I have a 2001 Corolla that I bought new and have maintained well. The
only thing that has gone wrong with it other than routine maintenance
is that the check engine light has come on. The first time, they
replaced the evaporation cannister, the second the mass air flow
sensor. Now it's come on again and they say it needs a new VVTI valve,
which may mean replacing the timing chain. The car has 115,000.

My problem is--I really want to run this car to 250,000. At the same
time, I really don't want to pay for this repair and then have some
other problem come up later.

I'm looking at two options.

(1) Limp along for a year or so without fixing it and then trade it in.
Is this an option? How safe is it to drive? It sounds fine, but the
check engine light comes on for a day or so, then goes off, etc. How
long could we drive it safely in this condition?

(2) Fix it and hope it runs for another 100,000. This seems like a
pretty major repair. Is it really possible to do well? Is it likely
that other problems will come up? Has anyone else had this replaced
(and, possibly, the timing chain) and had good results?

Any input would be greatly appreciated!!

Toyowner

On Mon, 04 Dec 2006 18:05:20 -0800, Toyowner wrote:

> I have a 2001 Corolla that I bought new and have maintained well. The
> only thing that has gone wrong with it other than routine maintenance
> is that the check engine light has come on. The first time, they
> replaced the evaporation cannister, the second the mass air flow
> sensor. Now it's come on again and they say it needs a new VVTI valve,
> which may mean replacing the timing chain. The car has 115,000.
>
> My problem is--I really want to run this car to 250,000. At the same
> time, I really don't want to pay for this repair and then have some
> other problem come up later.
>
> I'm looking at two options.
>
> (1) Limp along for a year or so without fixing it and then trade it in.
> Is this an option? How safe is it to drive? It sounds fine, but the
> check engine light comes on for a day or so, then goes off, etc. How
> long could we drive it safely in this condition?
>
> (2) Fix it and hope it runs for another 100,000. This seems like a
> pretty major repair. Is it really possible to do well? Is it likely
> that other problems will come up? Has anyone else had this replaced
> (and, possibly, the timing chain) and had good results?
>
> Any input would be greatly appreciated!!
>
> Toyowner


Did they give you an estimate? I have heard of timing chain replacemets
going as high as $800.

That is right, this would be anywhere between $900 and $1400, depending
on whether they have to replace the chain.

Toyowner wrote:
> That is right, this would be anywhere between $900 and $1400, depending
> on whether they have to replace the chain.

I cant see leaving it as it is causing any problems if you dont race it
around - it has a failsafe of falling back to normal valve timing so
you will just lose the top end performance gain of VVTi. If its the
actuator thats in the cam end you'll need a belt change, but it could
be the valve that controls the oil pressure to the VVTi mechanism, in
which case i cant see it needing a new chain/belt - you'd need it
clarifying , try to find an online Owners Club for your car and ask
there - they'll know the engine inside and out with any luck.

I don't understand why replacing a VVTi control valve would necessitate
replacing the chain. Did they offer an explanation there? I've replaced
more than a few of those things on that engine and its a pretty straight
forward job. Which trouble code are you getting?

qslim wrote:
> I don't understand why replacing a VVTi control valve would necessitate
> replacing the chain. Did they offer an explanation there? I've replaced
> more than a few of those things on that engine and its a pretty straight
> forward job. Which trouble code are you getting?

Having checked out the diagram it is actually a chain, so no need to
replace even if you're taking it off, and the valve can be changed
without taking that off. The only thing that might require it is if
the actuator needed replacing, and even then the chain would be ok.

Well, this is quite interesting. Basically, they said that they would
have to get down in there and see if they could replace the VVTi
without replacing the chain. I am taking it to another dealer next
week, so perhaps a second opinion couldn't hurt here.

Any ideas on whether I am hurting the engine by driving it around with
the check engine light coming on and off intermittently? I think the
one post says it is just affecting high-end performance, is that right?

Thanks for any help.

"Toyowner" <cefuhrmann@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1165437194.145264.210390@79g2000cws.googlegro ups.com...
> Well, this is quite interesting. Basically, they said that they would
> have to get down in there and see if they could replace the VVTi
> without replacing the chain. I am taking it to another dealer next
> week, so perhaps a second opinion couldn't hurt here.
>
> Any ideas on whether I am hurting the engine by driving it around with
> the check engine light coming on and off intermittently? I think the
> one post says it is just affecting high-end performance, is that right?
>
> Thanks for any help.
>
If the VVTi mechanism is not working correctly then there is no long-term
damage to the engine, although it will not pass an emissions test with thee
check engine light illuminated.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Right on Ray. What the VVTi valve we're talking about here does is direct
oil pressure to the end of the intake cam during higher engine speeds. In
doing so, the intake valve timing advances allowing the engine to breathe
more easily. If the valve is indeed the part in question and not
operating like it should and displaying an MIL, the VVTi simply won't
work. It's just like driving a corolla from a few years back before the
system was installed, no harm done other than the light.