Dripping/Slow TIck noise when engine off/ Engine dipstick Check/ Other questions

[Asura]

Hi,

I bought an 05 MR2 a few days ago. I plan on having the underside checked on a ramp etc to check properly for rust to try to fix up a bit. The rear subframe appears to be a in a good condition.

I noticed that after I drive the car, there's this dripping noise and I can't seem to find where it's coming from. I tried to look underneath for any spillages and there doesn't seem to be any.

I thought perhaps it could be something related to the timing chain tensioner. I did my best to take a picture of it, so apologies if you can't really make it out.

How much rust would you expect is okay on a car this old and I'm guessing the oil level seems to be okay from this picture?

I intend to get the car serviced real soon.

[Topdownman]

Hello and welcome.

The oil level looks fine on that picture although it is hard to read them, especially with new oil.

Not sure where you are but if you could get to Willenhall, I would recommend going to MrTwos for a service and check over of the car. He knows the cars very well and will advise on anything that needs doing.

Otherwise I would just read up on here and use the car to get to know it. I would check and clear the roof drains though as they can cause strange sloshing sounds if not clear!

There will be surface rust on the car and this can look very bad but often all it needs is wire brushing, rust treatment and a coat of paint. You should find lots of threads with pictures of rust!

Enjoy the car.

[paulj]

The timing chain tensioner is a reasonably easy replacement, there is a how to on here.  They do wear so if youve done more than 60k miles its worth the cost of a new one.  Biggest issue is freeing the nuts (one is in your photo) but hopefully surface rust and penetrating oil and gentle pressure with a deep socket (six sided please) will get the nut moving.

[Asura]

Hello and welcome.

The oil level looks fine on that picture although it is hard to read them, especially with new oil.

Not sure where you are but if you could get to Willenhall, I would recommend going to MrTwos for a service and check over of the car. He knows the cars very well and will advise on anything that needs doing.

Otherwise I would just read up on here and use the car to get to know it. I would check and clear the roof drains though as they can cause strange sloshing sounds if not clear!

There will be surface rust on the car and this can look very bad but often all it needs is wire brushing, rust treatment and a coat of paint. You should find lots of threads with pictures of rust!

Enjoy the car.

Thank you!

I'm based around Manchester, is there anyone around Manchester area? Ideally I plan to make a list of things to sort out as soon as possible. But other than that, looking forward to working on the car there and there, it's lightweight and small so imo for what I want out of it, there's little to be done other than learn the car and respect it's layout.

I also need to get the ABS lights checked too. Apparently it could be the sensors, otherwise the brakes feel fine.

[Asura]

The timing chain tensioner is a reasonably easy replacement, there is a how to on here.  They do wear so if youve done more than 60k miles its worth the cost of a new one.  Biggest issue is freeing the nuts (one is in your photo) but hopefully surface rust and penetrating oil and gentle pressure with a deep socket (six sided please) will get the nut moving.

How much are for new tcts, I saw they're around £60 from MR2 ben, is there any other places that is cheaper?

[Asura]

Also, when I start the car, there is a squeaking noise but it does go away once the engines warmed up. I'm suspecting that's the alternator belt?

[moredun]

Have you checked for coolant leak?  it could be leaking and dripping onto the front tray ...

[Topdownman]

There are hardly any "specialists" in these cars left now. Whilst there is no reason why you cant go to any decent garage for work on them, I prefer to use someone who does know about the problems with the car and what to look for. Setting up the handbrake is a good example of this! Thats why I travel to MrTwos despite the distance.

Monitoring oil and coolant levels is a definitely a good idea and just driving it. May be worth looking into getting and obd code reader for when your engine management light comes on!

[Carolyn]

The oil looks pretty black on the dipstick photo, so a decent service is called for. See: https://www.mr2roc.org/index.php?topic=67536.0  Then keep an eye on the oil consumption.

The chain tensioner O ring that Toyota provides is poor, they often don't seal properly even when new.

See:  https://www.mr2roc.org/index.php?topic=56959.0

If you send me a PM with your address, I'll send you one that does the job better.  Courtesy of the club.

