Toyota Corolla Power Issue

rich13348

MrRipley wrote: »

Rich

Thanks, yeah it's quite an unusual colour, called coniston green, theres another identical one about 8 miles from me by the supermarket though!


It's a 1.4 petrol, but like you said is sounding quite diesel-ish the last few days.

I've not been able to have the car lifted to look underneath it, if I stick my head underneath it in the morning, would I be able to detect a hole in the exhaust if that is the issue?

Use an old rag to block off the exhaust, the pressure builds up quite quickly so you can only do it for a few seconds but it should be long enough to hear a hole in the exhaust. The noise an engine makes when the exhaust gases do not pass through the silencer is quite distinctive, think boy racer at night sound.

facade

Be careful not to burn yourself, but put the palm of your hand over the exhaust, if there is a hole you will hear the exhaust rushing out underneath somewhere.
If not, you will feel pressure build up until it pushes your hand off, or if you are very strong, stops the engine or bursts the silencer.

Engines always sound like a bag of spanners when recorded, but if it is extra rattly, probably because it has been run low on oil as said before.

A 2006 should work with an obd2 reader- what does the d900 say when trying to connect?

rich13348

facade wrote: »

A 2006 should work with an obd2 reader- what does the d900 say when trying to connect?

Its a 2001 and looking online they used a slightly different protocol back then iso 9141.
I would expect the newer cheap ones only read CAN protocol cars 2008 onwards.

facade

I missread the year

The old Toyotas used to have a diagnostic plug under the bonnet, you join two of the pins with a piece of wire and when you switch on the EML flashes out the error code.

Try joining a forum for the corolla, they are usually quite helpful, and will no doubt tell you how to do it, and may be able to suggest what to look for with the oil consumption problem.

The vvt unit on the end of the cam has been known to fail, that would reduce power at speed.

EdGasket

AdrianC wrote: »

There isn't, on many newer cars.

That's why I said 'nearly all cars'.

EdGasket

facade wrote: »

The old Toyotas used to have a diagnostic plug under the bonnet, you join two of the pins with a piece of wire and when you switch on the EML flashes out the error code.

If it has an OBD2 socket, which it does then it is unlikely the flash code method will work as that is OBD1. The reader the OP chose has a lot of 1* reviews on Amazon with people saying it does not work for all cars; maybe unlucky choice of reader. I have a 2000 W plate Honda that can be read by both my OBD2 reader and the ELM327 chip with a laptop; so a 2001 Jap car should be OBD2 and by law has to be if it is petrol and Y reg or later.

MrRipley

Thanks for the replies!

After many phone calls I've managed to get a garage to look at it tomorrow afternoon so will let you all know the (hopefully not too expensive) outcome.

I will try covering the exhaust for a few seconds to see if gases are escaping when I get home tonight.

The D900 OBD2 reader was only £17 from eBay, but I will be returning it because it states that it works on all Toyotas 1996 onwards so no reason as to why it won't work on mine.

MrRipley

Was in the local garage for an hour, only £30.

Mechanic said that it needed a spark plug, he fitted one he had lying around but recommended replacing all 4 with a new set.

There's a place that will do the following for £104.95 :

50 point safety check, oil filter, engine oil change, air filter, spark plugs, clean braking system, adjust handbrake+brakes, engine diagnostics, reset service indicator, mini valet and foam wash.

From what I can find online this seems to be the best deal, Halfords comes in at £170, my garage at £240 etc.

When driving home after stopping at the shops, the EML has come back on, but it is driving a lot better than before!

The mechanic said that the underlying fault is with the throttle body. He said that to have this replaced I would be looking at close to £400/500 depending on which one he can source. Obviously this is a lot compared to the value of the car (and the fact I've spent £300 in the last month).

Is it possible to have the throttle body cleaned?

AdrianC

MrRipley wrote: »

Mechanic said that it needed a spark plug, he fitted one he had lying around

Ohdearlawd.

Is it possible to have the throttle body cleaned?

Yes, although it may not be a perfect solution. Fiver on a can of carb cleaner spray from eBay or the local motor factor. Take the air filter off, and any trunking to the throttle body, then give it a really good spraying inside. Leave it for a little while, give it another spraying. Leave it a bit, re-assemble.

But I very much doubt this is your problem. This mechanic sounds like a muppet who's planning on taking you to the cleaners.

EdGasket

AdrianC wrote: »

Ohdearlawd.
This mechanic sounds like a muppet who's planning on taking you to the cleaners.

Hardly, he only charged £30