Hi all!
I just bought a mk3 MR2, 6 days ago to be precise, it's a JDM import first registered in 2004 and declared manufactured 2004, 73000 miles on the clock which looks genuine according to MOT & NPR history. Engine sounded good when I bought it a week ago, no knocks or noises, although the previous owner told me it was burning oil and the oil was at the minimum when I picked it up. I'm aware of the oil burning issues on these but there was no smell or smoke whilst idling or driving, so I wasn't overly concerned. Chucked 1L of oil in and drove it home with no issues. Drove it around a little bit without problems, then yesterday got around to servicing it. Gave the engine a flush, changed the oil filter and the spark plugs and refilled to full with Castrol Edge 5W-30. Drove it around 10 miles, right at the end of which the engine started to make a ticking/knocking noise.
This morning the noise was still there, and I drove it roughly 12 miles to work, as I have down time at work and space to work on it so I wanted to get it jacked up again and have a proper look at what was making the noise, as I knew there were some loose bits on the exhaust cover that could be rattling, although the noise didn't sound like that tbh.
Unfortunately the rattling noise from the engine got worse and got louder whilst driving, most of the drive is dual carriageway without any opportunity to pull over, and just as I reached my work car park the engine just stopped. Not with a bang, but it stopped completely. I managed to push it into a parking space, but I'm fearing the worst that the timing chain has gone and seized the engine.
I wanted to test if it's seized, so I tried to manually turn the crankshaft pulley and as long as I'm trying to turn the right thing then it won't budge at all which I think definitely means the engine is done. I've tried to attach a couple of photos of the socket wrench where I was trying to turn the crankshaft, as I'm not an expert so just want confirmation if possible. Got the 19mm socket on and tried to turn clockwise but no movement whatsoever :-\
Assuming the engine is seized and the easiest/best thing to do is to swap the engine out, would it be worth going for a 2ZZ-GE engine from a Celica, since I'll need to pay for the labor of swapping it either way? I don't have the space or the tools to do it myself unfortunately....
(https://i.ibb.co/GCjVDKh/PXL-20240827-103740181-exported-9929.jpg) (https://ibb.co/GCjVDKh)
(https://i.ibb.co/tC0M2vz/PXL-20240827-103740181-exported-8313.jpg) (https://ibb.co/tC0M2vz)
(https://i.ibb.co/5nHTm3x/PXL-20240827-103634332-exported-8573.jpg) (https://ibb.co/5nHTm3x)
Mentioned elsewhere on here, over the years I've had more trouble with timing than other parts of a car.
Only when a timing belt failed would the engine not turn over, valves were bent but the engine was retrievable. The Toyota engine, I am told, is an interference type in that the valves will hit the pistons in some circumstances.
I suggest taking the spark plugs out and trying again with your socket wrench will determine if it is seized. But I would have thought there would have been some more certain noises of protest from the engine.
My one experience with a timing chain was the sprockets wearing and allowing the chain to slip. That meant the engine was blowing when it should have been sucking but it was a non interference type and would turn over but would not start. New sprockets and chain and it ran again.
Sorry to hear of your trouble so soon after purchase.
Sounds like the engine flush moved some sludge around and an oilway blocked up. That engine might or might not be rebuildable, but it would have to be opened up to find out.
You can try a used engine from J-Spec. They will only sell engines they believe to be good, but they can't possibly guarantee it.
An engine swap with a new clutch (crazy not to!) should cost around £600 for labour plus the cost of the used engine (£400 - £500 ??).
A 2ZZ conversion £3500 on up.
There is a rebuilt engine that's done 4,000 miles (so it's a good one!) on Facebook. He's asking a grand...
https://www.facebook.com/groups/190715694734050 (https://www.facebook.com/groups/190715694734050)
@ReubenGB Any news/ progress?
That's a scary prospect. What kind of sound was the timing chain making? Is it kinda like a bicycle being freewheeled, that fast chain tick noise?