variable valve timing failure
One day the car went from running 'perfect' to intermittently back firring and blowing white smoke out the rear. I took the car to 3 different mechanics before I found the correct diagnosis; replacement of the variable valve timing actuator valves: perfect fix to a failing engine.
Update from Mar 3, 2017: Engine lost power and lost 1 quart engine oil every 250 miles, full tune up failed to bring back power. Strong exhaust gas smell inside car while driving. Compression test done: 2 cylinders had 120 PSI, 4 cylinders had 42-55 psi: wet and dry compression testing done. I was using 5-30 Toyota oil, switched to 10w-40 oil, problem was still bad. Mechanic suggested to run 20w-50 engine oil in summer; now car can run 2,000 miles before it uses 1 quart oil, mpg went from 32 mpg to 24 mpg due to thick oil.
Update from Mar 3, 2017: Metal filings are now present in every oil change. Last oil change I did produced a whole heaping handful of metal filings. (that is pretty bad). Only so much metal comes off before total engine failure.
I am disappointed with this car.
Bought used with 89,000 miles on it, oil changed every 3,000 miles; I have all receipts going back to the day it was new.
I thought Toyota cars were 'good' and would last; I am disappointed.
My neighbor has an identical car to mine, he has over 340,000 miles on it and it just keeps running.
variable valve timing failure One day the car went from running 'perfect' to intermittently back firring and blowing white smoke out the rear. I took the car to 3 different mechanics before I found the correct diagnosis; replacement of the variable valve timing actuator valves: perfect fix to a failing engine.
Update from Mar 3, 2017: Engine lost power and lost 1 quart engine oil every 250 miles, full tune up failed to bring back power. Strong exhaust gas smell inside car while driving. Compression test done: 2 cylinders had 120 PSI, 4 cylinders had 42-55 psi: wet and dry compression testing done. I was using 5-30 Toyota oil, switched to 10w-40 oil, problem was still bad. Mechanic suggested to run 20w-50 engine oil in summer; now car can run 2,000 miles before it uses 1 quart oil, mpg went from 32 mpg to 24 mpg due to thick oil.
Update from Mar 3, 2017: Metal filings are now present in every oil change. Last oil change I did produced a whole heaping handful of metal filings. (that is pretty bad). Only so much metal comes off before total engine failure. I am disappointed with this car. Bought used with 89,000 miles on it, oil changed every 3,000 miles; I have all receipts going back to the day it was new. I thought Toyota cars were 'good' and would last; I am disappointed. My neighbor has an identical car to mine, he has over 340,000 miles on it and it just keeps running.
- Todd F., Tremont, US