Corolla weak engine

[pwuser170576195070]

I just got engine compression test done of my corolla Altis 1.6 2013. The reading is 150. How bad is it? Do I need an immediate engine replacement? How bad is it for long drive?

[msabbasi]

That is it just one reading. You need to check all four cylinders. Difference between highest and lowest reading should be less than 10%.

In order to answer if 150 is good, we need to know what is the compression ratio of your engine. From a bit of Google research I think you have a 1ZR-FE engine but not sure as there are more than one 1.6 VVTI engines from Toyota. In any case if the compression ratio is 10.7:1, in order to calculate a theoretical compression number for your engine (assuming compression ratio is indeed 10.7:1) is 10.7X14.7=157.29 psi. That is at sea level. As one goes higher, the standard air pressure of 14.7 reduces and so will the result of the compression test.

A reading of 150psi should not be cause for concern.

[pwuser170576195070]

All 4 cylinders showed 150psi

[msabbasi]

All 4 cylinders showed 150psi

That is very good. And your location? The compression number is linked to the atmospheric pressure which in turn is linked to altitude. At almost sea level (Karachi) atmospheric pressure is 14.7 but in Murree (7500ft above sea level) the atmospheric pressure is 13.5. So your engine will develop 13.5X10.7 = 144.7 psi of compression in Murree.

Just a heads up. Is your compression gauge calibrated? I once used a compression gauge I borrowed from my mechanic and it was totally wrong. Ended up buying my own.

I think your engine is healthy.

[msabbasi]

To be more accurate, what is your engine code?

[pwuser170576195070]

City is Karachi and engine code is 12R-FE

[pwuser170576195070]

After replacing the condenser, compressor, and AC coil in my car, the AC is putting more load on the engine and loses its cooling efficiency after 2-3 minutes. Then, after about 20 seconds, it returns to normal cooling. The AC technician is skilled, so I'm unsure if a weak engine is causing this issue. Even on highway it's not giving me more than 12km/l on light foot on ac. I bought the car in Ramzan and already spent 3lacs on tyre, suspension, brakes, ac and just got to know after Torque garage did the inspection today that oil pump needs replacement with engine health as weak...

This is my first time buying a used car after extensive searching, and now I'm disheartened by the experience. Every week, I encounter a new issue to address.

[supraman2jz]

These cars have an inherent AC problem. It's not actually a problem, but local mechanics do not know how to deal with this. This car basically comes with a sensor type compressor, the problem occurs when it's low on gas and the compressor fails. Local mechanics replace it with an older gen compressor, which never works like it should. I have owned this model and the AC was always a problem.

Also, I think your engine is fine. a compression reading of 150 psi across the board is fine.

[msabbasi]

City is Karachi and engine code is 12R-FE

There is no Toyota Corolla engine code 1 2 R-FE. It is 1 Z R-FE. So my initial research was correct. Your engine compression ratio is indeed 10.7:1. So all calculations above hold true.

[msabbasi]

After replacing the condenser, compressor, and AC coil in my car, the AC is putting more load on the engine and loses its cooling efficiency after 2-3 minutes. Then, after about 20 seconds, it returns to normal cooling. The AC technician is skilled,

I am not so certain the a/c guy is as skilled as you are giving him credit for.

so I'm unsure if a weak engine is causing this issue. Even on highway it's not giving me more than 12km/l on light foot on ac.

Poor fuel economy needs to be investigated and one should start with the low cost items before going for the high cost items such an engine rebuild etc.

I bought the car in Ramzan and already spent 3lacs on tyre, suspension, brakes, ac and just got to know after Torque garage did the inspection today that oil pump needs replacement with engine health as weak.

May I please ask what has made Torque Garage suspect the oil pump? Does the oil light come on at idle when engine is fully heated? Is there a rattle at start up? Have you put an oil pressure gauge on the oil system to actually check the pressure? Do you know what is the oil pressure specs for this engine?

This is my first time buying a used car after extensive searching, and now I'm disheartened by the experience. Every week, I encounter a new issue to address.

When you bought the car, how many KM were on the clock? had the car been serviced at the stipulated milage? When the service was done, were all the items on the service menu done?

My replies to your concerns are in italics above.

[pwuser170576195070]

Thank you, Abbasi sb for answering each query in detail.

Firstly, I had the AC issue checked by 4 different technicians, including Frosticar AC, and all of them concluded that the compressor was weak and needed replacement. The original part was very expensive, so I opted for an aftermarket one. Even if the technicians were not highly experienced, replacing all parts should have resolved the AC problem, but the AC started losing its performance after 350-370 km.

Secondly, my engine light came on after the AC work was done and the car was driven for 400 km. Additionally, there is a strange "JHiz" sound when starting the car in the morning. According to Torque mechanics, the oil pump is weak and is causing a delay in pumping oil to the engine
They also showed me an oil leak below the oil pump.

Thirdly, my brother and his friend from a car workshop inspected the car when buying it. However, I strongly believe that the previous owner did not maintain it properly. Otherwise, 180K km is not much if the car is well-maintained.

Lastly, I have read your comment on the engine's health, but what should I do now? I am planning not to invest any more money in it and sell it in two months, informing the buyer about the engine issue. I will incur a loss as this car has already cost me Rs 3.5 MN.

