Where to start after 4 years of neglect?

Discussion and technical advice for 84-89 AW10 & AW11 MR2. 3A-LU, 4A-GE, 4A-GZE.

Moderators: IMOC Moderators, IMOC Committee Members

Post Reply
BIGBOBO
Posts: 531
Joined: Sun Dec 02, 2007 1:05 am
Location: Belgium

Where to start after 4 years of neglect?

Post by BIGBOBO »

Around 5 years ago I swapped in a 4AGZE in my 86 na. I got a lot of help from someone awesome and together we got it working. Fuel usage was high at the start but a new O2 sensor fixed that. That was about the only problem we ran into.

Soon after that my personal situation changed and I had other things to take care of and the MR2 sat undriven for most of the time. Getting a motorcycle licence and moving to 1km from my work only made matters worse. I changed the oil every year and took it on one or two short drives every month.

I now have the time to drive it properly again but it developped a lot of problems and I don't know where to start to fix them all. I have fixed many issues before but never this many at once so it's hard to find the root cause of the problem. The car has:

  • Lots of smoke on startup if it has been sitting for a day or two
    Smoke while warming up
    Black spark plugs full of sooth
    A blowing exhaust
    Stalls when the engine is warm
    Hard to start (5+ tries) when it rains


I thought it would be the headgasket but the oil and coolant seem to be fine. I had to add a little bit of both every now and then but nothing excessive. I orderd a cheap cylinder leakdown test but that seemed to be defective so I have to return that.

Do you guys have any advice on where to start?
markstevieandmads
Posts: 2025
Joined: Mon Aug 05, 2013 8:18 pm
Location: Swindon, Wilts

Re: Where to start after 4 years of neglect?

Post by markstevieandmads »

Valve stem seals? Sticky valve/s? Coil breaking down?
User avatar
Lauren
IMOC Committee
Posts: 38632
Joined: Mon Dec 13, 2004 5:37 pm
Location: Greater Manchester
Contact:

Re: Where to start after 4 years of neglect?

Post by Lauren »

If it's hard to start dizzy cap and rotor arm.
2020 GR Yaris - Circuit Pack :lover:
mr2garageswindon
Posts: 282
Joined: Wed Oct 15, 2014 3:02 pm

Re: Where to start after 4 years of neglect?

Post by mr2garageswindon »

How old is the fuel in it?
Is the fuel enrichment staying on?
Temp sender faulty?
Fuel pressure good?
BIGBOBO
Posts: 531
Joined: Sun Dec 02, 2007 1:05 am
Location: Belgium

Re: Where to start after 4 years of neglect?

Post by BIGBOBO »

Fuel is 2 months old at maximum, filled it up end of june.

Temp gauge sits in the middle once it's warmed up.

It drives fine when warmed up so don't think the fuel pressure is bad.
Post Reply

Return to “MR2 MK1 1984-1989 NA & SC”