[Mk2] [NA] advice needed after visiting a mechanic

[mattp]

I need some advice...I have a Rev 5 Beams Redtop. Its been off the road for a few years and have been restoring it over the past year. Nearly ready for the road bar a few minor issues. Recently went to a garage to have a cam-belt change and they discovered that the water pump needed replacing. They had a right job with this apparently as very tight for space and had to drop the engine slightly to gain access.

Today I have been doing a few jobs on her and decided to check the engine coolant level which I replaced prior to going to the garage. Thinking about it, would the garage of had to drain the coolant when replacing the water pump?
Reason i ask is that the coolant needed topping up....3 litres in fact and the reservoir bottle was empty.....now im no expert but when I replaced the coolant before I added nearly 7 litres. So I added the pipes to the front bleeder values and opened and a load of bubble came through. I presume they had not added enough coolant and/or bled if they had to drain the system....am I correct?

Also the engine has been dry with no oil leaks anywhere since i've had it. I've had it running a few times and never noticed any oil. Again today noticed just under the red cam cover toward the boot the engine was shinny. Went underneath and there was oil running down the back of the engine onto alternator which is brand new replaced by me so i know that the oil leak is recent. My next question is if they had to replace the water pump and drop the engine slightly, is there anything they could have done to produce the said oil leak.

I have been using this garage for quite a few years as it is a friend that owns the garage. I have had no problems that I have come across until now....what would you do?

Have they had to drain the coolant and not topped up and bled again?

Could they have caused this new oil leak by any of the work carried out?

I dont want to go complaining if not needed.

Sorry for the long post and if you are still here I very much appreciate it and would like to know your thoughts.

Matt

[gerbil1028]

Maybe being sat up so long the rocker gasket got old and brittle creating leak ??

If you do water pump you will loose most of coolant in engine, not from rad or pipes ect ect so won't loose it all.

Would of expected them to have topped up and bleed properly after pump though.

[mattp]

The engine has been run up regularly whilst being worked on over the past year and had nothing in the way of leaks. Im not sure exactly where its coming from yet. Just wondered if when they had to drop engine or remove the water pump could they have caused the leak?

[gerbil1028]

From doing mine they shouldn't of touched anything

[fingers99]

Reason i ask is that the coolant needed topping up....3 litres in fact and the reservoir bottle was empty.....now im no expert but when I replaced the coolant before I added nearly 7 litres. So I added the pipes to the front bleeder values and opened and a load of bubble came through. I presume they had not added enough coolant and/or bled if they had to drain the system....am I correct?

Does sound as though they didn't bleed it properly. But note that they can be pigs to bleed, not everyone understands how they work, and that the expansion tank (which is all it is) should barely have any fluid in it.

It's one of the issues you get when you take a quirky, non mainstream car to a generalist.

[MR2 Rich]

Where are you based? There might be a specialist close that could have a look at it?

[synXero]

My beams leaked from the rocker gaskets, just as a result of age. It went into the spark wells though. Maybe worth a look!

[bobhatton]

The cam cover should have been removed to line the cams up when re-fitting the cam belt. If a new one was not fitted it may well be leaking oil from there

[mattp]

The cam cover should have been removed to line the cams up when re-fitting the cam belt. If a new one was not fitted it may well be leaking oil from there

I did wonder that and yes leak is from the cam cover.

MR2 Rich - I'm based in Sussex on the South coast. I did hear there was a MR2 specialist garage in a place called Mayfield but for the life of me cant find it....anyone know the name or more info?

There is a garage in my town called S.P.A that have built a 500+ BHP MR2 for a guy on here a few years back so when shes road worthy I will take a trip to them to have a look over and a tune up. I dont know much about them but they do specialise in Jap imports and always 3 or 4 Skylines or Silvia's parked outside.

I'm going to order a new gaskets for the cam cover and while im there going to clean out the AICV and throttle as i have a high idle of around 2000 rpm so hope that sorts it.

Cheers for the replies and suggestions people much appreciated.

