SMT leak, from gearbox or hydraulic?

[Carolyn]

I suspect you will have to go further afield to get this done.

@mr2garageswindon  (Castle Eaton Vehicle Services) would be able to assist.

[rajid]

Ive managed to get hold of a bottle of brand new genuine Toyota SMT fluid now!

[Joesson]

Ive managed to get hold of a bottle of brand new genuine Toyota SMT fluid now!

There's those " tools" again, patience and persistence, likely helped along this time with the application of many £££'s.

[Ardent]

Were we often say, oil is cheap, engines are not.
I'm sure the same applies here.

If I had an SMT, I know I'd want the correct fluid.

[Joesson]

Were we often say, oil is cheap, engines are not.
I'm sure the same applies here.

If I had an SMT, I know I'd want the correct fluid.

I do not disagree. But a not too dissimilar dilemma concerned the Power Steering Fluid.
Again a rare / expensive product if found product. A  Ravenol product was  my choice for that system.

[Gaz mr-s]

Threads like this *iss me off hugely.

Someone who knows nothing comes on asking for specific advice.

Someone who's 'been there' (me) gives advice gleaned from the generally-regarded world expert on the SMT system, that allowed me to fix one.

Said expert joins the thread & repeats 'brake fluid'.

Newbie doesn't acknowledge the advice in any way,
then disregards it, even when the expert affirms it.

Then another 'regular' says 'well done' for finding the 'right fluid'.

I hope you take comfort in having your wallet raped.

[Ardent]

I do not disagree. But a not too dissimilar dilemma concerned the Power Steering Fluid.
Again a rare / expensive product if found product. A  Ravenol product was  my choice for that system.

No issues there, as that is the correct fluid.

[Ardent]

Have found this thread an enjoyable and informative read.

Especially now had chance to slow down and read things slower.

From this thread, post #10 Fawtytoo with the link to his own thread on SMT maintenence, leads to post #4 from cyclehead.

I had not read that earlier in the week, but in research I did without knowing it at the time, find the monkey wrench site and was presented with this image.
You cannot view this attachment.

Having re-read things and the strong views of others above that have and are using brake fluid, I wondered if the image above was mis-titled and was showing what happens if you use transmission fluid.
Which circles back to the cyclehead post which questioned them the same.

All interesting stuff.

Everyday is a school day.

[Ardent]

There are a couple of cheap smt's on the market as I type. Both with smt issues.

Is that the biggest concern that someone might have topped up the res with the wrong fluid and buggered the seals?

As other than a weak battery that can also cause issues, the system seems  pretty robust and reliable.

Pig in a poke or bargain?

[Gaz mr-s]

There are several seals & loads of o rings involved.
Leaking seals can damage electrical parts.

And Techstream isn't a doddle either.

[Ardent]

I looked at techstream once. Closed it and stepped away.

[fawtytoo]

Having re-read things and the strong views of others above that have and are using brake fluid, I wondered if the image above was mis-titled and was showing what happens if you use transmission fluid.

One thing I have read (someone here can correct or agree) is that if you change the o-rings on the GSA for "modern" (help here needed) types, then they can withstand brake fluid. However, brake fluid isn't necessarily the culprit, as our cars are quite old and lead very different lives. But the official SMT fluid is 92% brake fluid and proven so.

As other than a weak battery that can also cause issues, the system seems  pretty robust and reliable.

Not sure where you got that from. The system is hydraulic and the battery being weak isn't an issue. At least that's my experience. But yeah, very robust, just little understood.

[fawtytoo]

Incidentally, had a chat with someone on eBay while my car was briefly listed for sale, and he also has an SMT (not in the club though) but with only 44,000 miles compared to my 74,000 miles. I asked him if his SMT was "quirky" in any way and he said yes. I believe the FL had an improved SMT system and performs even better than on the PFL. However, the quirkiness on the PFL can easily be overcome by driving in a certain manner.

EDIT: To add, the quirkiness on the PFL does not necessarily mean faulty.

[Gaz mr-s]

One thing I have read (someone here can correct or agree) is that if you change the o-rings on the GSA for "modern" (help here needed) types, then they can withstand brake fluid.

The material needed is EPDM.

[Ardent]

Incidentally, had a chat with someone on eBay while my car was briefly listed for sale, and he also has an SMT (not in the club though) but with only 44,000 miles compared to my 74,000 miles. I asked him if his SMT was "quirky" in any way and he said yes. I believe the FL had an improved SMT system and performs even better than on the PFL. However, the quirkiness on the PFL can easily be overcome by driving in a certain manner.

EDIT: To add, the quirkiness on the PFL does not necessarily mean faulty.

To date I've not seen an fl smt. I did wonder if they were pfl only. Apparently not.

Could you elaborate on the "certain manner"?

[rajid]

Threads like this *iss me off hugely.

Someone who knows nothing comes on asking for specific advice.

Someone who's 'been there' (me) gives advice gleaned from the generally-regarded world expert on the SMT system, that allowed me to fix one.

Said expert joins the thread & repeats 'brake fluid'.

Newbie doesn't acknowledge the advice in any way,
then disregards it, even when the expert affirms it.

Then another 'regular' says 'well done' for finding the 'right fluid'.

I hope you take comfort in having your wallet raped.

So when I go to the garage and tell them the internet forum genius says brake fluid should be used... then if I'm later faced with a related issue in the future it's going to be my problem, not yours.

