Engine Restore

kaseysmom · 01-30-2010, 11:56 PM

I would like opinions on the use of this product. The good the bad and the ugly are all welcome! I am more of a sea foam gal (you can give me your opinion on that also) but my husband wants to put the engine restore in my MK3 turbo with 160,000 on it. I think it is just time to rebuild it - but I don't want to use anything that will harm the engine. Thanks!

mirage83 · 01-31-2010, 12:10 AM

It's snake oil in a can. It probably won't do any harm, but in a well-worn engine there's no real fix for worn bearings, thinned rings, tired oil pumps and bad valve seals other than replacing them.

Sea Foam is pretty much in the same category... might not do any serious harm, but there are better options out there for cleaning your fuel system. Techron (for example) is one of them.

cre · 01-31-2010, 12:39 AM

I agree with Mirage... it's crap. I'm also anti sea foam. Run good fuel with good detergents and even better oil with excellent additive packs and you'll never need any of that garbage. Sea foam's 90% Naptha... if you want something cheaper which is just as caustic and also eats rubber try bathroom caulk remover... It does just as good cleaning buildup and eating seals.

kaseysmom · 01-31-2010, 07:23 AM

I think that is enough information to make an intelligent decision - Thanks! My first and last thought now on the subject is to tear it down and fix it. Especially since the compression is really bad across all six cylinders. Time to take a look inside to see how bad it is!

cre · 01-31-2010, 07:33 AM

Poor compression across the board? Did it remain the same with a wet test?

kaseysmom · 01-31-2010, 07:37 AM

In the wet test the numbers only went up about 30 - still way too low to be considered even close to normal.

kaseysmom · 01-31-2010, 07:50 PM

How bad is bad? I figured I would just give them to you rather than wait for you to tell me to post them. 70 - 60 - 50 - 25 - 25 - 50. I was not with my car when it was tested - my husband did it following the TSRM instructions. He said he did a wet test on 2 of them (which two I am yet to find out) and the numbers went up about 30 psi. If he ever decides to get up I will go back to the shop with him and run it again to be sure.

Looks like a bottom end problem? Piston rings, cracked pistons, scored cylinder walls? LOL! Don't think they are selling anything in a bottle to help me out of this! So is it rebuild time - or what?

mirage83 · 01-31-2010, 08:14 PM

That would be pretty bad, as IIRC the GTE should run about 140. Even a 70 is pretty poor, and any cylinder reading out at 25 or so probably doesn't have much left in the way of rings and may even have suffered some piston damage to one degree or another.

Personal opinion? Plan on a full rebuild, top to bottom, along with all the various cracked or cracking hoses (vacuum and water) and assorted frayed/cracked wires you'll undoubtedly come across when the engine is pulled.

With compression that poor and uneven I don't really see much choice other rebuilding yours or swapping in another engine. At least if you rebuild it or have it rebuilt you'll know what quality parts are going into it, and with a swap you may or may not have that sort of assurance and confidence in the engine.

kaseysmom · 01-31-2010, 08:40 PM

That is what I have been thinking all along. I have another 90 hard top with no engine or transmission but a really nice interior and exterior. I was hoping to be able to drive the one I'm currently driving long enough to do a swap - rebuild combo and get them both on the road - but it doesn't look like that is happening. And I like the idea of the do it yourself way since I plan to keep the car forever! Or until someone hits me! LOL!

supradaddy0803 · 02-03-2010, 06:31 AM

Ummmmm personnel opinion if you got the know how. (Coughs) 1JZ lol. after you get past the ECU problem or buy a motor set that has had the Caps changed its a way more reliable engine. Like I said personnel opinion. But if you dont have the know how it is a really fun swap TRUST ME. but seeing as you have a 90 you will have a lot easier time than I have had.

01-30-2010, 11:56 PM	#1
kaseysmom Stock Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Athens Alabama Posts: 11	Engine Restore I would like opinions on the use of this product. The good the bad and the ugly are all welcome! I am more of a sea foam gal (you can give me your opinion on that also) but my husband wants to put the engine restore in my MK3 turbo with 160,000 on it. I think it is just time to rebuild it - but I don't want to use anything that will harm the engine. Thanks! __________________ On life's journey faith is nourishment, virtuous deeds are a shelter, wisdom is the light by day and right mindfulness is the protection by night. If a man lives a pure life, nothing can destroy him. Last edited by kaseysmom; 01-31-2010 at 07:25 AM.

01-31-2010, 12:39 AM	#3
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	I agree with Mirage... it's crap. I'm also anti sea foam. Run good fuel with good detergents and even better oil with excellent additive packs and you'll never need any of that garbage. Sea foam's 90% Naptha... if you want something cheaper which is just as caustic and also eats rubber try bathroom caulk remover... It does just as good cleaning buildup and eating seals. __________________ If something breaks or you need to contact a member of the administration please post HERE. Unless it's a private or administration matter please post it on the forum. It benefits no one else if car related questions aren't posted for future users and takes away from the time I'm able to spend helping on the rest of the forum. If you're so inclined I'm always more than happy to accept tips via PayPal. Tip Jar --->

01-31-2010, 07:23 AM	#4
kaseysmom Stock Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Athens Alabama Posts: 11	Thanks! I think that is enough information to make an intelligent decision - Thanks! My first and last thought now on the subject is to tear it down and fix it. Especially since the compression is really bad across all six cylinders. Time to take a look inside to see how bad it is! __________________ On life's journey faith is nourishment, virtuous deeds are a shelter, wisdom is the light by day and right mindfulness is the protection by night. If a man lives a pure life, nothing can destroy him.

