MR2 Roadster Owners Club

The Workshop => Maintenance, Problems & Troubleshooting => Topic started by: Anonymous on September 1, 2003, 10:34

Title: Power flat spot.......
Post by: Anonymous on September 1, 2003, 10:34
Has anyone had this happen to them.........

Was driving up to sunny Sheffield on Saturday for a birthday party. Car was running sweet, as usual, but tried to overtake an old middle lane hogging dodderer. Accelerated lovely up to about 4500-4600rpm, then all of a sudden it was loke someone just cutting the fuel back and the power just halved for some reason (or at least it felt like it!). Now, before you all completely flame me for this, I wanted to try and see where exactly this flat spot had appeared, so I did a couple of acceleration tests in various gears to see if it wasn't just me reading too much into things, but I tried revving the engine in 3rd, 4th and 5th over 4500rpm (yes, this DID equate to over 100mph at a couple of points. Normally, I would NEVER do that!) and the flat spot was still there. It really struggled to get the car going forward over that engine speed, yet below 4500rpm, the acceleration was a vivid as ever!

This got me worried, but we were nearly at our destination and the car felt completely fine otherwise, so I carried on. The car then wasn't touched until relatively late on Sunday evening on the drive back. So, to see if the car was still doing it, I had another go at accelerating over 4500rpm and the car is completely fine! I just don't get it. It FLYS around the rev counter now.

I am going to keep an eye on it and give it a blat every now and then and see if there is anything wrong on long term, but does anyone know of anything like this happening on other peoples cars and is it worth me getting it to the dealer for them to have a look, even though the problem, touch wood, isn't there at this moment?

A little worried by this......any ideas?
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Post by: Slacey on September 1, 2003, 11:12
Almost sounds to me as the VVTi wasn't working correctly, ie the valves weren't lifting when they should, which is around the rev range you mention, IIRC.   s:?: :?: s:?:
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Post by: Anonymous on September 1, 2003, 11:17
Surely if that were the case though, the acceleration would be the same as it was previously... 'cause cars without VVTi certainly don't flat spot.

Only time I've had what you describe was when I bounced if off the rev limiter (oops).

Doesn't sound good though... did you get the engine warning light on?
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Post by: Anonymous on September 1, 2003, 11:19
I get this as well, thought it may be something to do with the air density as it was after some rain, guess i was wrong then lol
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Post by: Tem on September 1, 2003, 11:30
Isn't the powerloss above 4500rpm the first sign of broken precats...?

Check your oils...often.
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Post by: mph on September 1, 2003, 12:19
Check your oil. The ECU won't switch the VVTi unless you have good oil pressure.
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Post by: Anonymous on September 1, 2003, 12:24
Oh god! Bugger! None of this sounds good!

Well, the power loss isn't there at the moment. Just been out in it and its fine, for now.

Before I go on ANY journey over about 100miles, I always check the oil and the oil was nice and high and very clean, so I don't think there is too mich of a problem there. Will check it again later though, in case it has dropped since the journey.

And it did feel like the VVTi wasn't working correctly. It was a very weird sensation. Got to about the 4500rpm mark and the car felt like it had quickly had an eleastic band attached to the back of the car. It kept going, but without the pull that it had. Normally, (and I know this is bad), it would FLY to 100mph, but not this time. Really struggled over 4500rpm and took a while to get there.

I will continue to check on the oil and will also give it a balt every now and then to check that it is OK.

The Pre-cats. How can I get those checked to see if they are knackered and if they are, what are the consequences to the car and the engine? And almost as importantly, as my car is now out of warranty, how much are they toget fixed if they are knackered?

I am getting quite scared now........
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Post by: Tem on September 1, 2003, 12:33
Check your exhaust pipe...do you see tiny white particles on it? Those are pieces of the precats.

Some threads from SC...check if these sound familiar:
 m http://www.spyderchat.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=46 (http://www.spyderchat.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=46) m
 m http://www.spyderchat.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=5961 (http://www.spyderchat.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=5961) m
 m http://www.spyderchat.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=5944 (http://www.spyderchat.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=5944) m

Plenty more on the Maintenance section:
 m http://www.spyderchat.com/phpBB/viewforum.php?f=6 (http://www.spyderchat.com/phpBB/viewforum.php?f=6) m
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Post by: Anonymous on September 1, 2003, 12:48
[Moved to Maintenance, Problems & Troubleshooting]
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Post by: Anonymous on September 1, 2003, 13:05
I'd agree with Tem...   s:( :( s:(
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Post by: Anonymous on September 1, 2003, 13:12
Tem, where am I supposed to be looking for these white spots? IN the exhaust?

Can you be a bit more specific?

Also, according to those links you sent for SpyderChat, this seems a VERY common problem to the point it seems inevitable that this is going to happen, not if, but WHEN!!! If my car is out of warranty, do you reckon MrT will note the problem if it is that common and at least PAY for some of the repair work cos the car only has 13500 on the clock!!!