The fluid cost me under £60 posted and was supposedly the last bottle of the stuff I could find from all the suppliers I tried. Hardly breaking the bank, probably a £40-50 difference between this crap and the brake fluid.

MR2-Ben or whatever it's called wasn't very helpful (probably through no fault of their own) they stated Toyota have discontinued the fluid now and can't help any further.

Anyway so far the advice on what to do hasn't been helpful to my requests of (I cannot do the work myself so no matter how many videos I watch, they're not going to top up my fluid or fix my leak for me) not sure which part of that you didn't understand.

You can keep repeating yourself but it's not going to educate me on working on the car, as I have no interest to do so.

I just want the car fixed by a specialist / professional or confident that knows what they are doing.

If there isn't one within a reasonable distance, I'll take it to any half competent local garage, get them to change / top up the fluid, and sell the car, telling the buyer there's a leak.

It's not my only car
It is a great car
But I am not attached to it, and it will end up replaced very quickly with something else equally as fun!

I bought the car knowing it was leaking
The guy I got it from was open and honest about it, he said despite the car having a leak, it wasn't major and that he had topped it up each year for its owner at the time.

The car doesn't actually have any issues and I use it regularly. It's a nice immaculate condition car, and it's only real downside is a leak from the SMT!

I just want to make sure the fluid is topped up and the car stays in working order while I own and use it.

Sounds like the UK has zero specialists / garages that are experts on the SMT. If I'd known that beforehand I would have just picked up a manual in the first place.

We aren't all mechanics or mechanically minded (and nor do we all want to be!)

[Gaz mr-s]

So when I go to the garage and tell them the internet forum genius says brake fluid should be used... then if I'm later faced with a related issue in the future it's going to be my problem, not yours.

If I don't know the answer to something on here, or do not have an interest, I leave the thread alone.

But I knew this. I couldn't give you a tutorial on how to fix it, - I've done one because I had to after a garage on the South coast screwed me rotten.  It took quite a period of time & a huge amount of help from Paul Hibbs, but I succeeded.

He told me it needed Dot3 or 4 brake fluid.  Toyota stuff completely unnecessary.  So I accepted that, because the man knows.
So I told you, to help, & to save you money, because that's what places like this are meant for.

Then Paul Hibbs told you too.   And Googling would have told you, as I previously mentioned.

The leaking fluid attacks components on one of the pumps.  Depending on where yours is leaking it could be a failure waiting to happen.   And there is more than one component that is unobtainable new.

[fawtytoo]

Sounds like the UK has zero specialists / garages that are experts on the SMT. If I'd known that beforehand I would have just picked up a manual in the first place.

In which case, you could have come here before purchasing to get a heads-up on SMT's. And plenty of us here would have helped you decide.

[Carolyn]

Have you tried contacting Casle Eaton Vehicle Services as I suggested?

People on here are eager to assist.  I know it's a longish way away, but you have a very rare little car that is worth the effort.

[Joesson]

In which case, you could have come here before purchasing to get a heads-up on SMT's. And plenty of us here would have helped you decide.

Harsh!
I had to look under several "bushels" before I found MR2 ROC some years into my ownership.

[fawtytoo]

Harsh!
I had to look under several "bushels" before I found MR2 ROC some years into my ownership.

It wasn't meant to be harsh. Perhaps I worded it badly. I was just saying that it's better to research something before purchase. It's not like I don't understand that some owners don't want to fix their own cars and rather leave it a garage.

you have a very rare little car that is worth the effort.

Absolutely! Don't give up on finding a garage that'll help. It's definitely worth it.

[fawtytoo]

Could you elaborate on the "certain manner"?

I think the best description would be to not drive too gently especially when going back to the gas after the gears have changed. It doesn't seem to like that and the clutch can do some "odd" things although they are quite rare occurrences. It's more noticeable when changing up rather than down.

Now I have to define "odd". It can feel like it's dumped the clutch or riding it too much.

Again, it's rare. About as rare as seeing another MR2 Roadster.

[rajid]

I think the best description would be to not drive too gently especially when going back to the gas after the gears have changed. It doesn't seem to like that and the clutch can do some "odd" things although they are quite rare occurrences. It's more noticeable when changing up rather than down.

Now I have to define "odd". It can feel like it's dumped the clutch or riding it too much.

Again, it's rare. About as rare as seeing another MR2 Roadster.

That sounds similar to mine

You just have to treat it with a little softness between up shifts (learn how much to back off the throttle to get the shift smooth) and also remember to shift down to 1st before the revs drop too low!!!

I feel like it is a flawed system, but it is not in any way crap! Infact I really love the way it drives and just wish it was a small amount more refined.

An auto mode would be good, and shifting down to 1st gear before coming to a standstill would also be great (as sometimes it seems a little clunky if the car has to do it itself, when stopped)

I find that if you shift down (especially from higher gears) whilst still on the throttle (or very lightly on the throttle and braking as you normally would, at the same time) it's much better than doing it while just braking. The blip on downshift is greater and the overall shift ends up being much smoother.

For an enthusiastic / spirited drive, it's very satisfying driving this way.

Hope that makes sense!!!

[fawtytoo]

That sounds similar to mine

You just have to treat it with a little softness between up shifts

That's not similar to what I said. In fact, the opposite.

[rajid]

I might have read that a little too quick 😂