Big engine trouble (FYI)... - Toyota Yaris Forums

Goose · 09-26-2006, 03:53 PM

Hi everybody,

Just wanted to let y'all know that my Yaris liftback has to have its engine pulled next week.

The initial diagnosis is that the (rear?) main seal is bad and needs to be replaced. The "worst-case scenario" at this stage is that the crank is defective and requires a new short block. We'll know for sure once the tech has had a chance to pull the engine/tranny and have a better look inside the clutch housing.

All this came about when I noticed a little oil weeping out of the seam between the clutch housing and the gearbox (see pic below). I seriously doubt that this is a widespread problem; I think I just got lucky. My dealer has always been great and is attending to this issue without any questions asked. Just adding to the knowledge base here at YarisWorld.

I'll keep you all informed...

foober · 09-26-2006, 06:46 PM

thanks for sharing. HOw many miles did you have on it when it started leaking oil.

ECHOKnight2000 · 09-26-2006, 06:50 PM

Yikes! That's not good! I wonder if you got a lemon? I wish you luck and keep us posted!

07WYarisRS · 09-26-2006, 06:55 PM

It's common with every car mfg to have a problem or two with a couple hundred or thousand cars from a year or two line up.
bummer it happened to you.

foober · 09-26-2006, 06:58 PM

I'd ask them for a new car if you don't have too many miles on it yet or just bought it. If you got a lemon it seems they ought to accomadate you with a new car.

Goose · 09-26-2006, 07:54 PM

Thanks for the support, guys.

I really enjoy my little Yaris - I'm at about 7800 miles(!) My miles are normal highway stuff, nothing brutal.

This issue is no big deal, really - my dealer is very nice and is going to get things straightened out. I'm sure Toyota themselves will be interested, since this kind of thing doesn't happen too often with their cars (at least that's their reputation).

I agree with 07WYarisRS' opinion in that I was just the "lucky one" that got a dud. I still think that the Yaris is one of the best cars on the road; especially when you consider how inexpensive, practical and well-designed it is.

I'll keep you guys posted...

as400g33k · 09-26-2006, 09:59 PM

Cool man.. nice attitude.

w1ngzer0 · 09-27-2006, 11:18 AM

Time for a 2zz/1zz swap? :)

Katana · 09-27-2006, 12:16 PM

Sorry to see that.

How did you understand that something was wrong?By the oil leak?

Goose · 09-27-2006, 01:17 PM

I saw a few drops of oil on the garage floor, so I slid a piece of cardboard under the engine for a while to locate the drip. The "drip" is very slow - maybe a drop or so per day (at least that's what makes it outside the bellhousing). Even though it's a slow leak, I figured I'd take it in the have it checked out.

I'll try to find out what I can when I take the car in. My dealer's service guys are always willing to chat about these things, so if there's anything to report, I'll pass it along.

The idea of an engine swap is cool, but the extra power would be just wasted on me (just a middle-aged geek).

ChinoCharles · 09-27-2006, 01:21 PM

Uh-oh... hey Goose which cornfield do you live in haha.

Goose · 09-27-2006, 01:41 PM

Nearest town is Fostoria (ugh).

ChinoCharles · 09-27-2006, 01:44 PM

Aha, I know where that is. I used to go to BGSU... definitely lots of corn out there.

Katana · 09-27-2006, 02:35 PM

Thanks for answering Goose

paeko73 · 09-28-2006, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 07WYarisRS

It's common with every car mfg to have a problem or two with a couple hundred or thousand cars from a year or two line up.
bummer it happened to you.

That's true, but the Yaris' 1.5L engine has been around long enough in the Scion's. It's been more than "a year or two" already!

07WYarisRS · 09-28-2006, 09:46 AM

Still
It's completely normal.

If not you would never see any new cars in the dealership service departments.

Usually after a few bad cases they solve the problem, in this case they may have changed the seal design slightly, cracnk design slightly hell it could even be a defect from casting or tooling or robotics that put it together or damaged while installin' it. Heck it could even be operator error shoul he use a wrong oil or additive, hard driving on a cold engine etc.
Either way you will NEVER see a car line up without some minor problems like oil leaks, coolant leaks, defective parts etc.
I've been building engines for years for cars, bikes, ATV etc and 99.9% of the time everything is perfect but once in a while there is that one engine...