I am getting really worried now......
  s:? :? s:?    s:cry: :cry: s:cry:
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Post by: Tem on September 1, 2003, 13:16
Quote from: "John Woodward"Tem, where am I supposed to be looking for these white spots? IN the exhaust?

Yeah, IN the exhaust. Just check the tip, you should see it if they are there.
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Post by: Anonymous on September 1, 2003, 13:20
Right, just had a look down the exhaust and I can't see anything that looks like white spots. Seems very clean to me. How BIG are these spots and are they actually "chunks" of the cat? Or is it more powdery?

And I have also gone to check the oil again and there is nothing wrong with it. Nice a full and very clean......

Ok, getting scared now...........
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Post by: Anonymous on September 1, 2003, 13:21
Most probably on the floor.

EDIT - sorry posted after your comments.  There will be some blown out of the pipe.  Try putting some paper under the pipe and starting the car and maybe leaving it running.  Then see whats on the paper, if you want to start the car that is...

Be warned your dealer is probably going to deny any kinda CAT problem.
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Post by: Tem on September 1, 2003, 13:22
They are very small particles...not quite powder though. There was a pic on SC, but can't find it now...

If you can't see them and you have oil, it could be that you run into something new...the powerloss just fits perfectly to all those blown engines  s:? :? s:?
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Post by: Anonymous on September 1, 2003, 13:23
Cheers Dummy!!!!  s:wink: :wink: s:wink:    s:lol: :lol: s:lol:  

Living up to your name I see!!!  s:wink: :wink: s:wink:    s:lol: :lol: s:lol:  (Joke!)

Mind you, you're probably right!
  s:shock: :shock: s:shock:
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Post by: Anonymous on September 1, 2003, 13:26
Could it have been a bit ot dirt/water in the fuel or dirt in the carb that was restricting the power?
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Post by: Anonymous on September 1, 2003, 13:27
like I said though, be careful with the dealer.  They just sit there and spout about this is a 150k engine and its just starting to seem like its not at all.  With more people on SC I guess they have and more problems.

What kinda fuel and oil do you use?
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Post by: Tem on September 1, 2003, 13:32
Quote from: "WoodenDummy"Be warned your dealer is probably going to deny any kinda CAT problem.

Funny you should mention that...I know for a fact that there has been (at least) two cases in Finland. When I asked Toyota what will they do if my engine blows some time after the warranty, mentioning those two cases from here and the several on SC...they just said they haven't heard of the problem and can't find any info on their db  s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
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Post by: Anonymous on September 1, 2003, 13:40
Quote from: "Tem"
Quote from: "WoodenDummy"Be warned your dealer is probably going to deny any kinda CAT problem.

Funny you should mention that...I know for a fact that there has been (at least) two cases in Finland. When I asked Toyota what will they do if my engine blows some time after the warranty, mentioning those two cases from here and the several on SC...they just said they haven't heard of the problem and can't find any info on their db  s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

Yip same old Toyota crap.  Hopefully in this case its not the CAT and we are over worrying.
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Post by: Anonymous on September 1, 2003, 13:53
Ok guys, thanks for all the help. I will try the paper thing and also keep an eye on it generally. Like I said, the problem isn't there AT THIS MOMENT, but I was DEFINATELY not imagining it cos even my girlfriend said that she could feel it.

I am using the same oil MrT puts in it (not filled it myself and its only had one major service cos of the low milage) and I am using Optimax 95% of the time, but I am tempted to not bother with this fo a while and see if this makes a difference.......

Will report back and see what happens.

Still scared........  s:? :? s:?
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Post by: markiii on September 1, 2003, 13:56
To follow on from earlier comments. Too little oil pressure will mean VVTI won't engage. However don't oberfill it either as too much pressure will cause the seals to fail, which is contributary to cat failure.
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Post by: mph on September 1, 2003, 14:24
Doesn't this sound very much the problem Rogue was having? I never did hear whether that was fixed or not..
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Post by: SteveJ on September 1, 2003, 14:33
Quote from: "mph"Doesn't this sound very much the problem Rogue was having? I never did hear whether that was fixed or not..

AFAIK, Rogue is still having problems with the MR-S. His is slightly different though - when you reach ~4500 rpm there is a very pronounced power dip (like hitting a brick wall), and if you repeat this 2 or 3 times the CEL illuminates.
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Post by: Anonymous on September 1, 2003, 14:39
John, when was the last time you did 100mph?

Not sure how to describe this but sometimes when the car is driven at low speed (i.e. town driving) the engine is not breathing very well.  

A good run makes the engine breath again...
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Post by: Anonymous on September 1, 2003, 15:19
Whoops. Been away from the computer.......

Emmanuele, the car was on the motorway and had been going for about 2 hours when I noticed the dip in power when trying to overtake a middle lane dodderer. So, presume what you are asking is irrelevant, I think. But I know what you mean.

