Mentos, the 2001 MR2

[tadekk]

A month in is a good time to start documenting my ownership of Mentos, the 2001 MR2. I've always liked roadsters, so MK3 had been on my radar for a while. Being underpowered, impractical, RWD, mid-engined and manual makes it that much more unusual and interesting compared to most modern cars. A Honda S660 was another option, but I didn't fancy spending 4x more money

Armed with forum guide, I have set out to find the cleanest example I could afford (after being stung by Italian and Japanese rust in the past). This PFL car popped on AT only an hour away from home. One owner, 100% stock, low-mileage and in good colour sounded very good, especially given sub £5k price with a factory hardtop. The owner used the car as a daily until 2008, and then basically put it in a garage. I know this is not the best-case scenario, but at least it feels like nearly new car inside and out with only light surface corrosion on suspension/brake components.

Plan is to ensure its mechanically and structurally sound (which looks likely), and then keep it stock and protect it for the future. I don't have a garage anymore, but I can stay on top of keeping it clean. I also have another daily for wet weather, so fingers crossed it will be enough. At least that way it will be driven (I'm no stranger to top-down motoring in winter).

The good:

• Totally original and unmolested
• Interior feels new and everything works
• Underbody is super clean
• Good service history (at least mileage-based) and paperwork

The bad:

• Engine was bogging (faulty MAF)
• 9 year old CSC2 tires (but no cracks w/out UV exposure)

The ugly:

• Alloys are flaking badly (but solid)
• The rear quarter panels are dented on both sides (likely from jacking)
• There are some bumper/wing scratches that were touched-up (badly)

To-do list:

• Basic service
• New MAF
• A/C service
• All fluid changes
• LMR UJ boot
• Remove pre-cats
• Rear QP dent repairs
• Krown anti-rust treatment
• Red cloth seats
• New tyres + alloy refurb

[tadekk]

15 Jun 2024 at 32,770

First thing off the list was actually an A/C service, since I do it on all cars religiously every 2 years 

The system worked as-is, but there was only half the R134a left Brett from Vehicools (thoroughly recommended) spotted a weeping bottom joint on the condenser, but advised against touching it unless absolutely necessary. Hopefully it's been like that for a while, and it's not losing much. TBC in 2026

[puma2]

  nice find even better when local
good to see your getting stuck in
keep up the good work and lets us no how you get on  

[cptspaulding]

Nice clear headlights. Nice find 

[Trebordoody]

Looking good so far

Many cars don't look good in blue, but yours looks awesome in that colour!

[tadekk]

18 Jun 2024 at 32,771

I have replaced the MAF for a Denso DMA-0108 which instantly cured the bogging and hesitation at low revs and made the engine very happy.

Basic service (oil, filters and plugs) was done next, courtesy of MR2-BEN. I think I will go to Toyota next time, as I'd like to use the OEM air filter - the Crossland one seemed flimsier than the (very old) Denso I took out.

Oil and plugs were lovely and clean, but I forgot to take a pic I will take the cam cover off one day to double-check for sludge, but I think there will be none given the history.

Two questions on the plastic engine cover:

• Two plastic "plugs" have snapped, what would be the way to extract the stems (replaced with bolts temporarily)?
• Why would the cover bow above the "VVT"?

[J88TEO]

Why would the cover bow above the "VVT"?

Heat.

[tadekk]

Heat.

I guess it's pretty common as I can find 4 bowed ones on eBay in the same spot (and no straight ones)

[Ardent]

They revised it with a rib that runs along the back edge.

[tadekk]

They revised it with a rib that runs along the back edge.

Nice find, do you know the part # and if it would fit a PFL? Not a priority today but it will bug me one day

[tadekk]

14 Jul 2024 at 32,957

Replaced the gearbox oil with Redline MT-90. Speedo plug wasn't playing ball, so I had to do it "properly" This might have been better, since I had 100ml leftover (i.e. 2 qrts would've been too much).

The forum "how to" was confusing about what is the filler plug. The only one I could find on my 2001 box was the 24mm one (identical to the drain one).

