MR2 Blue smoke on acceleration - all of a sudden big increase

[B_Tank88]

I've been driving my roadster for about 35k miles now, and have been keeping the oil burning manageable, but today, it was hugely increased, all of a sudden.

At one point was lots of smoke at low speeds, and after a little bit of extremely careful driving while keeping very close eye on oil and coolant levels, it's slightly reduced but still a lot more than it was before under acceleration.

Precats were removed 35k miles ago right after I bought it (had just started disintegrating at that point). PCV has been replaced.

A few times I felt very hesitant acceleration as well, but it's inconsistent.

Is it on it's last legs..?

[bobo83]

How much oil does it use ? My previous mr2 burned through 1l / 200 miles without any smoke.

[B_Tank88]

How much oil does it use ? My previous mr2 burned through 1l / 200 miles without any smoke.

Mine uses around 1l every 1500 miles, and it has since I bought the car I keep a close eye on it.

I don't know how much it's using now with the extra smoke, will need to drive it a while.

[bobo83]

That oil consumption is what the manual calls "within spec".

Have you tried a compression test ? This will give you an indication of the engine's health.

[SurreyMR2]

Good to hear I am not alone with a burner 🤣.

I also get no smoke unless left idling for 15 mins or so then revved up, but even then it is not excessive. When driven I get no smoke unless it's dark on unlit road with car with led lights behind, can then see a small amount under hard acceleration.

I am very most likely going to remove engine over winter, replace rings, pistons, clutch, thermostat, hoses, timing chain, head gasket, valve stem oil seals & get get head machined & bores honed. Before I do this I'm trying one last thing in vain hope of reducing oil consumption. I did an oil flush with liqymoly, new oil & filter, now got 120ml seafoam in the oil that I will run for up to 300 miles, then plugs out & spray seafoam in bores, turn engine over by hand & add seafoam every couple of days and turn engine by hand. Once can emptied I will remove any extra fluid from cylinders, start car up to get engine warm & do oil & filter change. Not expecting amazing results but figure it's worth a try 🤞


If, that's a big IF, it then uses less oil I will replace valve stem seals. If no change then it's time for engine overhaul mentioned above.

As my Zero sports cat is only 300 miles old I have removed this as don't want oil to damage the cat. Strangely I prefer the way it sounds with Gravity header, OE cat & Zero single exit exhaust 🤔🤣

[Bugster_MR2]

My first MR2 did the same. Tolerable oil consumption for a while, then suddenly one of the precats failed and then the oil consumption became so extreme I had misfires.

[SurreyMR2]

Update from me, all the flushing, soaking bores & 5w-40 oil made no difference!

I decided to replace my engine and i have a 62k late engine going in to my car in next couple of weeks.

Engine number confirms it is definitely a revised piston engine 

New sump (was rather crusty), clutch, oils, coolant, water pump, plugs etc being fitted.

All aux belt stuff coming from old engine as replaced recently.

Keeping old engine for spares as it runs like a dream.

[puma2]

  lets us how you get on with the new one

[B_Tank88]

I drove my MR2 from the garage back home via a detour the other day, after is passed it's MOT.

There was no smoke at all.

Wtf?

[SurreyMR2]

Have you replaced the PCV?

[B_Tank88]

Have you replaced the PCV?

Yes I replaced it about 3 years ago.

Could it be that again?

[Carolyn]

Yes I replaced it about 3 years ago.

Could it be that again?

Unlikely.