4AGE problems - failed Etest

[REN69]

So went for Etest on friday... it failed faster than the titanic did. HC and CO at least 2-3times higher than normal at both idle and load (40km/h).

Now I'm totally stumped because there are NO codes coming up, I reset the ECU last weekend when I removed the battery to do the thermostat as it was on the way, so totally forgot to pull codes, I've been driving it all week the same as always and still no codes.

Right now, driving normal it doesn't smoke but as soon as I rev it a nice black cloud comes out, also when I start the car it seems to idle rough at first, then it finally starts to idle ok after say 3 seconds or so.

Anyone ever try seafoam on a 4AGE? would you recommend it?

halp guise!

[toyotaspeed90]

seafoam won't hurt..... but the black smoke would be more concerning....

make sure you're running the lowest grade gas without detonation.

Make sure your AFM hasn't been tampered with (if there's sealant between the metal and plastic top piece it's been tampered with).

Make sure your o2 is working properly (won't throw a code until 100% faulty)

Make sure you are timed correctly in base timing -- this will also tell you if at the very least your TPS is working properly.... When you jumper the diag port for base timing you should hear the engine change tone completely... if it doesn't, then there's a problem with the TPS.

[REN69]

FINALLY A CODE FOR $%&* sakes!!!!111one

It finally popped up earlier in the afternoon on my way to drop off someone, nice black smoke cloud came up then I noticed the CEL light up.

Code 21 = Oxygen sensor

according to the Haynes manual, and this page http://www.off-road.com/toyota/tech/codes/
Funny thing is I just got back from Toyota from picking up the oxygen sensor I ordered on the weekend, when I pulled the code. we'll see what happens when I replace it.

It also looks like I have a small leak around the sensor flange, so maybe that fouled it, plus there's another small leak at the resonator so it looks like I'll be getting all that piping replaced plus my header installed.

[PhatRoyale]

If you're still planning on running Seafoam then I would suggest you leave the old oxygen sensor on there before just in case it gets fouled.

[REN69]

Yeah, I have some old plugs too that I may throw in there to put it through, I just want to clean up some of the carbon deposits at least, then start off fresh.

[jmaz87]

i've seafoamed the crap out of my 4afe with no problems. i just go for a spirited drive on the highway until the smoke is gone!

and it doesn't stand out at all... it already looks old as hell:P

[REN69]

So I've been doing a lot of driving the last few days, about 125km per day, as opposed to 150-200km per week; my car literally drank the oil it had, I noticed today that the oil pressure was going down fast so sure enough checked the level and it was gone.

I topped it up and checked the dipstick again, noticing both times that the oil seems to have black spotting... last oil change about 3weeks ago the oil was clean, so yeah it is more than just O2 sensors and what not, I'm burning oil faster than I thought.

Looks like it's time to find a 4dr daily driver and off to either rebuild or swap on the AE92, from the looks of it my next ride will most likely have an H on the front and will be a lot more CIVIlized unless of course I can find a Toyota I can like.

The curse of the smallport strikes again.

[Croatian_AE92]

that really sucks Ren. On the positive your old Ae92 is still running strong
I know we have a Blue top in our garage, not really sure what the plan is for it but Pm my brother.

[toyomoho]

The oil may have effected the O2 sensor and converter performance.

Combined the above with burned oil and your emissions reading can be high.

[REN69]

Exactly... fouled O2 sensor and cat by now.

I think I might start looking for a jdm smallport and swap that in, probably cheaper to do so... a bluetop bigport might not work properly with the smallport electronics and other things that differ from the bigports.

We'll see what happens, I'm looking at a couple of cars tomorrow, including a 3spd automatic 01 Prizm.

[jmaz87]

how many miles did you get out of it???

[REN69]

I think I've had this problem for a while come to think of it... car passed E-test very crappy the last time around, and I had noticed slight oil consumption but didn't think anything of it till the last year where it became more noticeable. Bought it at 140,000kms it is now at 189,000kms I believe, around there.

The problem is that the car sat for a couple of years before it was driven properly, the previous owner's dad used to start it from time to time, but mostly sat in a heated garage as he had moved out of the country, when it landed in my hands I drove it for the summer and stored it for winters for two years.

I'm sure the seals were not in the best of shape after sitting for long, and who knows what else. Either way I think I'm parking it for a while and maybe (emphasis on the word) driving a Tercel in the meantime if I decide to go for it.

My choices are swap or rebuild... I'm even thinking of a 20V swap but I think GZE would be a better choice as parts would be a little more available down here, 3SGTE swap would be out of reach for now but you never know. Final choice is to sell the car, and when I get back on my feet again job-wise I'll most likely pick up an AE86 or a Supra.

[4agetercel]

hmmm if you were closer id do you a rebuild, yeah i doubt the bigport would work for your car, also those numbers being as high as they are could point towards your cat too

[REN69]

Cat was replaced 2yrs ago for the last E-test, it still failed it that time around... then the mechanic messed around with the EGR valve and put it on again and passed.

I'm pretty sure it won't pass unless the oil problem is taken care of, that could take some time and money to fix which I don't have right now.

[4doorGTS]

Too bad I have a jdm bigport for sale, and also have a usdm smallport long block, a little rusty but it ran solid when pulled @ 289 xxxkms. Hey in a pinch we could toss it in if you could get the car down here.