Engine go breaky...

[Lancer]

Suprised it lasted this long (75k long hard miles). Still running as it has been for the last 6 months or so. A lot of blue smoke and black soot coming out of the exhaust (burning oil). Finally took the time to have the compression test and leak down test done. Only $120 at the toyota dealership.The results are, it's the piston rings. 195 /170 /190 /20035%/45%/30%/25%And the really crappy thing is that you can't just change the piston rings in these motors. The way they are made and coated wont allow for any honing or resurfacing. At least that's what everyone is saying. The ONLY solution is new short block. It's a conspiracy I tell ya! New from toyota is (NO KIDDING!!) $7000 just for the short block!! Like I'm gonna pay that when I can get a MWR built short block for $1600 or $2300.So, looks like I'll be eating Ramon noodles for a while again. Yes, I'm taking donations!

[northvibe]

lancer, go to the midwest meet and charge for rides..id totally pay for a ride, then you can pay off the block. Can you just get a used block?...and then I think its time for MWR internals Sorry to hear about the engine hope you can get it fixed.

[damronjr]

Bummer to hear, but go MWR!

[CountryVibe]

sorry to hear about your engine i hope you get it fixed soon

[kevera]

Big time bummer.But going MWR will put a huge grin on your face,that baby will be a beast.That was one of my hesitations about going f/i,that and the auto tranny.But I know it will work out for you,keep us informed.

[keithvibe]

Lancer,Sorry to hear that man.... Didn't you replace the engine once already?

[Mavrik]

holy cow $7000? Is that just the block or labor to? I can get a new short block, flat 4 cylinder Subaru 2.5 block that can withstand over 20 pounds of boost new for $1800.

[BlueCrush]

Sorry to hear, Lancer. Hate to say it but, I was wondering when she was going to go. You have been pushing her pretty hard for a long time. As the others have said, MWR would be your best bet. Good Luck! Keep us updated.

[ajflan]

Sorry to hear that Lancer. However, this does give you an excuse to go all out!

[808 Vibes]

I'm sorry to hear that!

[Lancer]

Thanks for all the replies and support guys! Yeah, I drove her hard every chance I got and it was a really fun ride. I'm a little bummed about it but I have no one to blame but myself. There is no single reason for the rings to go bad other than wear from excessive abuse. I am looking forward to the new engine but it'll take a couple months to save up enough. It just ticks me off that I have to replace the whole short block because of a set of piston rings. I guess they were designed to be disposable engines. Something wears down and you replace everything. It still runs very well and pretty strong yet, so it's not like it's on it's last legs. I have noticed the power start to get lower over the past few months, so I'm thinking the new engine will be very suprisingly stronger. I'm not going 'all out' with the new engine. At most a stage 2 short block with forged pistons and rods. I want to look into the possibility of getting this engine sleeved. Then I can change piston rings if they go out again. Not to mention I could get a larger bore size with sleeves. Oh, and the $7000 is just for a brand new short block from toyota. That's almost as much as the car is worth! I still say that's a scam!

[ajflan]

If busted piston rings means an excuse to get a mwr short block, I think I might start driving harder.

[micbarric]

Quote, originally posted by Lancer »Oh, and the $7000 is just for a brand new short block from toyota. That's almost as much as the car is worth! I still say that's a scam!I think "supply and demand" may have something to do with the high price for a new short block.Not long ago I dropped by the dealer where I bought my '05 Vibe and noticed on all the new '07 Vibe window stickers that the engines were made in Japan and not the W. Virginia engine plant. My guess is that 1ZZ-FE production at the WV and Ontario, Canada plants can't meet demand for all the Corolla/Matrix/Vibes being built and Toyota is having to import engines from Japan to prevent shortages.New (shipped from Japan?) Toyota engine + tight supply = $$$$$$

[Sublimewind]

I think it's crap that you cannot have your engine rebuilt... The coatings can be re-done, people do cylinder and piston coatings all the time... And IS it really necessary to have it, in a built motor? Not likely...

[Lancer]

That's what I thought. MWR does it to thier engines? But I've also been told that you can not hone or poish them, but you can have them sleeved. If these were Normal engines, I would change the piston rings and main bearings myself.My wifes sisters, husband has a brother or cousin with a shop that he could do the swap for a fair price. We actually GAVE him her last car for free cause we didn't want to pay for new brake system. So he owes us a favor.

[WaveAction]

should just port n polish the cylinders and get titanium pistons and ur good as new..no?

[Mario]

What are you planning on doing? Getting a fully built engine from MWR

[Lancer]

You can't P&P the cylinders. Something to do with the way they were made and coated. That's why I have to get a new short block. (yeah I know, stupid ain't it?)Right now I'm trying to look into having it sleeved. Then forged pistons, new bearings, new, oil pump. Trying to get info on doing it locally. If I have to, I'll get an MWR short block. Haven't decided on stage 1, 2. A lot of decisions to make, but I have time while I save some money.

[GrayFox]

wow, lancer.... decisions, decisions I hope all goes well with whatever yo go with

[Sublimewind]

lancer, You should just look into someone swapping in a Lancer EVO motor into it.... I mean seriously...

[satur9]

im pretty sure its only the 2zz that has the coating. the 1zz can be bored out for monkeywrenches big bore kit but the 2zz cant.new short block my a** . big bore kit big bore kit big bore kit. sleeving is most likely overkill at your power level.

[manicdan]

talk to MWR about anything regarding what u want to do now and later, they will tell u the steps needed that wont cost u to much down the road. and im sure they've seen this happen before

[Dezz1]

I agree.

[Dezz1]

Sorry dude. I too thought that the 1zz can be bored and sleeved, but the 2zz can't because those mods were already done at the Suzuki plant and sealed. I don't know if it would work but would you consider buying a cheap Honda block, buy custom mounts and modify the heck out of it. BTW, why not just purchase a slightly used 2zz.

[goodvibe]

Quote, originally posted by satur9 »im pretty sure its only the 2zz that has the coating. the 1zz can be bored out for monkeywrenches big bore kit but the 2zz cant.new short block my a** . big bore kit big bore kit big bore kit. sleeving is most likely overkill at your power level. That was my understanding and but even a 2zz can be sleeved. I thought that the 1 zz had an iron liner and the 2zz was a siliconized aluminium proccess. I would have thought that the bearings would wear out first from a heavy right foot. I would think that accelorated ring wear would come from lack of lubrication or debri. Maybe gas washes the bores from running rich or your filter isn't doing it's job. Could be the extra load just isn't part of a 1zz's design but rings first seems odd at this mileage. I would at least try a piston soak to see if there just stuck before I put out the big bucks. cheap and can't hurt though your #s don't look promising. http://theoildrop.server101.co...51724

[satur9]

the big bore kit doesnt require sleeving the original sleeves are honed out a little larger. the 2zz does require sleeving for larger pistons because of its construction.the whole point is that. as long as his cylinder walls arent extremelly damaged.(beyond honing) telling him he needs a new short block is crap