As for the last time I did 100mph, well, strangely enough, it wasn't that long ago at about 3.00am along the M6 trying to get back on a Sunday morning to play football!!! Car seemed fine then (deserted road, I was on my own and I was bored. Please don't flame me!!!!  s:? :? s:?  )

As for what Rogue had, what I have seems similar, but the engine doesn't lose power to the extent that nothing is happening, as was Rogue's, but there is a very definate power "drop" (its the wrong word to describe it, but its as close as I can get). Also, I haven't seen the engine warning light come on at all......

As for the oil pressure, how can you tell if it is too high or too low? I have checked the oil and the level is fine and the oil is clean and it doesn't look like it is using any as I have checked it three or four times since its 10K service (3K ago) and it hasn't changed. So, not sure if that has anything to do with it (could be VERY wrong.....)

Like I said, the problem doesn't seem to be happening at the moment, so fingers crossed it was some werid anomaly or something, but I will definately keep an eye out for things and if anyone comes up with any more answers or suggestions, I will take them on board with great appreciation. Thanks guys. You've all been big help! I will keep you posted on how things go...........
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Post by: markiii on September 1, 2003, 15:46
as long as your oil is between the min and max markers you shoudl be fine. Just don't let it get too low, or overfill it.
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Post by: Anonymous on September 1, 2003, 15:51
Quote from: "John Woodward"Oh god! Bugger! None of this sounds good!

Well, the power loss isn't there at the moment. Just been out in it and its fine, for now.

Before I go on ANY journey over about 100miles, I always check the oil and the oil was nice and high and very clean, so I don't think there is too mich of a problem there. Will check it again later though, in case it has dropped since the journey.

And it did feel like the VVTi wasn't working correctly. It was a very weird sensation. Got to about the 4500rpm mark and the car felt like it had quickly had an eleastic band attached to the back of the car. It kept going, but without the pull that it had. Normally, (and I know this is bad), it would FLY to 100mph, but not this time. Really struggled over 4500rpm and took a while to get there.

I will continue to check on the oil and will also give it a balt every now and then to check that it is OK.

The Pre-cats. How can I get those checked to see if they are knackered and if they are, what are the consequences to the car and the engine? And almost as importantly, as my car is now out of warranty, how much are they toget fixed if they are knackered?

I am getting quite scared now........

I've been saying this since i've had my car - http://www.mr2roc.org/viewtopic.php?t=375

As you can see its not just you, i await the answers to this eagerly.
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Post by: Anonymous on September 1, 2003, 15:52
Right oh Mark. Will do. Thanks!

Lets just hope the flat spot doesn't come back!!!

What IS the oil capacity of engine? Is it in the handbook? Might provide my own oil next service and make damn sure they fill it exactly.........  s:roll: :roll: s:roll:    s:evil: :evil: s:evil:
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Post by: Anonymous on September 1, 2003, 15:54
Quote from: "John Woodward"What IS the oil capacity of engine? Is it in the handbook? Might provide my own oil next service and make damn sure they fill it exactly.........  s:roll: :roll: s:roll:    s:evil: :evil: s:evil:
4l IIRC.  Anyone?

--H--
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Post by: Anonymous on September 1, 2003, 16:43
Reet oh. Thats proper bo, I tell thee!

Can I get a reeeee-----wind!


(hmmmm.......don't know what came over me then.........  s:? :? s:?    s:shock: :shock: s:shock:    s:lol: :lol: s:lol:    s:oops: :oops: s:oops:  )

Biggun! Have you got this problem sorted as yet? And can you describe the feeling a little more please cos I want to know if it what is going on with my car. Yours also has a LOT less milage than mine, but we are both still well under 15K, so you would hope that it is nothing too drastic (other than these "pre-cats" buggering up. I REALLY don't like the sound of that........)
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Post by: Anonymous on September 1, 2003, 16:49
worth noting that bigun (IIRC) has the new 03 model and you have the pre 03 and again, IIRC, i think they have slightly different engines.
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Post by: Anonymous on September 1, 2003, 16:51
I've not had this even looked at yet mate, i am booking it in for the week after the 13th which is wen i go back to uni (taking second car G-Reg Transit) so i can live without the '2' for a while.

The problem doesn't occur all the time but it is getting more frequent.

I also get a high pitched screaming noise coming from the engine at about 6000RPM on a coldish day.........Do you get this?
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Post by: Anonymous on September 1, 2003, 16:54
Kris - that is 100% correct, i also have the TTE 'Zorst if that makes any difference?
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Post by: Anonymous on September 1, 2003, 17:55
Quote from: "John Woodward"What IS the oil capacity of engine?

It's 3.8 litres and costs £16 from Toyota.
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Post by: Anonymous on September 3, 2003, 09:30
Quote from: "Emmanuel"
Quote from: "John Woodward"What IS the oil capacity of engine?

It's 3.8 litres and costs £16 from Toyota.
£16?!  And the rest!

If you got your oil from Toyota for £16, well done!

--H--
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Post by: Anonymous on September 3, 2003, 15:22
Quote from: "Hardcore"
Quote from: "Emmanuel"It's 3.8 litres and costs £16 from Toyota.
£16?!  And the rest!

If you got your oil from Toyota for £16, well done!

--H--

That's what says on the receipt...