Performance

[OXO]

Hiya,
I have an MR2 Mk 3 2001 import 1.8 5 speed engine.. It seems to have been looked after really well, just 42,800 miles an old chap had it.
He didn't use it much and according to the MOT's has only done 1,500 miles in the last 5 years.
It runs ok, but the exhausts are very black. Did a motorway milage check (200 miles) and am getting just over 34 mpg.
Advice please
What would you do to make sure this engine is on tip top form  ?
I understand they cannot be mapped ?
Should I pay for a mobile tuner to check it out  (£45)
Thanks in anticipation
Mick

[jvanzyl]

Hey Mick,
Welcome! - First things first - you're mileage is alright - wouldn't worry too much about it. However you need to understand quickly what your oil consumption rate(if any) is.
Other than that - use some decent synthetic oil (e.g. Fuchs) and keep it well serviced and you should be good!

Oh - and check to see if you still have your precats installed - if they are there, remove them at your earliest possible convenience...

[Carolyn]

sounds like you have a nice MR S.  Which is cool, as they are a bit special. (different gearbox ratios, no post cat O2 sensor and no built-in immobiliser in your ECU)
There a few basic tune ups you can do quite simply.
Clean your Mass Airflow Meter.  It's on the outlet of the air-box held in place by two cross-head screws.  A good repeated spray with carb cleaner will do the job (don't poke around in its depths as it is quite delicate).  Check that you have a clean air filter. If you're feeling enthusiastic... change the spark plugs.
Judging by the mileage your car had done over the last few tears, it's been run mostly in warm-up mode, which is slightly rich running and so there will be some soot in the exhaust.  Some energetic driving will sort that.
Otherwise, there really is nothing to 'tune'.

[Wabbitkilla]

Needs a good service, plugs and clean the maf.
Then see how it goes

[1979scotte]

Agree with all the above.
Service and a really good thrashing.
Give it the full beans and rev the nuts off it.

[OXO]

Thanks for everyone's input, it's really helping me to understand the car.
I will make sure it's all serviced this weekend.
This is my first MR2 so a whole new world for me.
The car was originally from Gurnsey in 2001 (not a very big place to give it a thrashing) then over here 2004.
I'm not generally one to give a car a good "thrashing" I am a bit scared of blowing the thing up.........
Changing gear is different to my eco friendly Qashqai too thats about about 2,000 - 2,500 rpm.
This one wants more revs ! Seems to be around 3,500 - 4,000 rpm to get it shifting.
What sort of mpg should I expect if keeping within the speed limits ?
Thanks
Mick

[1979scotte]

You should do better than my 31.4 mpg.
I have a turbo and i do put my foot down when conditions allow.

[jonbill]

Trundling around mways at about 70 I get 40mpg.

[Essex2Visuvesi]

Agree with all the above.
Service and a really good thrashing.
Give it the full beans and rev the nuts off it.

The correct technical  term for this is the "Italian Tune Up"

[Ardent]

What they said

You can do  search on here for how many have "blown up"

Unleash the revs.
The engine needs some excercise.

Top tip
Don't youtube 2zz engine sounds or dyno runs. You will have cold sweats at night.

Hello and welcone BTW

[JoeCool]

The fun starts at 6,000 rpm.....

But in all seriousness, the engines are designed to rev. Within the red line you're not doing it any damage, and you only make power at higher revs! So use them when appropriate! (or you fancy it!).

Measure oil on the flat weekly until you are confident that it isn't using any or you know the rate. Some of the early cars have oil consumption issues which you at least need to  know about so you can keep it topped up and protect your engine. So get familiar with the dipstick!!

[Alex Knight]

Can't believe nobody has mentioned O2 sensors?

Surely intrinsic to fuelling, and therefore MPG...

[shnazzle]

o2 sensors are expensive. Some plugs, oil+filter and air filter can be had for as little as 35 quid.
If a good service, maf clean and blast doens't do it...then look at o2 sensors

[Carolyn]

o2 sensors are expensive. Some plugs, oil+filter and air filter can be had for as little as 35 quid.
If a good service, maf clean and blast doens't do it...then look at o2 sensors

+1  If it ain't broke don't fix it.

[OXO]

Thanks everyone, I did the service and the MPG went up to 39 on a run.
The exhausts are still sooty.
I have ordered a PCV valve so am trying to cover all the bases.
All tips are most welcome.
Cheers

[shnazzle]

Did you reset the ecu? Test the o2 sensors with a multimeter?

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

[OXO]

Thanks for everyone's advice.
I did a service.....Plugs, air filter, PCV valve. It seemed to be pointing towards the oil rings or valve seals ? ? ?
I changed the oil and used a "Forte" flush whilst idling for an hour, (instructions say to give it a couple of thousand miles to free the rings- have only done about 1,000 up to now)
It runs really well, accelerates really well.
But still has very sooty exhausts and is still burning oil.
I have been told to put thicker oil in or to use some additive like  redex stop smoke ?  before considering having the engine stripped.
It's only done 43,000 miles so I am a bit paranoid about this.

[wilko59]

If its burning oil Redex wont make any difference as that is a fuel additive.  Wynnes Stop Smoke will thicken up the oil slightly thus stopping more passing the rings and therefore burning less.  It's not a fix but will cut down on consumption.  My old pre facelift MR2 used about 1 litre of oil every 1000 miles but didnt smoke as much on the down change after adding the Wynns stuff.  Ran it like that for ages.  Personally I didn't stick to the 5w30 recommended oil when I noticed it was burning it, I started using 10w40, I know some others have a different opinion.

[Carolyn]

I've just taken a low mileage facelift engine out (It was an oil burner) and put my rebuilt original back in.  Ran fine, just bloody irritating.  Guaranteed I'll find stuck oil rings and crusty seals on the exhaust valves...
I KNEW it would need a rebuild, but I did try the Forte flush/5W40 experiment to see what would happen.  I ended up with a very clean oil burner!
Having said that- if your doing better than 1Ltr/600 miles, it will run like that for years.