Pinking?

[riffler]

Any advice on this one?

I have owned a Y reg Corolla vvti gs calida from 30k, it now has 63k on the clock.

I can hear the engine pinking/clattering when under load.

A brief/prolonged rattle depending on hill/gear/acceleration etc.

I don't use dealer service but trust the garage thats does service for me.

After a service the pinking is almost inaudible but still there.

After a while it progressively becomes more noticeable.

Has anyone else noticed this?

Is it something you live with or will a dealer be able to fix it?

Thanks

Steve

[riffler]

Hmmm, just searched the board for pinking.

Oh dear, seems to be quite common.

[john905]

had the same thing at work try some fuel additive mate should get some from local car shop

[fatboyr]

Any advice on this one?

I have owned a Y reg Corolla vvti gs calida from 30k, it now has 63k on the clock.

I can hear the engine pinking/clattering when under load.

A brief/prolonged rattle depending on hill/gear/acceleration etc.

I don't use dealer service but trust the garage thats does service for me.

After a service the pinking is almost inaudible but still there.

After a while it progressively becomes more noticeable.

Has anyone else noticed this?

Is it something you live with or will a dealer be able to fix it?

Thanks

Steve

it is a common problem on the VVTIs.....try using higher octane fuels

[riffler]

Took the car to my local Toyota dealer.

Diagnosis poss faulty VVTi unit.

Recommendation;

1. Flush engine with Forte flush and refill with Shell Helix Plus, add Forte fuel cleanser to fuel tank, repeat fuel cleanser treatment another 2x. Oil cahnge and fuel treatment x1 = £77.

2. Replace VVTi unit, estimate £577.

Have tried 1.

[fatboyr]

use v-power.... it would be reduced a bit more, also great fuel economy, i did nearly 500 miles for a full tank on A-roads

[riffler]

use v-power.... it would be reduced a bit more, also great fuel economy, i did nearly 500 miles for a full tank on A-roads

OK, after several tanks of V power with Forte fuel treatment this is what happened next.

1. Initially changing oil/fuel+treatments led to some reduction in noise and throttle response was certainly prompter with V power but the engine rattle remained.

2. Went to Cromarty for a week from Norfolk. It rattled all the way there and back. Maybe I'll trade it in.

3. Two days after return the engine management light came on and car became a little jumpy when cold and going through the gears. Took it to dealer for VVTi unit replacement as couldn't see any garage accepting it for trade in with EM light permanently on.

4. Took 2.5 days to do the job. Took it on 120ml trip, it's 80% better but it still rattles a little on acceleration particularly in 3rd at around 3,700 - 40,000 rpm. Took it back to dealer for that final tweak.

5. Collected car.

"We can hear what you mean but it's no longer the VVTi unit it's now the ECU unit that's the problem. These cars were sold with this fault and a software upgrade was released but it required a replacement ECU unit at £695. You can run the car as it is but there might be a little carbon deposit build up over time, we can give you a free goodwill health check on this in 6mths time if you're worried about it. Would you like us to replace the ECU for you?"

6. Going to keep it for a year and cross fingers that nothing else goes wrong.

7. Next car will be a Focus.

[robdob]

I had a 1.4vvti Corolla which was pinking a little from around 2000-3000 rpm only when dragging up hills where I should have changed down....... ;-)

Anyway, it was under warranty so I got a new ECU in it and this solved the problem but it did seem to use more fuel after that. I wish I hadn't got the new ECU as it wasn't too bad.