VVTI Malfunction and EML Light

[TheSilverFox]

First time poster here as I have just bought an 06 MR2 with 55,000  s:) s:)  

Having some problems however...

After I'd bought it from the dealer the EML came on. Took it to my local garage who diagnosed it as a VVTI Malfunction.

Rang up the dealer who said that he will get his mechanics to have a look at it.

The mechanic assured me that it was because a solenoid might be clogged up with oil/gunk and will need cleaning or replacing and it happens a lot with Toyota VVTI engines.

Haven't heard back from him yet but I'm a little concerned. I spent £3690 on this for a treat for my birthday.

From what I've read on here it seems to come and go on these cars.

What should I do!!!

[Carolyn]

Take it back to the dealer and have them fix it.  Not a massive job and should be covered under the standard dealer warranty.  The VVTI valve can fail/gink up and there is a small filter near it on the engine that should also be cleaned.

Welcome, by the way, and enjoy your car. A 2006 is a good one.

[mikek]

We had/have the same problem with the wife's car. Changed the filter, no difference. Local garage said don't worry about it it just sticks for a split second and is then fine. Took it to the toyota specialist and he said exactly the same as it could cost upto £1000 to sort properly. He suggested buying a code reader and turning the eml off after double checking it was the same code! Car runs fine and no damage is being done.

[insx]

Could this be a faulty oil control valve like I had? I replaced the valve with a salvaged one and all is good now.

[TheSilverFox]

Heard back from the mechanic.

Has given car an fuel flush, cleaned out filters, oil filter, cleaned solenoid and cleaned cam cover. It's been given at 45 minute drive and all is fine. I'm picking it up tomorrow and they said they'd test it in the morning.

Thanks Carolyn! I enjoyed the one stress free day I've had with it. It was a toss up between the MR2 and the MX5. The MX5 looked a bit... well... gayer? than the MR2. Fingers crossed it should be okay.

[1979scotte]

What is wrong with being happy?

[Carolyn]

You're going to have so much fun this summer.

Make sure you get the oil changed at least every 5,000 miles and the gremlins will stay away. Clean engine and oil are what she needs.

[Joesson]

What Scotte and Carolyn said.
Also, Happy Birthday, nice present!

[Ardent]

Hello and welcome Silverfox.

From your post. The mechanic assured you the solenoid might be clogged up. Is there much service history with the car. If had regular oil changes should not be clogged up.
There can be issues with 2s. But dodgy VVti is not one of them. Things can go wrong the bottom end. But top end wise extremely rare.
As carolyn said they can clog but that implies poor maintenace.

Did they tel you what the code was?
As above buy a code reader yourself. Cheap as chips.
I am intrigued as to why the mechanic would do a fuel flush, did they say why.
As above regular oil changes from here. A lot of us on here change twice a year regardless of miles.

Where in leicestershire are you?
I am in Leicester.

Good idea to get into the habit of checking the oil.
If they have changed the oil filter presume fresh clean oil as well. What did they put in?
Might be  a simple typo on your part. But there is only one oil control valve oil filter. Not filter(s) So if they say filters ask them to show you.
Many more knowledgable types on here, but would really like to know their reasoning for a fuel flush.

Just for clarity, I do not wish to be seen as raining on your parade. More, not wanting to see an owner get stiffed by a dealer.

Jason

For a totaly unbiased professional opinion I can personally recommend Steve at  m http://www.d1customs.co.uk/ m
He will be able perform a simple test on the VVTi to establish if it working or not.

[Jock]

What is wrong with being happy?

Nothing really Scotte   s:bowdown: :bowdown: s:bowdown:  .  Its just that the other 6 were not   s:lol: :lol: s:lol:  .

[TheSilverFox]

Hi Ardent,

I have a service book all fully stamped and has had a major service annually. Previous owner was a lady who had it for 5 years and I ave a feeling it's been sitting around for a while.

Local garage didn't tell me the exact code but I think it was P1349.

They didn't say why they did a fuel flush but I'm going to call the dealer today to get a number for the mechanic to see what he says.

They've changed oil, not sure what type and yes was a typo.

I live in Melton Mowbray but work in Leicester, on St Margarets Way. Well they said 'flush', not being a mechanical minded person I assumed this meant a fuel flush. I'll ask to clarify.

[Joesson]

Maybe this was an " oil flush" then which would seem to be more suitable treatment for the symptoms.

[Carolyn]

Maybe this was an " oil flush" then which would seem to be more suitable treatment for the symptoms.

