Hello All,
I think that valve stem seals will be my next BIG job (in situ). It's a w reg 1ZZ that has only done 47k, however, it consumes oil, particularly on cold start and later pulling away from junctions, especially if I am turning right and 'give it some'.
Lots of information on here (thanks all) and now even videos on doing this, particularly with rope. The bit that concerns me (other than all of it) is the inlet side. I've seen tools for this available on the web and Carolyn's special tool. Has anyone used the web tools on an mr2mk3 with engine in? If so, which one?
Also, is it worth doing, or is it likely that the general oil consumption is mainly due to something else (oil control rings, etc)? Engine out is beyond my comfort zone and equipment sadly.
Any advice would be welcomed
Thanks
Robin
Blue smoke under acceleration is rings. On the over-run (decelerating in gear) is valve stem seals.
smoke on start-up tends to be stem seals.
The right turn bit is also rings, I'm afraid.
I can lend you the tool if you want to have a go at the stem seals. I do suspect they need doing, but I don't think it would be a complete cure.
Bit concerning on a 47k engine
@robinl :
Ah - Another thought. Another source of blue smoke can be the PCV valve. That can cause the symptoms you're reporting. If the internal spring has lost its tension it can open when it shouldn't and let oil into your inlet.
It's on the cylinder head to the left with a fattish hose coming off it. They are around a 30,000 mile item, and they're cheap as chips. I'd do that first and see what result you get. All you need is a 14mm spanner.
Look for one by searching for PCV Valve for 1ZZfe. If you search 'MR2' you'll be paying extra for the same thing.
Quote from: Ardent on April 24, 2026, 22:37Bit concerning on a 47k engine
Hopefully
@Carolyn has suggested a less ominous cause.
Thanks for the input everyone.
I changed the PCV valve in November unfortunately. I do like the sound of an easy fix. I might put another one on incase I got a duff.
I thought that being only 47K, it should be a good one. It's like 2k a year. Amazing really. It's not been raced or rallied in the last 10 years at least. I got it off my brother who enjoyed having it but didnt really use it. I'm using it almost everytime the sun shines!! I love the car and the feel/noise of having the eninge behind you. I did a compression test and got 180 on 1, 185 on 2 and 3 and 188 on 4. I was chuffed to bits with that.
The oil control rings could be gummed up and I'm sure the oil lubrication holes in the piston skirts are original (small) sized.
Valve stem seals seemed the last thing that I'm happy to have a go at.
If I could borrow the tool, that would be great. I'll get all the parts in first. I've ordered cam cover gasket. Haven't orderd the seals yet. Any recommendations? What else do I need?
Thanks
Robin
A pair of valve stem seal pliers. The old seals are a bit of a bugger to get out. For the same money you can get a kit for doing seals, you'll only use it once but it's worth having. They are available on Ebay. Get one with the angled plier head as it's easier to use on our engines. (Pics below)
The stem seals - just don't buy the very cheapest. They are colour coded the brownish ones go in the intake and the silvery ones go on the exhaust. The seal rubbers are different to deal with fuel (intake) and heat (exhaust) so it's important to get them correct. I have just found the special tool!!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/374791668884?fits=Cars+Year%3A2002%7CCar+Make%3AToyota%7CModel%3AMR2%7CEngine%3A1794cc+103KW+140HP+1ZZ-FE%7CBodyStyle%3ARWD+III+ZZW3_%7CCars+Type%3A1.8+16V+VT-i%7CVariant%3APetrol+Convertible&_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D303465%26meid%3Df9a1e1010d5e4e96a4360d30a2003ac2%26pid%3D101875%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D298243690182%26itm%3D374791668884%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D4481478%26algv%3DSimplAMLv11PairwiseFitmentPromotionV2WithCassiniQueryEmbRecallKatRecoCpcRecall%26brand%3DElring&_trksid=p4481478.c101875.m1851&itmprp=cksum%3A374791668884f9a1e1010d5e4e96a4360d30a2003ac2%7Cenc%3AAQALAAABMM87TX5H0eTTsU0jhiGaG1EtQgE8jx9oVlixx3naPMyrOidPpEy2srdXZYwUdNOUcHMr7x989oIgC0y4irNgM6xKKrFhFLBqUqBVFrAGVpKM4ienn0rfnLiZiJ2AxVqcLKm%252F8wrpjOWgnFyLAjZAsO8lSw9nqYRsRdCXsH1LpkYIhcP67a9X1M2qFaAwGQbc4hRNVYCs0o9XofwVyxmLwd6FSOm3%252BTMp9moBoSkRvFPEfYMKRtCOgupaRq39nGtcg%252B6sqQ1bBuEu62w5yISDSjB7G0S6iTLc3pbzvxY4aNvjO%252Fatrc2EoMG2EYtEV2LKAkwY3jYWm1YR5GSVFI0u9RhxQ6SLN8MZZG1jZaowW5PNntcebW1a4GltZIhYNMuQKoCbZxwpJWa7HfzCzEdZJwY%253D%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A4481478&itmmeta=01KQ4E5ZECXRM8Y9GRXP7M8XQQ (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/374791668884?fits=Cars+Year%3A2002%7CCar+Make%3AToyota%7CModel%3AMR2%7CEngine%3A1794cc+103KW+140HP+1ZZ-FE%7CBodyStyle%3ARWD+III+ZZW3_%7CCars+Type%3A1.8+16V+VT-i%7CVariant%3APetrol+Convertible&_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D303465%26meid%3Df9a1e1010d5e4e96a4360d30a2003ac2%26pid%3D101875%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D298243690182%26itm%3D374791668884%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D4481478%26algv%3DSimplAMLv11PairwiseFitmentPromotionV2WithCassiniQueryEmbRecallKatRecoCpcRecall%26brand%3DElring&_trksid=p4481478.c101875.m1851&itmprp=cksum%3A374791668884f9a1e1010d5e4e96a4360d30a2003ac2%7Cenc%3AAQALAAABMM87TX5H0eTTsU0jhiGaG1EtQgE8jx9oVlixx3naPMyrOidPpEy2srdXZYwUdNOUcHMr7x989oIgC0y4irNgM6xKKrFhFLBqUqBVFrAGVpKM4ienn0rfnLiZiJ2AxVqcLKm%252F8wrpjOWgnFyLAjZAsO8lSw9nqYRsRdCXsH1LpkYIhcP67a9X1M2qFaAwGQbc4hRNVYCs0o9XofwVyxmLwd6FSOm3%252BTMp9moBoSkRvFPEfYMKRtCOgupaRq39nGtcg%252B6sqQ1bBuEu62w5yISDSjB7G0S6iTLc3pbzvxY4aNvjO%252Fatrc2EoMG2EYtEV2LKAkwY3jYWm1YR5GSVFI0u9RhxQ6SLN8MZZG1jZaowW5PNntcebW1a4GltZIhYNMuQKoCbZxwpJWa7HfzCzEdZJwY%253D%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A4481478&itmmeta=01KQ4E5ZECXRM8Y9GRXP7M8XQQ)
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