Manchester to London is what? 200miles?

If the oil level was fine on the dipstick when you left then chances of it being the same problem are very low.

Is it a full Toyota Service History on the car? Any signs of independant garages having their hands on it?

How long have you owned the car for if it's had only one previous owner? Possibility of negligence from previous owner showing up?

[IMRAN786]

Hi, its got a 2 services from private garages, but i checked the car thoroughly and it was spot on. the preious owner was the wife of a doctor she hadn't skimped on service. 1 of the services was done privately by me. oil i used was magnatec 5w40.

[Black Knight]

Not trying to teach my gran to suck eggs here but a few basic questions:

1. Assume you completely drained the oil before refilling?

2. You used a new oil filter yes?

3. You used the correct filter if you did change it?

Also, can you give a profile of services and mileages?

i.e.

1st service - 10,000 miles - Toyota dealer

2nd service - 20,000 miles - Private garage etc.

[IMRAN786]

:) Hi It's been serviced as follows:

1st - 10406 miles Toyota dealer - 09/05/01

2 - 20116 miles Toyota dealer - 13/02/02

3 - 30853 miles Toyota dealer - 26/09/02

4 - 40834 miles Toyota dealer - 25/06/03

5 - 50004 miles Toyota dealer - 20/01/04

6 - 60260 miles Toyota dealer - 16/11/04

7 - 69050 miles Private garage renowned - 21/12/05

8 - 79408 miles Private garage renowned - 27/01/07

This is the service schedule

Regards

The oil was completely drained and new oil filters were used.

[Black Knight]

Nothing too wrong with the scheduling of the servicing.

Only thing I can really think of is maybe wrong filter or the garage putting old oil back in the car from a a service point of view.

If it were built wrong how did it last so long?

If it were designed wrong why don't they all go wrong?

If oil hasn't been allowed to get low and servicing has been done correctly seems a bit of a mystery

[Chris Dance]

Imran, From what you have said I think you have a good case to ask Toyota to pay for the repair or at least go part way in the cost of repair. Hope you can get it sorted.

I did have a private repairer leave the oil filler cap off my Volvo engine some years ago and I was lucky to spot it after he brought back from a road check. If that never happened to your car I cannot think of any reason for the engine failure.

[IMRAN786]

Guys. The car was serviced in front of my eyes with the parts i supplied. The oil was changed in front of me it was totally drained and replaced with 5w30 magnatec. If i were ever to say a bad thing about toyota it would be don't buy a 2001-2003 1.8 vvti Avensis 'cause you never know when they'll fail. I hope Toyota is reading this. Keep reliability up and don't go down the same route as Mercedes.