That was my thought too.  In which case, the mechanic did a pretty thorough job.  A dealer does not want to see a car keep coming back with faults and will generally do his best to make sure he doesn 't see it again.  mind you, I would want to know what the fault actually was.

If the car has a good service history, all should be O.K., though it is strange that something would have gummed up.

[Wabbitkilla]

It's a fair way of attempting a fix .... just make sure the EML comes on with ignition and then goes off when running. It has been known for disreputable dealers to destroy or cover the eml.

The VVTi oil control valve can wear out, it's a moving part .... pretty easy to replace and not massibely expensive. Plus you can test it's working yourself with little fingers and a couple of wires to the battery.

The vvti controller on the end of the inlet camshaft can also be a cause and that's a fair bit more involved to replace, not engine-out necessary but it can be "fun" to do.

Just keep an eye one it and enjoy driving the car, mechanice sounds like he's being reasonable so I have a good feeling about this.

[onion86]

If it is the P1349 I had some issues with this in the past due to previous owner mistreatment.

Not trying to scare you, but just be aware that mine sometimes had a very large number of miles before the EML came back on. e.g. reset code... changed oil... drove 400 miles to Paris... drove around Paris for 2 days... drove back to England... P1349 came on again 10 miles after starting up again at Dover. However, I never had an issue with the performance of the car at any point from the P1349.

[insx]

I think it was P1349 that led me to replace my oil control valve. I was lucky to get one for £25 from a breaker as most want to keep it with the engine.

[Ardent]

Silverfox

Fancy a little meet up Sat?
Flying Childers?
Chit chat

[CrazySX]

I was going to say the same as Ardent, service histories can be made up.

Although wabbitkilla had a point to and the mechanic seems to be pulling all the right moves to fix it. Just tell them that you want the fix warranted for 1000 miles and get it in writing. If they are genuine people they should do it for you.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

[TheSilverFox]

Right ladies and gents!

I have an update.

Got car back, ran fine. Then light back on...

Not happy

Rang up dealer. Says he's going to replace the OCV with a brand new part and give the car a thorough going over and if the light comes back on again... full refund  s:) s:)  

I'm picking the car up this afternoon (hopefully). Any tales of the light coming back on following an OCV replacement? If so length of time/miles it takes? I'd like to highlight it with the dealer.

Thanks,

[onion86]

I'm picking the car up this afternoon (hopefully). Any tales of the light coming back on following an OCV replacement? If so length of time/miles it takes? I'd like to highlight it with the dealer.

Yup! As above, had already replaced my OCV and filter.

[Carolyn]

I hate to see you give up on what is quite a special little car.  One that should really be a 'keeper'
IF the OCV valve replacement doesn't do the trick...
Cunning plan:  You KNOW the dealer does not  want the car back.  Suggest that he pays for Steve at D1 Customs to run a diagnostic test.
I think they are doing their honest best but lack the specialist knowledge needed.
Worth a punt?

[Ardent]

I would second that.
I would also say if the dealer does not go for it. I would still recommend you take to Steve for him to diagnose.
Some good roads between Melton and Lough. It's driving ok so no issue getting there and back.

[Steve@D1Customs]

the ECU runs 2 trip logic detection, ignition on.. engine running, vehicle driving, is 1 trip!  DTC fault following the "2 trip detection logic" When a malfunction is first detected, the DTC is temporarily stored in the ECU memory or Pending codes  as would be monitored via the IT2 (1st trip). If the same malfunction is detected again during the second trip... 2nd engine run cycle, the second detection will cause the Check enigne light to illuminate (2nd Trip) and alert the driver.

[TheSilverFox]

Thanks for everybody's replies, they are very much appreciated.

I picked the car up on Monday and the dealer told me the mechanic has now replaced the OCV with a brand new part. Apparently when the OCV went in the EML didn't turn on and there was no need to wipe the code. Which sounds very positive!

I have been driving it from Melton to Leicester to work everyday without an issues. The dealer has said that there won't be much he can do if the light comes after 6 months or so. Which is plenty of time. I'm hoping this problem has been put to bed now.

I can now focus on some of the other issues i'm having. Which aren't really appropriate with this thread but I'm going to take a closer look at them this weekend.

I will also say that this is one of the friendliest car clubs I've come across! I'm very glad there's an MR2 specialist so close to me too!

Thanks

[1979scotte]

Just make sure the light comes on when you start it along with all the other warning lights.