01-31-2010, 07:33 AM	#5
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	Poor compression across the board? Did it remain the same with a wet test? __________________ If something breaks or you need to contact a member of the administration please post HERE. Unless it's a private or administration matter please post it on the forum. It benefits no one else if car related questions aren't posted for future users and takes away from the time I'm able to spend helping on the rest of the forum. If you're so inclined I'm always more than happy to accept tips via PayPal. Tip Jar --->

01-31-2010, 07:37 AM	#6
kaseysmom Stock Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Athens Alabama Posts: 11	Pretty much In the wet test the numbers only went up about 30 - still way too low to be considered even close to normal. __________________ On life's journey faith is nourishment, virtuous deeds are a shelter, wisdom is the light by day and right mindfulness is the protection by night. If a man lives a pure life, nothing can destroy him. Last edited by kaseysmom; 01-31-2010 at 07:54 AM.

01-31-2010, 12:10 AM	#2
mirage83 12psi boost Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 359	It's snake oil in a can. It probably won't do any harm, but in a well-worn engine there's no real fix for worn bearings, thinned rings, tired oil pumps and bad valve seals other than replacing them. Sea Foam is pretty much in the same category... might not do any serious harm, but there are better options out there for cleaning your fuel system. Techron (for example) is one of them.

01-31-2010, 07:50 PM	#7
kaseysmom Stock Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Athens Alabama Posts: 11	How bad is bad? I figured I would just give them to you rather than wait for you to tell me to post them. 70 - 60 - 50 - 25 - 25 - 50. I was not with my car when it was tested - my husband did it following the TSRM instructions. He said he did a wet test on 2 of them (which two I am yet to find out) and the numbers went up about 30 psi. If he ever decides to get up I will go back to the shop with him and run it again to be sure. Looks like a bottom end problem? Piston rings, cracked pistons, scored cylinder walls? LOL! Don't think they are selling anything in a bottle to help me out of this! So is it rebuild time - or what? __________________ On life's journey faith is nourishment, virtuous deeds are a shelter, wisdom is the light by day and right mindfulness is the protection by night. If a man lives a pure life, nothing can destroy him.

01-31-2010, 08:14 PM	#8
mirage83 12psi boost Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 359	That would be pretty bad, as IIRC the GTE should run about 140. Even a 70 is pretty poor, and any cylinder reading out at 25 or so probably doesn't have much left in the way of rings and may even have suffered some piston damage to one degree or another. Personal opinion? Plan on a full rebuild, top to bottom, along with all the various cracked or cracking hoses (vacuum and water) and assorted frayed/cracked wires you'll undoubtedly come across when the engine is pulled. With compression that poor and uneven I don't really see much choice other rebuilding yours or swapping in another engine. At least if you rebuild it or have it rebuilt you'll know what quality parts are going into it, and with a swap you may or may not have that sort of assurance and confidence in the engine.

01-31-2010, 08:40 PM	#9
kaseysmom Stock Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Athens Alabama Posts: 11	Thanks! That is what I have been thinking all along. I have another 90 hard top with no engine or transmission but a really nice interior and exterior. I was hoping to be able to drive the one I'm currently driving long enough to do a swap - rebuild combo and get them both on the road - but it doesn't look like that is happening. And I like the idea of the do it yourself way since I plan to keep the car forever! Or until someone hits me! LOL! __________________ On life's journey faith is nourishment, virtuous deeds are a shelter, wisdom is the light by day and right mindfulness is the protection by night. If a man lives a pure life, nothing can destroy him.

02-03-2010, 06:31 AM	#10
supradaddy0803 12psi boost Join Date: May 2006 Location: Athens, TX Posts: 308	Ummmmm personnel opinion if you got the know how. (Coughs) 1JZ lol. after you get past the ECU problem or buy a motor set that has had the Caps changed its a way more reliable engine. Like I said personnel opinion. But if you dont have the know how it is a really fun swap TRUST ME. but seeing as you have a 90 you will have a lot easier time than I have had. __________________ 1987 supra NA 5 speed 1JZGTE swap Tokico Illumina 2 and Eibach springs Tokico pillow blocks Suspension Techniques front and rear sway bar HKS super dragger cat-back exhaust plus test pipe Greddy Profec B spec 2 boost controller HKS type 1 turbo timer Supra sport solid steel drive shaft Walboro 255 fuel pump JZA70 Front end mod 18" Volk Racing AV3 18x8.5 front 18x9.5 rear

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