Goose · 10-03-2006, 11:50 PM

Okay - I dropped off the car today and the dealer's had a chance to get a good look (ie pull the engine and tear it apart).

It isn't the rear main seal, it's the transmission. Apparently the fluid/oil is leaking from the point at which the main tranny output shaft exits the tranny case. The gasket/seal around the shaft is fine - no damage. The consensus is that the output shaft is out of tolerance and the repair requires replacing the tranny. The situation is similar to needing a new short block when the crankshaft is out of tolerance; it's easier to replace the whole unit than R & R just the shaft.

Here's the interesting part: according to Toyota, there are no new Yaris transmissions in the US. My dealer has placed a priority order with Toyota for a replacement tranny, but there's no estimate as to how long it'll take to show up. Quite a soap opera...

As always, I'll keep you guys posted. Just adding to our collective Yaris experience.

Violin · 10-04-2006, 06:45 AM

Not one tranny? That blows.

Thanks for the update.

09-26-2006, 03:53 PM	#1
Goose Car Geek Drives: Yaris Liftback Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Ohio cornfields Posts: 213	Big engine trouble (FYI)... Hi everybody, Just wanted to let y'all know that my Yaris liftback has to have its engine pulled next week. The initial diagnosis is that the (rear?) main seal is bad and needs to be replaced. The "worst-case scenario" at this stage is that the crank is defective and requires a new short block. We'll know for sure once the tech has had a chance to pull the engine/tranny and have a better look inside the clutch housing. All this came about when I noticed a little oil weeping out of the seam between the clutch housing and the gearbox (see pic below). I seriously doubt that this is a widespread problem; I think I just got lucky. My dealer has always been great and is attending to this issue without any questions asked. Just adding to the knowledge base here at YarisWorld. I'll keep you all informed... Attached Images __________________ Kevin '07 Blazing Blue 5-speed liftback (sold) '08 Black auto liftback (sold) '09 Carmine Red auto 4-door liftback (sold)

09-26-2006, 06:50 PM	#3
ECHOKnight2000 Small Car Lover View User's Garage Drives: A Super Car Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Minnesota, US of A! Posts: 830	Yikes! That's not good! I wonder if you got a lemon? I wish you luck and keep us posted! __________________ You may look good on the beach but in reality you're a pompus, egotistical jerk. "I was never on the beach with you..."and you never will.

09-26-2006, 06:55 PM	#4
07WYarisRS HardlyDangerous Drives: 09 Yaris LE, H/B, auto Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ridgeway Ontario Posts: 573	It's common with every car mfg to have a problem or two with a couple hundred or thousand cars from a year or two line up. bummer it happened to you. __________________ The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

09-26-2006, 07:54 PM	#6
Goose Car Geek Drives: Yaris Liftback Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Ohio cornfields Posts: 213	Thanks for the support, guys. I really enjoy my little Yaris - I'm at about 7800 miles(!) My miles are normal highway stuff, nothing brutal. This issue is no big deal, really - my dealer is very nice and is going to get things straightened out. I'm sure Toyota themselves will be interested, since this kind of thing doesn't happen too often with their cars (at least that's their reputation). I agree with 07WYarisRS' opinion in that I was just the "lucky one" that got a dud. I still think that the Yaris is one of the best cars on the road; especially when you consider how inexpensive, practical and well-designed it is. I'll keep you guys posted... __________________ Kevin '07 Blazing Blue 5-speed liftback (sold) '08 Black auto liftback (sold) '09 Carmine Red auto 4-door liftback (sold)

09-27-2006, 12:16 PM	#9
Katana Drives: Yaris LB 1.3lt 06 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Under the hood! Posts: 1,124	Sorry to see that. How did you understand that something was wrong?By the oil leak? __________________ It's not the ride, it's the rider!

09-26-2006, 06:46 PM	#2
foober Drives: two yaris liftbacks Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: kalispell, montana Posts: 351	thanks for sharing. HOw many miles did you have on it when it started leaking oil.

09-26-2006, 06:58 PM	#5
foober Drives: two yaris liftbacks Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: kalispell, montana Posts: 351	I'd ask them for a new car if you don't have too many miles on it yet or just bought it. If you got a lemon it seems they ought to accomadate you with a new car.

