Issues With Friends Mr2 Roadster 52

[ballist1x]

edit, so i just noticed there was a roadster mk3 sub forum... should have been in there.,.. oops!

so m friend has a nice 52 Toyota MR2 1.8vvti no mods etc, great handling car.

unfortunately he tells me when he corners hard, sometimes the oil warning light flcikers on/. we've tried to look on the dipstick previously but it goes in sidways? making it difficult for us inexperienced noobs to work things out.

he seems to be adding a fair bit of oil, mentioned he'll be throwing in another litre tonight whe he gets home?!

also i noticed when he turns the car off there seems to be a half a second of like "whirr" ing noise for a second coming from the engine? im not sure if thats related. any helps or tips i can pass over to him?

hes only had the car 1 year btw.

[cfc1]

Moved to the Roadster sub forum

Ok.. I think your friend should read this...

http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=70844

It might explain the oil consumption.. but hopefully this won't be the cause.

As for the dipstick, they are notoriously difficult to read, especially with clean oil in the engine. Try this method... take the stick out and give it a clean, put it back in an turn it 90 degrees then take it out and check it, this should hopefully give an equal reading on both sides of it... note, there is only a 1 litre difference between the top and bottom marks. A little trick some people use is to use a finger... when putting the dipstick in for the check, stop it going all the way down by blocking it with your little finger, if it has oil on it when it comes out.. your level should be fine (obviously use with caution and results will vary depending on how thick your fingers are)

I will also point out that there is an unofficial 7 year engine warranty on the car, as long as it has a full service history, not sure if this has to be a dealer history or not though, your friend will have to ask. I would get this looked at ASAP given the age of the car.

[ballist1x]

now its drinking coolant at an alarming rate. cant find the radiator, but on the expansion tank it can drop from high to low within 100miles, and then dissapearing off the scale.

still cant really tell if it has oil in or not but lets just say he's been adding at least a litre a week and it doesnt show on the dipstick!

[cfc1]

2 ways to check the oil level...

1 - put the dipstick in and turn it 180 degrees to coat both sides in oil.. easier to read sometimes.

2 - When putting the dipstick in put your index finger between the bottom of the stick and the tube, if it has oil on it when you take it out the level is about right.. a bit rough but the width of your finger can be added to the reading.

The difference between the top and bottom marks on the dip stick is about 1 litre, it shouldn't be useing 1 litre a week, check the oil cap.. ius it covered in a mushy creamy sludge?.. if so it could be the head gasket.

Best get the car checked by a pro ASAP, before any terminal damage is done.. unless it's too late allready.

[GIDDLEPIN]

Could be head gasket or oval bores (Pre-cats do not destroy engines)

Forum diagnostics are difficult though ;)

Hope his problem turns out to be cheap but it doesn't look good I'm afraid :(

Les

[ballist1x]

tbh im fearing the worst, unfortunately, given that he's saying its drinking roughly 1lt of coolant on a 30 mile journey now - so not ideal he;s going for tapwater as he says he can no longer afford pre mixed coolant. hes gonna drop some radweld in there too....

i think 1 major prob with this dipstick is that its kinked near the top... hence it becomes floppy from that part and struggle to use it properly!

stll regardless i think its bone dry down there.

last time i checked the oil filler, i couldnt see any gunk. but that was before the coolant situation. ill re-check this lunch time!

[curriedb]

Given the information I don't think the prognosis is good for your friend's MR2. My advice is: STOP USING IT RIGHT NOW...and cycle to work! As Davy says, your friend needs to get an experienced mechanic to check it out ASAP...

[ballist1x]

small update, hes taking it to a garage he trusts locally tonight.

he said he would take it in at weekend, and the guy said why the hell would he do that and that he needs to get it in tonight to prevent any damage from overheat etc. So sounds like they will look at it properly tonight.

maybe ill have a diagnosis update tomorrow, my guess is blown waterpump seal + i dunno whats causing oil loss, precat failure prob an option.

[ballist1x]

update#2

car needs a new radiator as a minimum

not sure if they have diagnosed the oil issue...