Identifying engine noises.... MR2 turbo

[androo007]

Hi guys,

Today I bought another MR2 sold with suspected big end failure.

The previous owner bought the car a year ago with HG failure and replaced. Not sure on technical skill level (not in a b!tchy) way but as to unsure if gaskets replaced etc that should be.

A month before the car was taken off the road the turbo went and was replaced with another. Final straw was the car later started chuffing smoke and noisy (not sure if at same time) a month later.


I’ve got the car home and started up and I'm sure there's some pretty big issues, but I'm reluctant to say bottom end.

Really after some help with this one to see what the masters think...

Symptoms:

1) Overball Engine noise.. Here's a video on idle and just above. Owner mentioned exhaust manifold may not be seated properly. Sound like it? Or sound like proper knock? To me it's all top end. It's like a diesel!!!!!

https://youtu.be/puWB8o5QwVM
https://youtu.be/H47eDbUnLSM

2) White smoke on idle after revving. Only when warm after revving.

Could this be the replacement ct26 was cr@p? Smoke Def white not blue, and doesn't do it on idle so I'm reluctant to think HG.


Additionally, under heavy boost it gets to about 4k and violently jerks and cuts power - not fuel cut nor an ems light.

Not knock sensor as it'll happily rev past that under light load.

Given the car is potentially a breaker (no MOT) I'm after trying to get a diagnosis as cheap as possible. Pete is too far away for me fund at the moment as all monies gone on other car.

Whilst I did intend on breaking it is just too good. Body in great condition, gearbox sweet and some nice upgrades. It's just too good to tear apart.....

[androo007]

....

[Ryan S]

It's hard to tell due to it sounding like a tractor but from that video it doesn't seem like it's knocking at all (i have diagnosed a bottom end knock correctly via video before haha). Either the exhaust manifold gasket or the mani to turbo gasket is gone though! I wouldn't say the car was done for yet though!

[androo007]

Thats right, yeah appreicated it is very hard to tell.

Gave Pete a quick call this morning (poor guy must be sick of me calling) and he explained if it was bottom end it would normally be a slower knock - not like the rapid diesel noise.... although I did only explain it verbally.

[Ryan S]

Thats right, yeah appreicated it is very hard to tell.

Gave Pete a quick call this morning (poor guy must be sick of me calling) and he explained if it was bottom end it would normally be a slower knock - not like the rapid diesel noise.... although I did only explain it verbally.

Sometimes you'll find that the knock can dissapear at certain revs too. I don't think it is the bottom end. Replace the gaskets and see how it sounds

[androo007]

Having had a bit more time today, i've looked around and it seems very possible its a leak....

How easy is it to remove the turbo and manifold?

[Ryan S]

Having had a bit more time today, i've looked around and it seems very possible its a leak....

How easy is it to remove the turbo and manifold?

Very doable mate. Just start cracking on with it and you'll be done in no time. All of it comes out from the top but you'll need to (at least i did) to go underneath for the turbo oil feed. However, you probably won't need to undo it if you're just doing the gaskets

[androo007]

Thats true.

I'm wondering as its a recent problem if i can at least try and do a "suck and see" test by nipping up all bolts to see if it seals even temporarily.

[Ryan S]

Thats true.

I'm wondering as its a recent problem if i can at least try and do a "suck and see" test by nipping up all bolts to see if it seals even temporarily.

You never know, they could just be loose!! My rev3 tubby soun led just like this car, the turbo wasn't even hand tight to the manifold! Tightened up and it was fine! Worth a punt!

[markstevieandmads]

That doesn't sound terminal to me either.

I'd def redo gaskets and renew the oil and see how you get on.

[androo007]

Thanks guys, Pete also advised a compression check too, good idea given its an unknown quantity and you never know what else might be going on...

OK so some good / bad news. Tonight started the strip down

Turbo has shat itself - soaking wet on the inlet. Good news, that likely explains the white smoke. Bad news.... need a replacement ct26.

At this stage I'm wiped out, if anyone has a ct26 lying around that isn't knackered and fancies selling cheap please do let me know. I'm going to try and get Thursday off work so if could get by them that would be amazing....

Second item - exhaust manifold. Seller mentioned it may not "be on right" - he isn't wrong. As in, it's not off yet but there are washers on some of the studs..... wtf..... I think the top edge isn't on straight.

I'm going to assume it's warped. So again, if anyone has a bog standard manifold & 2 studs (they aren't even the right length!) You'd be my hero.

Hoping to get the DP and rest off tomorrow. Just 1 stubborn DP nut to do but taking it super slow and patient.

[Ryan S]

I'd say all of that was good news compared to needing the big ends replaced dude

[androo007]

Yeah definitely. If it is that...!

Really liking black MR2, have to say it makes me wish I'd got my main one in black to start with! Anyway.... hopefully some more progress tomorrow.


Thanks for all the help so far.

[Martin F]

I'd say all of that was good news compared to needing the big ends replaced dude

Agree, from what I can hear on the clip it sounds like it's coming from the camshafts area, maybe the shims not a major issue, do you not still have a bottom end Andrew ? , remember you advertising one from a rev 3...

[pbmr2]

first vid sounds like gasses

2nd vid there is more of a top end noise going on. there is a regular noise but not hearing the rattle/sound I'd expect to on the over run. Timing sounds a bit out, it's running a little lumpy.

Purely from the vids, it doesn't sound like an obvious big end. If it has started to go a little bit then it's still repairable at this stage. again just going on what I could hear in the vids.

If gaskets don't solve it, drop the oil and the sump and check the play on the big ends. can be done with the engine in the car, exhaust mid section prob needs to come off though.

Good luck, hope it's something simple. It's not past saving even if it is bearings.

[androo007]

Cheers, yeah I do still have the bottom end so could salvage.... but tbh i don't have the tools or expertise so I'd have to break the car if that as I'd expect an engine swap to be around a grand which isn't worth it financially.



Now the only odd thing is u found a notepad in the history and it's a list from when the HG was changed, referring to swapping things from bad head to good.....

I think the shims are a mile out too. But, given the turbo is dead and the manifold is on wonky / warped it's not wasted time anyway.

[androo007]

Reading about how a lot of manifold studs snap in the head and how all the manifolds are warped....

This that Internet bullsh!t going on by chance? The manifolds are cast, how the hell can they warp? I guess a straight edge will show that?

[pbmr2]

Have only ever read about rev1 manifolds warping, never seen it happen.

Never seen a 3s stud snap outside of a crash.

[androo007]

thats interesting then.

I wonder why this manifold was put on wonky.... lots of washers (3) on the central top stud - not even sure if it is a toyota one. Need to investigate really.... hope he didnt snap a previous one and just jam this one in.

Havent seen any evidence of exhaust leaks yet, but either way needs to come off to sort the bodge.

[pbmr2]

Ah sounds like a scrapper, break it for parts