09-26-2006, 09:59 PM	#7
as400g33k Drives: 05 YRS Silver Lining Metallic Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 249	Cool man.. nice attitude.

09-27-2006, 11:18 AM	#8
w1ngzer0 Drives: Subaru Impreza Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Phoenix,AZ Posts: 73	Time for a 2zz/1zz swap? :)

09-27-2006, 01:17 PM	#10
Goose Car Geek Drives: Yaris Liftback Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Ohio cornfields Posts: 213	I saw a few drops of oil on the garage floor, so I slid a piece of cardboard under the engine for a while to locate the drip. The "drip" is very slow - maybe a drop or so per day (at least that's what makes it outside the bellhousing). Even though it's a slow leak, I figured I'd take it in the have it checked out. I'll try to find out what I can when I take the car in. My dealer's service guys are always willing to chat about these things, so if there's anything to report, I'll pass it along. The idea of an engine swap is cool, but the extra power would be just wasted on me (just a middle-aged geek). __________________ Kevin '07 Blazing Blue 5-speed liftback (sold) '08 Black auto liftback (sold) '09 Carmine Red auto 4-door liftback (sold)

09-27-2006, 01:21 PM	#11
ChinoCharles Banned Drives: LB Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: OH Posts: 7,787	Uh-oh... hey Goose which cornfield do you live in haha.

09-27-2006, 01:41 PM	#12
Goose Car Geek Drives: Yaris Liftback Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Ohio cornfields Posts: 213	Nearest town is Fostoria (ugh). __________________ Kevin '07 Blazing Blue 5-speed liftback (sold) '08 Black auto liftback (sold) '09 Carmine Red auto 4-door liftback (sold)

09-27-2006, 01:44 PM	#13
ChinoCharles Banned Drives: LB Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: OH Posts: 7,787	Aha, I know where that is. I used to go to BGSU... definitely lots of corn out there.

09-27-2006, 02:35 PM	#14
Katana Drives: Yaris LB 1.3lt 06 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Under the hood! Posts: 1,124	Thanks for answering Goose __________________ It's not the ride, it's the rider!

09-28-2006, 09:46 AM	#16
07WYarisRS HardlyDangerous Drives: 09 Yaris LE, H/B, auto Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ridgeway Ontario Posts: 573	Still It's completely normal. If not you would never see any new cars in the dealership service departments. Usually after a few bad cases they solve the problem, in this case they may have changed the seal design slightly, cracnk design slightly hell it could even be a defect from casting or tooling or robotics that put it together or damaged while installin' it. Heck it could even be operator error shoul he use a wrong oil or additive, hard driving on a cold engine etc. Either way you will NEVER see a car line up without some minor problems like oil leaks, coolant leaks, defective parts etc. I've been building engines for years for cars, bikes, ATV etc and 99.9% of the time everything is perfect but once in a while there is that one engine... __________________ The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

10-03-2006, 11:50 PM	#17
Goose Car Geek Drives: Yaris Liftback Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Ohio cornfields Posts: 213	An update... Okay - I dropped off the car today and the dealer's had a chance to get a good look (ie pull the engine and tear it apart). It isn't the rear main seal, it's the transmission. Apparently the fluid/oil is leaking from the point at which the main tranny output shaft exits the tranny case. The gasket/seal around the shaft is fine - no damage. The consensus is that the output shaft is out of tolerance and the repair requires replacing the tranny. The situation is similar to needing a new short block when the crankshaft is out of tolerance; it's easier to replace the whole unit than R & R just the shaft. Here's the interesting part: according to Toyota, there are no new Yaris transmissions in the US. My dealer has placed a priority order with Toyota for a replacement tranny, but there's no estimate as to how long it'll take to show up. Quite a soap opera... As always, I'll keep you guys posted. Just adding to our collective Yaris experience. __________________ Kevin '07 Blazing Blue 5-speed liftback (sold) '08 Black auto liftback (sold) '09 Carmine Red auto 4-door liftback (sold)

10-04-2006, 06:45 AM	#18
Violin View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Yaris LB Auto Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,592	Not one tranny? That blows. Thanks for the update.

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