TBH can't tell a massive difference in shifting, but it's one less thing to worry about after 20 years

[tadekk]

18 Jul 2024 at 32,962

Quarter panels straightened as per my original topic: https://www.mr2roc.org/index.php?topic=74998

While the arch liners were out on all 4 corners, I had a good look and a wash underneath and all looks solid and blue, which makes for a nice change from my previous projects

Also, I hate the square front liner clips - are they meant to be used to hold the liner directly or with a screw?

[Carolyn]

18 Jul 2024 32,962

Quarter panels straightened as per my original topic: https://www.mr2roc.org/index.php?topic=74998

While the arch liners were out on all 4 corners, I had a good look and a wash underneath and all looks solid and blue, which makes for a nice change from my previous projects

Also, I hate the square front liner clips - are they meant to be used to hold the liner directly or with a screw?

With a screw.

[tadekk]

With a screw.

Ah that explains why I found them so frustrating. Someone pushed all 6 into the car through the liner, so I had to really fight them (not my photo, but same setup).

I will prefer to get some screws - can you share a picture of one?

[Carolyn]

I have just had a look to remind myself.  As you can see the screws on mine are also holding the optional mud-flaps on.

Other fasteners are push-fit plastic clips similar to the ones that hold the plastic surround in the frunk.

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[tadekk]

21 Jul 2024 at 32,984

Flushed the power steering fluid with Ravenol E-PSF. Very easy job, used 1.7l total and I'm not sure if I could get it any clearer if I tried.

I suppose not using Toyota EH fluid means I can't claim "no expense spared" if I ever sell 

[Ardent]

Nice find, do you know the part # and if it would fit a PFL? Not a priority today but it will bug me one day

@tadekk
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[inigopete]

I guess it's pretty common as I can find 4 bowed ones on eBay in the same spot (and no straight ones)

I've just checked mine - also bowed in the same spot!

[tadekk]

29 Jul 2024 at 33,115

Roadtrip to Rogue Motorsport to tick off last few items on my checklist. Pre-cats were gutted, coolant + brake + clutch fluid changed and suspension alignment adjusted. I could probably do most of it on the driveway, but those are the jobs I would not enjoy. That concludes replacement of every fluid on the car (bar the windscreen washer, but that's OK)

Very happy with with service and attention to details. Shame it is quite a trek from Wokingham, but I skipped the M40 on the way back and enjoyed lovely sunshine drive with the roof down.

[tadekk]

3 Aug 2024 at 33,358

Another roadtrip, this time to Krown Rust Proofing in Tipton. I know underbody protection is a controversial topic, so everyone should make their own decisions. I like the fact that Krown is clear and non-permanent, but I appreciate that working on a "sticky" car is less fun (which is why I did this last)

Owner Rob is a great guy and a real pro at what he does. He did say it's one of the best MR2s he had in his shop, which was nice to hear 

[tadekk]

30 Nov 2024 at 33,920

After few months of procrastinating, I finally cleaned, assembled and fitted red cloth seats in the car. Absolutely love the way it looks and much prefer the way cloth feels. I also managed to fit Osram Night Breakers (picture shows difference) and dry the insides of both headlights, even if the OSF will need another go.

[Bossworld]

15 Jun 2024 at 32,770

First thing off the list was actually an A/C service, since I do it on all cars religiously every 2 years 

The system worked as-is, but there was only half the R134a left Brett from Vehicools (thoroughly recommended) spotted a weeping bottom joint on the condenser, but advised against touching it unless absolutely necessary. Hopefully it's been like that for a while, and it's not losing much. TBC in 2026

Appreciate you've earmarked this as a 2026 task, but the Toyota o-ring seals to the condenser are an unusual size, as I found out when replacing mine with a local AC specialist. After many years of non use on your car, odds are they've dried out?

I went through a puddle and subsequently lost the refrigerant to thermal shock. The proper o rings are expensive from Toyota (was maybe £9 for the pair 6 years ago) but the car's a/c continued to be OK after that until the compressor eventually kicked the bucket.

Looks like lots of good progress on the car!

[tadekk]

After many years of non use on your car, odds are they've dried out?

There is some evidence of leakage from the joint under UV light, but it does not seem excessive. I'm very nervous of splitting the old joint having seen what the process looked on my old (admittedly neglected) Alfa 156