After just two months of ownership, I noticed that the engine was idling very rough so I decided to get it checked out. It was crushing news. Following a leak down test it was established that cylinder 3 was haemorrhaging air and that a potential rebuild was on the cards.On the depressing journey to pick up my poorly tubby I was in two minds as to whether to repair the car or break it and sell it for spares.
A glimmer of hope presented itself when we found out that the engine was rebuilt just over a year ago with forged pistons and that a head rebuild could potentially save the engine and get the tubby firing on all cylinders again.Month after month the car sat in the garage gathering dust whilst I saved the pennies to get the budget together for the repair.
Several months of scrimping and saving later I finally had enough for the repair. After speaking to several specialists, I came across a company called Japauto-Speed (based in Wolverhampton) owned by a very friendly and experienced chap called Roland. Roland and his company specialises in most Japanese cars, but in particular cars which contain the 3sgte/3sge engines (i.e. MR2s and Celicas). Following a lengthy phone call, Roland assured me he could get my car back on the road and offered a very competitive price for the head rebuild along with some other work that was needed.So after agreeing a date, I took the car up to Japauto-Speed where I met Roland, who I must say is a top bloke.
He gave the car a quick once over and was confident that he could get the car back to its best again. After discussing the work requirements and offering to take photos of the rebuild he even gave me a lift to the station!Now its just a nail-biting waiting game as the diagnosis and work gets done
- hopefully Ill be able to get the car back on the road for Christmas. Ill keep you posted
