a few problems with my ae101

[Dirtbag]

Just wondering what are some common things that go wrong with S/Ts that result in a lack of power. After going in two other cars recently with S/Ts I have come to the conclusion that mines slow as shit, and along with the not as good as it used to be fuel consumption wouldn't mind seeing if I can't fix the problems.
I am pretty sure the vvt pulleys screwed, it makes the tractor ticking alot of the time.
It seems hesitant sometimes on power, and has random flat spots (could be linked to screwed vvt pulley?) The flat spots don't really happen at any set time or revs, just randomly when I will drive I will go to give it a little gas going into a 80/100kph zone and it doesn't seem to smoothly go through the rev range, I feel acceleration drop for half a second and my body shifts forwards then gets pushed back as acceleration returns to what it was.

Also, a huge DONK when ever I engage the clutch if I am not really smooth, or if I let off the gas/put it on roughly. If I have the handbrake on and let out the clutch just so it starts to engage it also makes the huge DONK, it sounds like its the engine knocking around in its mounts, which have all been replaced recently with TGP parts (the old ones were not even that bad)

Front suspension creaks over bumps (common superstrut problem, have some lower k's 2nd hand arms and links to go in, hopefully stop it)

The engine has just done over 200k, I have looked after it pretty well, oil and filter changes each, and one of the S/Ts that was in same car (ae101) had 240k and went alot nicer than the one in my car.

Any help on sorting out the engine power and the DONK much appreciated

[levinguy]

might sound stupid, but any codes?

might be the oxy sensor past its best? based on the fuel consumption

have you checked the conditions of the plugs/leads?

[Dirtbag]

No codes which kinda suprised me considering how bad its been running

[AceSniper]

take it plugs are good?
Check leads
Check timing with a timing light with e1/te1 jumped
Fuel filter been replaced?
look at replacing your oxy with a bosch one

[Dell'Orto]

Also the ECU often makes them run like a bag of shit when caps leak, and doesnt throw codes either. A friends car did the exact same thing with flatspots etc when her ECU was poked.

[RS13]

Mine had the same issues as yours when I bought it. My VVT pulley was so buggered it sounded like a diesel at idle! So I had the dealer replace it with a low-km one.

The flatspots.. my car seemed to get slower and slower, then it started hesitating, flat spotting, jerking around at cruise speeds and when coming off/going on the throttle. I cleaned my 02 sensor, the problem cleared up for a couple of weeks, then started to come back, although not as bad! So I unplugged the 02 sensor. That was about 3 months ago.. and I haven't had a problem since, although it still kicks about a bit when coming onto the throttle, but after talking to other ST owners it sounds like the norm. Revs cleanly and pulls well through to redline.. hasn't used any more gas with it unplugged either.

I had checked everything else, replaced a whole bunch of stuff trying to sort the problem.. so my advice, either replace the 02 sensor with a new one (around $220 I think through the TS man), or just unplug it and see if that makes a difference.

Btw my ECU was perfect, and I hadn't had an 02 sensor code either.

[kim0663]

that jumping around wihle getting on and off throttle is most likely superstrut. Kinda hard to diagnose unless your wheels are on the ground.

[RS13]

that jumping around wihle getting on and off throttle is most likely superstrut. Kinda hard to diagnose unless your wheels are on the ground.

No, its' not. If my superstrut had that much play in it, I wouldn't be driving it, and it wouldn't have passed a warrant like that. Its' engine related, perhaps fuel or TPS perhaps. Say you were driving along in 4th at 50kmh, if you took your foot off the gas, then put it back down, it would give a little "kick" before revving up.

[Dirtbag]

I have had a mechanic look at the knocking/DONKing and he couldn't find anything. I might take it to ilam toyota and get it looked at there, hopefully being fully familiar with the car might get them onto the problem.
After having all the engine mounts done in the car and something still DONKing, I was suspecting something in the suspension, or something else in the drivetrain.

[AceSniper]

make sure your hub nuts are done up tight with the donk....

Also if you do oxy use a bosch replacement... there cheaper and seam to last better

[rollaholic]

didnt sergei do some posts about early silvertop injectors being a bit shit and causing problems?

might pay to do a search on that