[GeoMatrix09]

Hello Toyota Nation,
I'm not super familiar with engine work but when I bought my 09 Toyota Matrix XR 2.4L, I didn't realize I was buying a complete lemon that was burning oil. Well, the engine seized today just before I was planning an oil change.

Does anyone know if it's possible to swap out the 2.4L with the much more efficient and reliable 1.8L engine?
With car computers these days I'm not sure if it's compatible.

Thoughts?

 

[Bitter]

You'd need the matching ECM, wire harness, probably the exhaust part way and I'm fairly sure transmission as well as possibly axles.

 

[NameofUser]

Anything is possible w/ $. So if you have A LOT of disposable $, go for it.

Otherwise source a good used engine. The CAT will likely die soon too given the oil burinig, which kills CATs.

Or, replace w/ a less beaten used car.

 

[75aces]

This would be a question for The Car Care Nut on YouTube.

He recently put out a video on the 2.4 liter oil burning issue. In the video, I believe he said it was a 2012 or 2013 corolla xrs. Goes on to mention about Toyota’s recall for this oil burning issue.

The part numbers are included in the video. There’s several pistons that are available from Toyota. A, B, and 1 more. You’ll need to watch the video.

Short block did not require any machining. He said that Toyota engine should not need it, but every situation is different.

Here’s the video.

As for going to a 1.8, you might be able to get away with it, but the engine harness and ecu might be all you need. It’s a gamble though.

 

[GeoMatrix09]

Wow! Thank you all for the quick responses. I figured you'd be a big job but I thought I'd ask. These days with covid, it's ridiculously hard to find a fuel efficient Toyota for a good deal. That's why I thought I'd look at the possibility of making this one fuel efficient.

 

[75aces]

Try using LKQ or car-part.com to source the engine. If there’s no corolla with 2.4 available, you might be able to get one from the matrix or Pontiac vibe. Just make sure it’s not for the awd model.

 

[Bitter]

2AZ came in the Camry and Tc more commonly than the Corolla and Matrix.

Sent from my SM-G892U using Tapatalk

 

[75aces]

Might be easier to go 2.5 instead of 2.4.

 

[Bitter]

Might be easier to go 2.5 instead of 2.4.

While the 2AR-FE would be a good upgrade it's much less straight forward, since it was never offered in that chassis you'd need to figure out/custom make some mounts or mount brackets, you'd still need ECM, wire harness, transmission, axles, exhaust parts, and you'd also need some EVAP system parts if you wanted to not have an engine light on all the time.
The 2ZR-FE would be more likely to be a direct swap since it's from the same generation and was offered in the Matrix but as mentioned, for sure need wire harness and ECM, but also probably need trans, axles, and some exhaust parts. Evap parts are probably the same or mostly compatible.

 

[SuperchargedMR2]

I would order a new short block that has all of the new updated parts in it. Just swap over all the things as shown in the video that was linked above from the Car Care Nut. He knows his stuff and is very honest. Any replacement engine might still have the old parts in it.

 

[DocDoug]

Hello Toyota Nation,
I'm not super familiar with engine work but when I bought my 09 Toyota Matrix XR 2.4L, I didn't realize I was buying a complete lemon that was burning oil. Well, the engine seized today just before I was planning an oil change.

Does anyone know if it's possible to swap out the 2.4L with the much more efficient and reliable 1.8L engine?
With car computers these days I'm not sure if it's compatible.

Thoughts?

The 2.4 required synthetic and frequent oil changes to attempt to overcome the piston ring problems. Obviously, this was not done.

I have the 1.8 and maintain synthetic and 4k oil and filter changes and it burns nothing. Currently sitting at 160k.

Converting a 2.4 to a 1.8 will required a lot of odds and ends that may make it cost prohibitive. Once done, you could still be looking at all kinds of gremlins with connectors and wiring harness issues.

Tough call. I would find a used Vibe or Corolla / Matrix with a 1.8 and call it a day. If you have nothing but time and can do the job yourself, go for it. It will still be expensive.

 

[[email protected]]

If you’re able to change the engine yourself a used 2.4 is the cheapest and easiest way to go. Be careful not to leave any debris from the catastrophic failure of the old engine inside the intake or exhaust manifold and catalytic converter if you re use them. If you got a good used engine, especially if you knew it had the pistons replaced under the campaign/tsb like in the car care kit video and used the intake and exhaust manifolds and catalytic converter that would be the best option. Any old engine debris could get ingested into the new/used engine you install and damage it on startup.

 

[fjguercio]

Jut put this together for another, if you find something not recorded right let me know.... 2 hrs of video & there are more of them that have info in this regards.

