Having problems with my VVTi engine

steinooo · 17 Sep 2009 at 22:24

On my Gen 7 Toyota Celica.

There isn't an increase in acceleration in the higher revs range (bit like vtec in a Honda) like there was in my last Celica, anyone got any ideas please?

I have no engine management lights on. The only thing I can think of that I havn't tried is to clean the mass air flow sensor, but it sounds like a long shot to get it working.

thanks in advance if you can help.

[TW]Fox · 17 Sep 2009 at 22:36

Is it a 190 or a 140?

iaind · 17 Sep 2009 at 22:38

Its a completely different car with a completely different engine, but I wasted a lot of time trying to sort out a similar problem with my car - tried out to be a blocked air filter. Check the basic things first

Could also be the MAF - run it with it disconnected and see if its better (although wait for someone more knowledgable than me on this particular engine to confirm!)

deadfreak · 17 Sep 2009 at 22:42

stokefan said:
On my Gen 7 Toyota Celica.

There isn't an increase in acceleration in the higher revs range (bit like vtec in a Honda) like there was in my last Celica, anyone got any ideas please?

I have no engine management lights on. The only thing I can think of that I havn't tried is to clean the mass air flow sensor, but it sounds like a long shot to get it working.

thanks in advance if you can help.

The lift should kick in at 6200rpm and only when the engine has reached normal operating temperature. From the wording of your post it has never done it? Are you sure you have a 190 and not a 140.

steinooo · 17 Sep 2009 at 22:42

140. I've replaced sparks, air filter, oil filter and oil and the problem is still there.

[TW]Fox · 17 Sep 2009 at 22:43

stokefan said:
140. I've replaced sparks, air filter, oil filter and oil and the problem is still there.

Is there even a problem? Is the 140 supposed to have the same kick as the 190, I dont think it is?

deadfreak · 17 Sep 2009 at 22:45

stokefan said:
140. I've replaced sparks, air filter, oil filter and oil and the problem is still there.

Thats the problem then, you have a 140 it doesnt have the lift like the 190.

steinooo · 17 Sep 2009 at 22:45

It definately should have a kick though, my old 140 did, and I know other people's Celica 140's have this kick

deadfreak · 17 Sep 2009 at 22:47

stokefan said:
It definately should have a kick though, my old 140 did, and I know other people's Celica 140's have this.

I have the tsport version (190) the 140 definatly doesnt have it.

[TW]Fox · 17 Sep 2009 at 22:47

stokefan said:
It definately should have a kick though, my old 140 did, and I know other people's Celica 140's have this kick

I dont think it should - the 140 is the economy variant of the engine. There is no performance kick as this is not what that engine is supposed to offer. Not all VVTi systems are equal.

iaind · 17 Sep 2009 at 22:54

[TW]Fox;14909384 said:
I dont think it should - the 140 is the economy variant of the engine. There is no performance kick as this is not what that engine is supposed to offer. Not all VVTi systems are equal.

VVTi compared to VVTi-L isnt it?

steinooo · 17 Sep 2009 at 23:08

i'm positive my old 140 had a noticeable difference in acceleration though.

Malt_Vinegar · 17 Sep 2009 at 23:13

Nostalga-tec?

steinooo · 17 Sep 2009 at 23:20

lol, i would begin to doubt myself now but a chap who works for toyota on the owners club agrees there's a difference in acceleration, albeit less so than in the vvtli

[TW]Fox · 17 Sep 2009 at 23:21

stokefan said:
lol, i would begin to doubt myself now but a chap who works for toyota on the owners club agrees there's a difference in acceleration, albeit less so than in the vvtli

Only in the same way that Mk4 Golf GTI owners are convinced they have fast cars I should imagine

Anim · 17 Sep 2009 at 23:23

Indeed, theres no sharp increase on acceleration on the 140 its just the natural engine workings, the 190 though has the dual camshaft which is what most of us are thinking of:

Unique to the ZZ family, the 2ZZ-GE utilizes a dual camshaft profile system (the "L" in VVTL-i, known by enthusiasts as "lift") to produce the added power without an increase in displacement or forced induction .... This is similar in concept to Honda's i-VTEC, but the two systems are very different in design and execution.

The 140 uses the 1ZZ FED engine, 190 uses the 2ZZ GE engine.

The Running Man · 17 Sep 2009 at 23:42

aye these guys are right - celica 140 dyno..

http://www.dragtimes.com/2001-Toyota-Celica-Dyno-Results-Graphs-8863.html

see its a smooth curve (ish)

compare to a 190 curve;

http://www.dragtimes.com/2000-Toyota-Celica-Dyno-Results-Graphs-8913.html

see how it remains low until about 6.2k rpm and then jumps about 25-30bhp? that is the 'kick' right there!

Rackerz · 18 Sep 2009 at 07:08

How far did your old '140' rev up till?

Clean your MAF sensor, they get hella dirty and ruin everything! I cleaned mine and it felt like a different car.

Do not disconnect the MAF or you will get a light and a boggy car.

steinooo · 18 Sep 2009 at 09:25

Nickg, thats a good website that, proves that perhaps I'm fantasising about my old car!! :confused:

Rackerz - I'm pretty sure I thought vvti made a difference to revving at about 6000 revs but not sure what it red lined at. I'll get some of this MAF sensor cleaner i've seen on the auction site and spray some on, it can't hurt I suppose. Feel a bit glum tbh!

The Running Man · 18 Sep 2009 at 09:33

ya im not saying that if you are just cruising and then BOOT IT that you wont get an instant kick up the rear. the engine has a good amount of torque (similar to the 2zz) but more easily accessable...but when u floor it low in the rev range it should accelerate fairly hard - but smoothly right to the end (and drop off slightly near the rev limit)...

wheras the 2zz builds slowly...then spikes and flattens out.

VVTi is working constantly to ensure that the valves are at the optimal timing across the rev range for max fuel/power efficiency.