[Asura]

There are hardly any "specialists" in these cars left now. Whilst there is no reason why you cant go to any decent garage for work on them, I prefer to use someone who does know about the problems with the car and what to look for. Setting up the handbrake is a good example of this! Thats why I travel to MrTwos despite the distance.

Monitoring oil and coolant levels is a definitely a good idea and just driving it. May be worth looking into getting and obd code reader for when your engine management light comes on!

The oil level seems fine, but will check into the coolant, it looked fine yesterday. But will drive it around and see what happens. I suspect the tapping noise is the same since I heard one in another car so In assuming its the cool off period. I will look into mrtwo and might make a day out of it.

I have an OBD2 reader ready!

[Asura]

Have you checked for coolant leak?  it could be leaking and dripping onto the front tray ...

Will definitely have a look, i did kind of check the coolant levels and it it seemed to be fine. But will thoroughly check tonight.

[McMr2]

The oil level seems fine, but will check into the coolant, it looked fine yesterday. But will drive it around and see what happens. I suspect the tapping noise is the same since I heard one in another car so In assuming its the cool off period. I will look into mrtwo and might make a day out of it.

I have an OBD2 reader ready!

The ticking/pinging when cooling is quite noticeable compared to other cars.

Regarding the oil/coolant/squeaking it sounds like a good service is in order, nothing major just some TLC.

Despite the horror stories of subframes and pre-cats these are Toyota's so generally tough little cars.

[paulj]

How much are for new tcts, I saw they're around £60 from MR2 ben, is there any other places that is cheaper?

I got my toyota oem tensioner from TCB Parts in Launceston.  They have a website but the best way to deal with them it to phone.  I cannot remember the price but would think nearer £30 than £60....

[Asura]

Here's some update from tonight. Checked my coolant level before I did some driving around. then i turned the ignition and i noticed a few things. Alot of smoke on cold start - guessing this could be due to the really cold weather lately, so i let the car warm up.

The engine is quite loud and this is when I started up the engine:

https://youtube.com/shorts/qs-f_qcIpFo?feature=share

And these are after the quick drive:

https://youtube.com/shorts/AbByRfBui68?feature=sharehttps://youtube.com/shorts/AF6Sm-WajXM?

feature=sharehttps://youtu.be/FnNI8xHYKmI

before test drive pictures:







after test drive pictures:

[Dev]

It sounds normal or unremarkable to me but then again I would have to be there to judge if it is louder than typical. Mechanically it sounds fine.
  Also it's very difficult to judge the coolant level because the level fluctuates with pressure and at rest when it settles down. It is a poor indication of the coolant quantity. The best way to know is to wait for the car to be dead cold and then fill to the full line. After that observe the level when the car is cold again which should be just above the low mark. After that watch it for the next few days and if it does not move any lower the the low mark when cold you should be good and there is nothing to worry about.

 What I would also do is clean up the oil residue where you suspect any leaks and then observe fresh oil. Also it wouldn't be a bad idea to check your downpipes flex sections.

[normanh]

Heat shields on the catalyst contracting on cooling where the fixings have corroded, noticed this on mine until the cat was changed.

Norman

[Asura]

Checked oil level and again and it seemed fine, a bit low but should be okay. Other than MRtwo, is there anywhere in the North-West area that you'd reccomend for servicing/checkups?

[Ardent]

No specialist required for servicing or check ups.

Might not be very common cars.
But simple Toyota mechanics.
All you need is just a good old fashioned competent mechanic.

[Asura]

Managed to find a decent reviewed toyota mechanic called toyotech. Will try with them!

[Joesson]

Managed to find a decent reviewed toyota mechanic called toyotech. Will try with them!

Please let others know how you get on.

[idiotgap]

Managed to find a decent reviewed toyota mechanic called toyotech. Will try with them!

The one near Redhill/Salfords?

Edited to add.. I guess not, I see you are nr Manchester

[Asura]

The one near Redhill/Salfords?

Edited to add.. I guess not, I see you are nr Manchester

Yes, indeed. It seems that they're pretty good for services and repairs for Toyotas and I think the main guy has done alot of work on the MR2s.