Severe Issue!

Discussion and technical advice for 84-89 AW10 & AW11 MR2. 3A-LU, 4A-GE, 4A-GZE.

Moderators: IMOC Moderators, IMOC Committee Members

SuperRedMR2
Posts: 5494
Joined: Mon May 16, 2005 8:40 pm
Location: Wickford, Essex

Re: Severe Issue!

Post by SuperRedMR2 »

It also have piston slap in all four bores

There seems to be corrosion on no.4 on the block, will post up photos later on tonight. Cylinder head looks okay - am going to a machinists tomorrow to get it checked out - will also ask to see if he can come out to look at my block.

If the block is xxxxx, I will be looking for a replacement block!

I cant sell the car as it is as the wheel arches are shitty and I just wont get anything for it. I can borrow a friends car for a week if im lucky but will be after a block if it cant get fixed in situ.
User avatar
Lauren
IMOC Committee
Posts: 38632
Joined: Mon Dec 13, 2004 5:37 pm
Location: Greater Manchester
Contact:

Re: Severe Issue!

Post by Lauren »

Blimey, not sounding like it's going well. :(

Would be suprised if the block needs replacing.

A second hand engine might be a cheaper option, though it's a bit of a lottery.
2020 GR Yaris - Circuit Pack :lover:
PW@Woodsport
Posts: 7642
Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2004 6:40 pm
Location: durham
Contact:

Re: Severe Issue!

Post by PW@Woodsport »

There seems to be corrosion on no.4 on the block


Par for the course as i explained several posts ago, in most cases it renders the block as scrap, extremely common 4a-ge issue.
Image
SuperRedMR2
Posts: 5494
Joined: Mon May 16, 2005 8:40 pm
Location: Wickford, Essex

Re: Severe Issue!

Post by SuperRedMR2 »

Its just a pigging nightmare and really inconvenient!

I've got my fidanza flywheel at home I may have to sell or put it on there but then ive got to buy a replacement clutch!

GT4 rebuilt calipers with red stuff pads modified to fit which ill probably sell now.

If i can get the block repaired ill still have the piston slap problem- though this hasnt affected performance and the car doesn't use oil.
SuperRedMR2
Posts: 5494
Joined: Mon May 16, 2005 8:40 pm
Location: Wickford, Essex

Re: Severe Issue!

Post by SuperRedMR2 »

PW@Woodsport wrote:
There seems to be corrosion on no.4 on the block


Par for the course as i explained several posts ago, in most cases it renders the block as scrap, extremely common 4a-ge issue.


The corrosion can be repaired can't it though?
User avatar
Lauren
IMOC Committee
Posts: 38632
Joined: Mon Dec 13, 2004 5:37 pm
Location: Greater Manchester
Contact:

Re: Severe Issue!

Post by Lauren »

Remember you need to be a premium member to sell on here. :+:
2020 GR Yaris - Circuit Pack :lover:
SuperRedMR2
Posts: 5494
Joined: Mon May 16, 2005 8:40 pm
Location: Wickford, Essex

Re: Severe Issue!

Post by SuperRedMR2 »

Lauren wrote:Remember you need to be a premium member to sell on here. :+:


It'd go on the Mk1 Club or eBay, Lauren.

I have to buy another radiator as it fell apart when we took it out.

I don't know what to do :(
PW@Woodsport
Posts: 7642
Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2004 6:40 pm
Location: durham
Contact:

Re: Severe Issue!

Post by PW@Woodsport »

SuperRedMR2 wrote:
PW@Woodsport wrote:
There seems to be corrosion on no.4 on the block


Par for the course as i explained several posts ago, in most cases it renders the block as scrap, extremely common 4a-ge issue.


The corrosion can be repaired can't it though?


It depends on your definition of "repaired" , there is a quick fix that can get you another 6 months to a year (or maybe more) out of the block by applying chemical metal (JB weld sort of thing) to the corroded area, sand that flat and apply a little Hermatite around the bore of your new gasket, technically a bodge but has been done very successfully by many a Mk1 owner over the years to get them out of a hole.

Another alternative is to remove the engine, have the corroded area welded (not easy on cast) and machined flat, but it's a costly excercise and why many people opt for the JB weld method as a quick fix.

In nearly all cases sooner or later the gasket will breach again and you will have to source a new engine or block.

Wish there was a magic wand for this but the JB weld is about your best hope without it costing a fortune.
Image
SuperRedMR2
Posts: 5494
Joined: Mon May 16, 2005 8:40 pm
Location: Wickford, Essex

Re: Severe Issue!

Post by SuperRedMR2 »

There is a place in Colchester near where I live that will be looking at the head tomorrow that would weld the block or do the alternative. Apparently they are very good, owned by a couple of old boys with the same level of knowledge you have mr woods, so they should be able to give me a practical recommendation.
PW@Woodsport
Posts: 7642
Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2004 6:40 pm
Location: durham
Contact:

Re: Severe Issue!

Post by PW@Woodsport »

Good stuff, all is not lost! In some cases the JB weld method can actually prolong the life of the engine for a good few years if you're lucky.

If it meant removing the engine to have it welded and machined i think i'd just be going for a fresh engine instead, but you may well buy one with similar issues as they all seem to suffer from it sooner or later.

Let us know how you get on :thumleft:
Image
SuperRedMR2
Posts: 5494
Joined: Mon May 16, 2005 8:40 pm
Location: Wickford, Essex

Re: Severe Issue!

