Does My Big End Look Big In This?

[Wobbers]

Hi all, im a new member so Hello to everyone!

I have the 1.8 Gen7 VVTi 140hp Celica.

I've searched the forums and have had no luck, so here is my problem:

My oil light didn't work... and yes you can guess the rest!

Run for 30 miles with no sign of problems, but then I heard the dreaded rattle. I checked the oil and it was virtually empty. This after topping it up a few thousand miles earlier. I immediatly put some good stuff in and obviously is a lot better... BUT...

It seems to run ok, except a small tapping when the engine has a very light load, i.e. low revs and usually when I lift of the accelorator pedal.

I took it to 2 garages and the first mechanic said put some oil treatment in and said it may just be a bit of wear on the cams.

The second (young, but MR2 specialist) took a look and said it was one of the big end shells worn.

My options are

A. Replace the engine with a recon...Ebay £880.00 plus £250 to fit it

B. Just have the bottom end "mended" - the MR2 specialist wouldn't do just the bottom end.

C. Complete Engine rebuild - recommended by the MR2 specialist (more money no doubt!)

So here's the big question!

Would it be such a big problem for the bottom end to be fixed (new bearings etc) without touching anything else?

Im on a budget so every penny counts.

Your opinions much appreciated.

[Scarlett Arrow]

Contact Rhys at Cardiff Road Garage in Mountain Ash. He knows the VVTi Engine like the back of his hand and has done many a Bottom End rebuild with new Bearings for Celica Club Members. With you being located in the West Midlands it shouldn't be too far for you to travel.

[fazzer]

hi mate

i can do your bottom end rebuild for you at a good price,pm if your interested.you wont have any oil problems after ive finished

[Wobbers]

Bump: Update

1st thanks to all that helped and offered to do the work on my motor.

Well I am a very happy bunny. Why?

After hearing rumours of Toyota extending the warrentees on the engines that are effected by oil consumption, I visited my local Dealer.

The guy said that they would have to do an oil consumption test over 500 miles. I was worried and said it won't go that far!

They asked the chief mechanic to take a look and said it was the small end bearings, asked if it had been serviced and told him it has had the 10,20,30k service but not the 40k service. I even asked if they wanted to see the service paperwork and said no!

He queried the missing 40k service and I said I thought it was 20k service intervals, then said not to worry about it anyway, there won't be any problems.

Because the state of the bearings, I said I dont want to do the consumption test as I would have a piston come out the other side of the block.

After he went off to check the computer, he came back and said it would be repaired under warrentee and booked it in there and then for a few weeks time with a courtesy car thrown in! They didn't check a thing other than the registration plate.

So they are doing the short block (pistons, crank etc) and a top end check and overhall if needed and is booked in for a week.

He said the warentee is now 120K and 7 year old cars, so its definatly gone up 20k from the 100k people are talking about.

my car: pre face lift "2002", 48000 miles, 10,20,30k service, missing 40k service.

How lucky am I !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now all I will have to do is worry about running it in!

:) :) :) :)