P.S. We always bought brand new cars and had them serviced at the showroom, so I had no prior experience with buying second-hand cars. That's why I am not aware of many things related to it.

[consigliori]

Very nice to read that you will inform the buyer about issues in the car. That's the true spirit bhai, integrity and values must be adhered to. Now to share my experience of a weak engine and AC performance.
I always get all AC work done from Hashir AC (Arshad Bhai) behind NADRA office Phase 1 DHA Karachi. He is always spot on. When I had my cultus, he repaired the AC and checked everything. AC would be chill but would stop working after some time, then would again work. He told me your engine is weak, I got it checked and yes engine was weak. I only got the rings and head work done ( nothing with the AC). As soon as the engine work was done, AC performed as of from factory and didn't give any trouble until I sold it 3-4 years later.

[pwuser170576195070]

Wish everyone does the same here. . I have planned to get the oil pump fix. If AC problem remain, I will sell it in few months then

[msabbasi]

Like you, I always buy zero meter cars. The only time I bought used cars (3 in total in Feb 2023) was because we needed them and new cars were not being produced due to the country's cash flow problems. In all three cases I bought near new cars with 2000, 12000 and 10000 km on them.

I want to say it seems that you have thoroughly checked the oil pump issue but I am not 100% convinced. The noise at startup is one indication of a weak pump. Oil pumps going weak can be caused by neglecting oil changes. Speaking of skipped oil changes, I wonder if there is a suction strainer in front of the pump which is clogged. When they open the oil pan ask them to have a look. I cant understand the connection between having an oil leak below the pump and its not performing to spec. The pump picks up the oil through a strainer and pushes it through the cannister type oil filter and then through passages to the bearings and camshafts and to the VVTi system. Cant see how an external oil leak is indicative of a weak pump. If this Torque Garage are as good as they seem, they surely must be having an pressure gauge that fits in place of the oil pressure sender unit. Have this checked before condemning the car.

Oil pressure tester looks like this.

Oil pressure testing procedure is listed here: https://www.scribd.com/document/242549233/Toyota-Engine-Oil-Pressure-Test But you will have to create and account in order to read it. First three pages can be seen without having an account.

The coming on of the check engine light means that the engine has thrown a trouble code. It may well be the reason for your low fuel economy. But as you have already made up your mind to dump this car, carrying on with this discussion is academic. So best of luck with your sale. It is very honorable of you to sell the car with full disclosure. Not many people do that.

[pwuser170576195070]

Thank you for your detailed response.

[affanhaq94]

Your car has a low oil pressure light. Has it ever come on while driving or idling? That would be an indication.

I would be weary of the AC work you had done. Are you sure they did it correctly with correct refrigerant amount refilled? Too much refrigerant can cause issues too, such as compressor kicking on and off repeatedly.

[pwuser170576195070]

My query has been answered in detailed. Thank you brother.

[pwuser166331039855]

I will sell it in few months then

When some technical issue pops up in the car, then it gives you two chances.

Either you can learn from it by fixing it or you keep blaming the old owner in classic ways !!!

We should face the problems and don’t turn our back on them.

Your engine is fine. I would suggest to visit the AC guy as suggested
by another member (Arshad bhai in DHA-1 behind Nadra office). Don’t tell him whole history and let him make the diagnoses.

However there is method to check the fuel pressure too. If can do it before visiting AC guy, then it would be great. However apparently it seems your engine is fine but cooling system needs to be address with proper care.

[pwuser170576195070]

I replaced the radiator because it was leaking. The condenser was damaged, and the compressor was weak, so I had the condenser, compressor, and coil all replaced. This was my first experience with a used car, and after buying it, I learned a lot about car parts and maintenance. I read threads on PW and other websites, which helped me anticipate potential issues before seeing a mechanic. Following your suggestion, I will take one more chance then.

Just to know my situation, here is the breakdown of 4lacs that I have already invested in 4months on the car after buying:

• 80k for engine oil and gear oil, filters, and transmission oil
• 80k for suspension
• 60k for replacing all AC parts
• 70k for transfer and tax
• 88k for tires
• 12k battery
• A few thousand more on miscellaneous expenses

[pwuser166331039855]

Last year I bought a jeep for me. Its 1997 model.

After buying I drove it for a month and made my observations about the technical works it needs.

I send my jeep to a trust workshop and after one month i got her back with bill of 0.7mil. And here is the list of works I remember which are done on it.

Ball joints changed, All boots replaced, steering rack, power pump, Drive Shaft & bearing, 4 shock absorbers, all bad bushings, all hose pipes, Radiator Serviced, Fan cluch, All belts changed, included timing tensioner, Fluids changed including transfer case. Etc. etc.

(4-tires were replaced before sending the jeep to workshop.)

Doing all these works gives me the satisfaction, confidence & peace of mind on the vehicle while driving. Now drove it two times to ICT, one time to Bahawalpur, one time to Faisalabad, and few other trips. Apart of that, its my daily runner which I know I can take it everywhere.

So attending the technical issues not only gives you tons of information, but also bring the peace of mind & confidence while driving. I believe you will have the same feeling once your AC issue is sorted out.

Tundi-e-Baad-e-Mukhalif say na ghabra ay uqaab,
Yeh to chalti hey tujhy ooncha orany kay liye