[gerbil1028]

Depends if they did off camshafts with rocker removed or if they used marks on back plate or tippexed cogs first and used those marks.

Best to ask how they did it. If can cover off its their fault abd should know better than to reuse a seal.

[bobhatton]

The cam cover should have been removed to line the cams up when re-fitting the cam belt. If a new one was not fitted it may well be leaking oil from there

I did wonder that and yes leak is from the cam cover.

MR2 Rich - I'm based in Sussex on the South coast. I did hear there was a MR2 specialist garage in a place called Mayfield but for the life of me cant find it....anyone know the name or more info?

There is a garage in my town called S.P.A that have built a 500+ BHP MR2 for a guy on here a few years back so when shes road worthy I will take a trip to them to have a look over and a tune up. I dont know much about them but they do specialise in Jap imports and always 3 or 4 Skylines or Silvia's parked outside.

I'm going to order a new gaskets for the cam cover and while im there going to clean out the AICV and throttle as i have a high idle of around 2000 rpm so hope that sorts it.

Cheers for the replies and suggestions people much appreciated.

As well as the gasket you need the rubber washers under the hold down bolts.

[mattp]

"As well as the gasket you need the rubber washers under the hold down bolts."

You mean bolts for the rocker cover or AICV? What rubber washers....I didnt realise there was any...i've ordered the gaskets from Toyota would they know which ones I would need?

[Draven]

He is on about the rubber washers that go around the rocker cover.. I did have the part NO but can't see to find it now.

[synXero]

I have a brand new set of rocker bolts from Toyota if anyone needs them. There are 8. I can't say for sure of they are beams specific.

[mattp]

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b265/ ... G_5293.jpg

If you look at the image (not of my engine but you get the idea) After looking at mine and this image there does not seem to be any rubber washers under the cover hold down bolts. Maybe you are meaning the normal 3SGE rather than the beams which is different???

Correct me if I am wrong

[bobhatton]

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b265/ ... G_5293.jpg

If you look at the image (not of my engine but you get the idea) After looking at mine and this image there does not seem to be any rubber washers under the cover hold down bolts. Maybe you are meaning the normal 3SGE rather than the beams which is different???

Correct me if I am wrong

Yes I was thinking of the 3sge, sorry I did not see it was a BEAMS

[mattp]

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b265/ ... G_5293.jpg

If you look at the image (not of my engine but you get the idea) After looking at mine and this image there does not seem to be any rubber washers under the cover hold down bolts. Maybe you are meaning the normal 3SGE rather than the beams which is different???

Correct me if I am wrong

Yes I was thinking of the 3sge, sorry I did not see it was a BEAMS

No worries glad you took the time to reply.
Im now fighting with the AIC Valve and not sure its working properly...all cleaned up. Im not exactly the most technically minded person when it comes to electronics and been doing some reading about testing with a meter which I have. After reading the following:

You can also measure the continuity of the terminals. Just to make sure the part is good and test it with a battery to make sure it opens and closes. Suggest you see the FSM for terminal pin-outs.

Using an ohmmeter, measure the resistance between terminal +B and other terminals (RSC, RSO). Resistance: 19.3 – 22.3ohms at 20°C (68°F) If resistance is not as specified, replace the IAC valve. Same value for both I4 and V6.

With a 12vdc source; connect the positive (+) lead from the battery to terminal +B and negative (–) lead to terminal RSC, and check that the valve is closed. If operation is not as specified, replace the IAC valve.

With a 12vdc source; Connect the positive (+) lead from the battery to terminal +B and negative (–) lead to terminal RSO, and check that the valve is open. If operation is not as specified, replace the IAC valve.

Results - Ohms set on meter to 20k - red lead to +B (centre pin) and black to RSC terminal (top pin as per diagram on the service manual) I'm getting a reading of 4.28. Same but with black lead to RSO (bottom pin) i"m getting 0.00

I take it the valve is knackered??

I priced this at Toyota and they want £290 + vat

Am I right??