Two Videos On 2AZ Engine by Toyota Master Mechanic that rebuilt 1000s of 2AZ under toyota program….
1st Video is review & rebuild of 2AZ Engine
2nd Video is under car review, common problems

1st Video:
THIS is Toyota's Worst Engine Ever Made! But Is It Really THAT Bad? 2AZ
VG review of issues, dates of delta, model year changes & FIX

Top Side Engine removal and rebuild the 2AZ with pistons and rings….. the HOW to Rebuild
History of new 2AZ engine 2000 intro, ……….the head bolt threads pull out
2000 New Engine and intro of the 2AZ Engine……… head bolt thread was failure, do not over heat engine
2004 update block head bolt threads stronger
2007 2nd Update Piston & Rings, low tension piston rings, would carbon up rings & burn oil with frozen rings, frozen rings could damage cylinder walls.

How to tell the OK Engines for 2AZ:
OIL CAP…. 5w – 20 or 0W – 20 these oil caps have the low tension rings…… 5w-30 this will have the std rings
By model and years will says when these changes were done in video
Black RTV all over means the factory ring update, grey RTV is the OEM color from factory…. Factory update field program
So the 2005 and 2006 will have the 5w-30 oil cap and the updated head bolt threads
2000-2004 engines should be ok, just do not over heat the engines….. any of the 2AZ do not over heat

All of the 2AZ need proper engine oil maint 4k to 5k mile oil changes or 6 months of time
Maybe, Learn the Engine Build Date Codes…. I think Toyota uses them but have not verified or looked



2nd Video:
This is One Toyota Corolla Model You Might Want to Avoid Unless The Engine's Been Fixed

GOOD GEN REVIEW…. under the car video

Please watch the video it will have a lot of information for you, me, others
2007 2AZ Toyota changed to Low Tension Piston Rings..... that was a problem with the carbon up rings then damage, oil consumption, frozen rings, and damage to cross hatch

2004 2AZ Toyota changed the block..... to strengthen the head bolt threads from pulling out, do not overheat any of these 2AZ engines.

Review steering shaft noise when turning common…..
TRICK under dash, loosen collar fastener, move up, tighten Fixed at 9min of video
Moving collar changes the pivot angle and uses different “location” changes the turning points

Up in air a used tire review with hand ………. 14 min of the video
Tires can cause vibration, alignment issues, poor handling

Good gen used car review and what to look for on toyota

 

[75aces]

Everything is a compromise. Based on the video linked above, Amd mentions about early 2AZ in the Camry didn’t have the oil burning issue. It’s when the engine was used in the 10th gen, 2nd gen tC and xb. I think it was mentioned in the video that it’s natural for the engine to consume oil.

 

[fjguercio]

Pretty sure go it right on my notes above.... went thru it a few times.
Did have confusion on the start of 2AZ, had the intro at 2002, but other docs on engine said intro 2000
The 2AZ Engine is a mess... there are work arounds and certain versions that should be ok

 

[First Toyota4me]

This is a great lesson for everyone with a newer car. Since the auto manufactures have not deleted the oil dipstick (like the trans dipstick) it is imperative to use it once a week. I can pop the hood release, raise & secure the hood, check the oil level in 2 minutes. 52 weeks in a year = 52 oil level checks. the more you do it the faster you get plus you might save yourself an expensive repair or from scrapping your car all together

 

[mr2tim]

Hello Toyota Nation,
I'm not super familiar with engine work but when I bought my 09 Toyota Matrix XR 2.4L, I didn't realize I was buying a complete lemon that was burning oil. Well, the engine seized today just before I was planning an oil change.

Does anyone know if it's possible to swap out the 2.4L with the much more efficient and reliable 1.8L engine?
With car computers these days I'm not sure if it's compatible.

Thoughts?

DEAR TOYOTA NATION. NEVER BUY ANY I.C.E. WITHOUT COMPLETING A COMPRESSION OF ALL CYLINDERS ON THE CAR. (15 MIN MAX) THERE IS A REASON THESE USED CARS ARE DISCARDED BY THEIR OWNERS AND YOUR DUE DILIGENCE MUST FIND OUT WHY. THIS INCLUDES CONTACTING PREVIOUS OWNER, IF NOT PERMITTED BYPASS THAT SELECTION AMD THAT SELLER.

58 YEARS ON THE ROAD
HOBBY MECHANIC
RACE DRIVER
TIM

 

[SFCamry]

Welcome to the site Geo -

You have many responses with some good info. That engine is problematic. I had to replace my 2AZ-FE due to oil consumption and it seizing, so I have been there, done that, have the t-shirt. I swapped the engine myself using a rebuilt (I have a thread in the 5th/6th gen Camry area). My suggestion is either dump it and move on, or put in a rebuilt. The cost and time and future issues of maintenance when you put in a different engine is really a pain, all for an '09. As someone said above if money is no issue and you enjoy that sort of thing then go for it. But if the end result is just having a reliable car, I would put in a rebuilt or just walk away, taking the pile of cash you would put into all the things needed for a different engine into a new car.