[MR2] MR2 news from Top Gear

[Joel]

Bill,

I was looking over a friend's 2009 Impreza compared to my 99 Impreza.  
Despite the fact that they're using basically the same engine, the newer 
models produces a WHOPPING 4hp more than my 99.  And yet with the newer 
car you have electric throttle, a car payment, higher insurance costs 
and a heavier vehicle, etc.  Now, I'm somewhat glad that Subaru is 
sticking with proven technology, but its insane that the price of 
getting a new car, you really do not get a whole lot more than the same 
basic car from a few years ago.  Hell, I'd sooner get an 02 Impreza 
Wagon, have a far smaller car payment (if any at all), a lighter car, a 
real throttle cable - and with the cash saved, you could go out and 
upgrade the brake pads and tires!

BTW - The injectors used in the 4age are 'L-Jetronic' type developed by 
Bosch. :)  Its detailed in the BGB, which is the only reason why I know, 
but I was looking into retrofitting the Toyota Venza injectors onto a 
4age of 3sge.  Whereas the 4age injectors have a single nozzle to 
atomize the fuel into the combustion chamber for even burn, the Venza 
injectors have 12 nozzles.  Last I recall, the Venza uses direction 
cylinder injection at something close to 2000psi in the fuel rail.  Upon 
quick inspection, it does not appear that physically, they would not fit 
on either end - but, I am not 100% sure.  But, I do not know if they 
would operate properly at the low psi level that the factory AW11 fuel 
pumps operates at.

As you might've determined, I am no mechanic or engineer.  Just someone 
with wild ideas that I try to chase down. :)

As per your problem, the first thing I might try to see where the 
problem is, is to take a voltmeter to the connector for the cold start 
injector.  If it does get proper voltage when power is applied, then 
test to make sure the injector itself isn't frozen.  Beyond that, have 
you double checked the fuses?

I've done a lot of reading on the AW11 - I've heard that the AW11 
chassis was originally a Lotus design, but they abandoned it.  Also, a 
lot of people hold fast that the 4ag(z)e is a Yamaha design, but 
everything I've read has stated with absolute clarity that it is a 100% 
proprietary Toyota design - the 3sg(t)e on the other hand was 
co-developed by Yamaha & Toyota.  Though, if you take a quick peek at 
the Ford BDA engines, you will see the roots of the 4ag(z)e.  In Ford 
speak, BDA = Belt Driven A series engine.  Regardless of displacement, 
the 4ag/3sg/7mg/2jzg (and similar) are all BDA type engines - the 
20r/22r being chain driven, would classify those types of engines as not 
being BDA type engines, for obvious reasons. :)

Back on topic, I'm not happy with all the technology that its forced 
into newer cars.  I prefer to be simpler and less reliant on an 
integrated circuit working properly 100% of the time in order for my car 
to start and run.  Although, this would help to explain why I do not 
like the idea of owning a car with forced induction - too many things to 
go wrong. :)

In all the years that I've owned my AW11 or AE86, or friend's AW11s - I 
have never fallen victim to a frozen alternator.  A worn alternator, 
yes, a few times where the brushes wear out - replace them and you're on 
your way down the road.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByHPW-eo7G4
Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPi7vRk9vjw
Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_5S5N9H_ZY
Part 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBjmiN008jY
Part 4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-iQvDZ6ix0
Part 5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhOeGX2FieY
Part 6

The above links are for a show called 'Wheeler Dealer' that broadcasts 
in the UK and on BBC America.  Those 6 clips make up the whole episode 
and they do touch on the alternator bearing problem, so give it a once 
over. :)

- Joel -



William Brandt wrote:
> Joel - I am somewhat of a Luddite with car technology too. Am proud to 
> say both my old cars - both 86 - don't even have a diagnostic plug.
>  
> I do have a cold start problem with the MB and the Bosch CIS injection 
> system. Runs fine when warmed up but I don't think the cold start 
> injector is working. And I don't even know if the most modern car with 
> the OBD diagnostic system would help anyway - could be anything from 
> the fuel pump relay to the cold start injector to a little thing on 
> the back of the fuel distributor that varies the pressure.
>  
> With my current finances a shop would be out of the question but to 
> tell you the truth even they will sometimes throw parts at the problem 
> (after some intelligent guessing).
>  
> Technology being what it is even my father's 2000 is old tech now.
>  
> The mr2 is really pretty simple. Never had any problem with the 
> injection system - well, perhaps one when a piston burned up - and I 
> suspect from a semi clogged injector - but that is really the only 
> major mechanical problem. Other than the 1st 4A-GE destroying itself 
> from too much carbon. BTW read that Lotus may have had a hand in 
> designing that engine.
>  
> I heard that the injection system was a Nippondenso copy of a Bosch 
> (who pioneered it) system.
>  
> Bosch developed it for the aircraft engines (developed for the DB603 
> engine which powered the Me109) - well, I am now rambling but suffice 
> it to say on the whole I think all the added technology bodes ill for 
> car longetivity. Just too much to go wrong and as the years pass fewer 
> and fewer people know how to work on the "old technology". Not ALL of 
> the technology is bad - my Bosch ABS pump is 24 years old and I think 
> one of the reasons I have had no trouble with it (knock on wood) is 
> that I have flushed the brake fluid every 2 years. Keeps the pump 
> innards clean.
>  
> BTW anyone know what is behind the stuck accelerator problem with Toyota?
>  
> Bill
>  
> ***
> MR2 news from Top Gear
> To: James <seawa.anon at gmail.com <mailto:seawa.anon at gmail.com>>
> Cc: mr2 at mr2.com <mailto:mr2 at mr2.com>
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>
> The more technology that I see being integrated into vehicles, the more
> and more I resolve to never get rid of my 1986 Mr2.
>
> No power steering, no ABS, no airbags, no electric throttle, no active
> yaw control, no electronic differentials, no OBDII, no stability or
> traction control.  In other words: Perfect!
>
> And if my Mr2 were to be destroyed in an accident, I would just get
> another and enjoy being a luddite.
>
> - Joel -