Harvey

Sounds like the rod bearings or maybe a piston are very unhappy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJUNC...ature=youtu.be



At first i was thinking it'd be a good time to upgrade stuff; build it up. Doesn't seem worth it. An engine swap would have also been fun, but again not worth a new ECU and transmission along with a more expensive (possibly less sturdy) engine (2ZZ-GE takes premium and has its weaknesses, and 1ZZ-FE/FED's are also hit and miss depending on what the age is).

I found someone selling xB parts in droves, and he has engines ranging from $500-800 with miles of 30k-160k. I can have it installed for $500, which is around the same cost as just having a 1ZZ bought (not including tranny and ECU, and other possible issues like smog stuff). If anyone has some two-cents to throw in... and no, getting rid of it is not an option. Not at this point or cost.


Just thought I'd share... it did bring a few tears to my eye, but hey-- I had a good run. It survived 154,000 miles of spirited driving with 320,000 already on it. The damned things can hold up pretty well, eh?



PS: I drove an xA manual just to see if I like the seats. Not bad-- shifter felt great, roartier OE intake (wider opening in the front snorkel, and the mufflers actually seem a little more aggressive). Hated the smaller gauges and the left-shoulder visibility, though. I can see the appeal of them regardless. Made me realize how much flex my Echo still has, esspecially with the firmer springs bringing it up a little more in back.

criminaltc

Sorry man, I didn't read anything you wrote, but that is exactly what that is... Worse sound in the world. Make sure it's full of oil and drive it still she blows.

Sciota

Getting ready to replace my main crank seal at 210000 miles. I hope i make it to 400000+

Sciota

I used re-seal, sealed the main crank seal right up, wow.... to see if it lasts.

tersmurf

Sounds like rods knocking. Happy to hear your 1NZ has made it that far. I feel better. Mine is still around 220K.

scottbart

I'm at 409,000+ on my 2006 xA, and still running strong, although the gearbox is on the way out.

Harvey

I've been told the tranny's don't hold up like the engines. I'm on my fourth. It's just how Toyota tranny's are with their bearing design... they wear, and eventually the shafts start to get to wigglin'. And I HATE that the reman throw-out bearings are prone to whine (I've heard that from other Echo owners with the same issue). Makes it sound supercharged, which it isn't... might as well have one of those fake BOV's in the exhaust

I'm actually curious how the automatics hold up. We just bought a four-door automatic with 212k miles on it in pretty good shape for my brother and sister in-law. I forgot how quiet and smooth the Echo was compared to mine, what with the springs, airbox set-up, and now with an xA TRD muffler. Sometimes it gives me a headache, but it's so worth hearing the mild pops out the back.

scottbart

I'm pretty much a 4 speed owner now. I'm still getting 30+ mpg running at 4200 rpm down the freeway, but I think I'll swap out the gear box in the next month. I ain't complaining. 410,000 miles is pretty good. If I walked out now, and the car dissolved into dust, I got my money's worth.