Avensis 1.8 Vvti 2001

February 5, 2008

Hello everyone.

Just wondered if you can help me. The Avensis has 113000 on the clock.

Been serviced by a good Toyota specialist. Just got the MOT done. And was told the big ends are on the early signs of failing. Death rattle once reving (over 3k revs).

Never done big ends before. But I feel I'm mechanically minded with other work that I've done to cars.

Can the big ends be done say over a pit? Thinking drop the sump and replace?

Any idea of the best place to get the bearings?

Thanks in advance.

February 7, 2008

Hi.

Also does anybody know the torque figures for the bearing cap bolts?

February 7, 2008

You can drop the pan and get to the caps (although 3 and 4 are a real whatsit to get to.

Problem is you'll probably need to get the crank out to get it reground since I suspect it'll be knackered. If the bearings are damaged chances are so will the bearing surfaces of the crank. That will mean dropping the lower end of the block off too but you need the timing chain cover off to do that. To get the chain cover off you need to disconnect the engine mount.

Overall a !Removed! awkward job. The bolts are yield bolts which means you have to actually deform them and it's not the torque that's paticularly important. From memory you have to tighten to 45Nm and then turn them on a further 90 degrees but as I say that's from memory and I trust mine about as far as I could throw my car :)

February 7, 2008

Take the engine out..

Probably easier to work on

February 9, 2008

Does it not bother or concern you that a Toyota with 113,000 miles on the clock is suffering from death rattle ?? Just further proof that they don't make them like they used too. My dear old girl (Corolla 1.6 GLi liftback from 1992) had 180,000 on the clock and still going strong. Still got original exhaust on it and the engine purrs beautifully...she's nearly 17 years old and I'm ashamed to admit it, but I have abused her for 11 years....hard driving and home 'servicing'. But she doesn't complain. If only Toyota made cars like this again....they would probably go bust...people would just keep them for 20 years (like me).