MR2. need help! - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Mistertwo!! · 05-23-2011, 10:49 AM

hey, Im currently looking at buying a 1990 Mr2 turbo for $4500. It has 110 thousand kms, right hand drive and in great shape. But the only thing that scares me is the owner says that the turbo only pushes 5 psi, is this normal for a stock turbo to be only pushing 5 psi? or is their problems with this turbo?? Im trying to learn as much as i can before buying, HELP!
Thanks -Ty

BDSL · 05-23-2011, 11:24 AM

The range should be between 7-11 psi as per service manual.

***MR2Jedi*** · 05-23-2011, 11:55 AM

The ECU has detected a problem and put it in " Safe Mode".
When in this mode, it won't boost past 7psi,max, until the problem is fixed.
Could be many things.
I would start by doing a complete ignition system check and look for boost leaks along the intake path. Look for vacuum leaks also.

Mistertwo!! · 05-23-2011, 12:17 PM

MR2Jedi-

OKay i havent bought the car yet and its 9 hours away so i cant check these things so i sent your message to him to see what he has to say. Is it possible to buy the aftermarket ECU thing to cancel out the safe mode? Im new, What would you do in my situation.??
Thanks

***MR2Jedi*** · 05-23-2011, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mistertwo!!

MR2Jedi-

OKay i havent bought the car yet and its 9 hours away so i cant check these things so i sent your message to him to see what he has to say. Is it possible to buy the aftermarket ECU thing to cancel out the safe mode? Im new, What would you do in my situation.??
Thanks

The ECU put the engine in safe mode to protect it from major damage.
The problem MUST be fixed if you ever want to boost over 5-7psi.
In fact, if the problem is not addressed, it will more than likely get worse.
It could simply just need a tune up or have a leaky hose.Or it could be something more complicated.
Since I cannot see or drive the car, I would not advise you to purchase or not.
Alot depends on how much you're willing to invest in the car after the purchase and your mechanical abilities and experience.(if you do your own work). otherwise, it's all about money.
The car is 20 yrs old, you will undoubtably have to put time and money into it.
I would most certainly not buy it unless you have another dependable car to drive.

Mistertwo!! · 05-24-2011, 10:59 AM

MR2Jedi-Thank you for all your information, The guy tells me that the car seems to run perfectly, and he can hear the turbo spool up and the car has jam. He says that toyota must have tuned the car conservatively, possible? If the car was in safe mode, would the car still run great? also could you take the battery out for a few minutes to reset the ecu?
Thanks,

BDSL · 05-24-2011, 01:14 PM

There are a few factors in which the engine will run in safe mode....but not limited to these factors only...

- ambient temperature below 32degF (or something like that)
- water/coolant not reaching operating temperature
- faulty actuator

If you are going to buy a car which already has trouble, why even bother wasting time to investigage. And judging by your MR2 technical knowledge, it will be a big learning curve and $$$$.

Just walk away and look for other MR2s.

Mistertwo!! · 07-19-2011, 04:14 PM

The guy selling it seems to know nothing. He kept telling me "since its a toyota it needs no maintenance". every car needs maintenance. Im thinking boost leak, ive done a boost check on an r33 gts and it was a breeze. Anything else like dirty air filter, or other little things that could cause it to run low boost? The only reason im following up on this mr2 is cuz he said he will take $3000 since he lost his job (so he says) I just think it would be badass to buy it for dirt cheap, find a boost leak and be off to the races. Any information helps, thanks

andyb16 · 07-19-2011, 05:19 PM

Does the car have an aftermarket boost gauge, or is he getting the 5 psi reading from the stock one? The stock gauge is useless, and the car could be running normally. Where is the car located? If I were you, I'd try to find an MR2 owner local to the car who could check it out for you. The MR2 community is great and I'm sure you could find someone. Check the regional forums on mr2oc.

Mistertwo!! · 07-19-2011, 05:36 PM

The car does have an aftermarket boost guage, and an hks turbo timer. The car is in Ottawa ontario, Anybody live near there that wanna help me out!?

***MR2Jedi*** · 07-19-2011, 09:01 PM

Honestly, I would walk away from this one.

Mistertwo!! · 09-30-2011, 11:14 AM

I ended up buyin a JDM 92 mr2 turbo gts, seems to be perfect so far, will update more later,