Post by SuperRedMR2 »

This is the Rogue Motorsport Rebuilt engine with the oversize pistons with piston slap.

Is piston slap a major worry?

If they advise me to get it welded but can give me a bit of reassurance that'll it last a while, bearing in mind i do 350 miles a week - I may get it removed and done properly - at the same time get the flywheel fitted and buy an exedy paddle clutch.

I also require a mk1b front bumper bar as its made of rust, cracked and the towing eye almost pulled it apart last night.

Most people would say the car is written off but I love my car and can't let it go!
PW@Woodsport
Posts: 7642
Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2004 6:40 pm
Location: durham
Contact:

Re: Severe Issue!

Post by PW@Woodsport »

I don't feel comfortable commenting on another garages work but a freshly rebuilt engine should never have piston slap. How do you know it's got slap?
Image
SuperRedMR2
Posts: 5494
Joined: Mon May 16, 2005 8:40 pm
Location: Wickford, Essex

Re: Severe Issue!

Post by SuperRedMR2 »

My mate (mechanic) told me it has.

The bores are dull then shiny where the piston is going against it. Two places, front and back of the bore. He described this as piston slap.

I'll try and get photos off of my phone later to illustrate this.

I almost emailed Patrick thanking him for the almost 40k faultless miles I've had - the cylinder head had its ears burning, or its face in this case!

Photos - sorry re quality

Bore
Image
Image

Block
Image
kevin..in
Posts: 3412
Joined: Tue Aug 23, 2005 10:26 am
Location: stoke on trent

Re: Severe Issue!

Post by kevin..in »

well with a poor rebore and the block corroded, i'd say its best to source a new engine rather than throw money at an engine that will ultimately fail again & sooner rather than later
elbon50
Posts: 3598
Joined: Sat Sep 12, 2009 10:29 am
Location: Stafford

Re: Severe Issue!

Post by elbon50 »

Very sorry to read that this has happened Alex

What oversize markings are on the pistons ?

Don't worry about the bumper bar just refit the cover without it

My car has no bar & no foam pad

Peter
SuperRedMR2
Posts: 5494
Joined: Mon May 16, 2005 8:40 pm
Location: Wickford, Essex

Re: Severe Issue!

Post by SuperRedMR2 »

elbon50 wrote:Very sorry to read that this has happened Alex

What oversize markings are on the pistons ?

Don't worry about the bumper bar just refit the cover without it

My car has no bar & no foam pad

Peter


Peter i value the safety and health of my life by having a bumper bar.

What a great member of the HSE you'd make.


0.5mm oversize apparently
elbon50
Posts: 3598
Joined: Sat Sep 12, 2009 10:29 am
Location: Stafford

Re: Severe Issue!

Post by elbon50 »

SuperRedMR2 wrote:
elbon50 wrote:Very sorry to read that this has happened Alex

What oversize markings are on the pistons ?

Don't worry about the bumper bar just refit the cover without it

My car has no bar & no foam pad

Peter


Peter i value the safety and health of my life by having a bumper bar.

What a great member of the HSE you'd make


Lol

Nearly every other used bar will be just a rotten as yours Alex

New ones were still available when I enquired. (at enormous cost)

If you got really lucky you might find someone who has fitted a new one shortly before their car was being scrapped

You have two bulkheads & the froot (crumple zone) between you and any frontal impact

Peter
kevin..in
Posts: 3412
Joined: Tue Aug 23, 2005 10:26 am
Location: stoke on trent

Re: Severe Issue!

Post by kevin..in »

as for front bumper rf bars they do turn up on ebay quite often, i got one in as good as new condition in the summer for nearly no money, haven't fully inspected the one on my car but bought the other one as cheap insurance
I dissagree with the "enourmous" cost quote for what they are the new price isn't at all bad really
elbon50
Posts: 3598
Joined: Sat Sep 12, 2009 10:29 am
Location: Stafford

Re: Severe Issue!

Post by elbon50 »

kevin..in wrote:as for front bumper rf bars they do turn up on ebay quite often, i got one in as good as new condition in the summer for nearly no money, haven't fully inspected the one on my car but bought the other one as cheap insurance
I dissagree with the "enourmous" cost quote for what they are the new price isn't at all bad really


Lol

You can have my bar if you like Alex

Will send you a piccy of it :)

A matter of opinion. In mine they're just dead weight

Shall remove the rear bar & pad when I get round to it

However, I wouldn't want anyone to follow my example if it made them feel unsafe

Peter
SuperRedMR2
Posts: 5494
Joined: Mon May 16, 2005 8:40 pm
Location: Wickford, Essex

Re: Severe Issue!

Post by SuperRedMR2 »

Thank you for the kind offer Peter but as this is not priority ill simply take it off at a later date, take it into work and get it fully welded. Will cut out the rust and weld in insert plates - will probably be stronger than when it first came out of Toyota!

As for the engine, here goes:

The cylinder head has warped - but warped in the middle, cylinder no.3 was showing poor compression so that could be the cause of that. Its being skimmed for £62 inc vat which I thought was reasonable.

The block on the other hand, I showed the same picture that is on here to one of the three engineers at this place and they said as long as its not on the sealing part i.e. the barrel I shouldnt worry about it. I have a chap going to look at it anyway later on this evening just to make sure.

I need the injector seal part numbers from somebody? As we broke two when the fuel rail came out.

Am putting everything back together on Saturday morning. Chaps at engineers said the radiator being bollocksed did not help at all.
Post Reply

Return to “MR2 MK1 1984-1989 NA & SC”