Re: 03 SE brake scoring

"The brakes.... they score .... TOUCH DOWN!" Sorry but, I just could not resist! LOL

These may be a defect in the new brake pad, such as an imbeded piece of foreign metal or .... there could be an improper mounting of the caliper to the anchor. Stuff happens so get the car back to the dealer pronto.

Humm --- mine (same yr and model) look slightly scored too in the rear! And with only 5k miles!

Maybe *you* should go work in a brake shop to learn *what* *is* in the real world.

Did I type to softly?

LOL, well, they all will score with the semi metallic, but after veiwing the second picture, it looks like a rock or somethign got stuck in there.

Do tell ... DO TELL!

What were the circumstances of this grenade?

OK, I already did one of these munch motors too. It was oversped, oil pump came apart, probably around 11,000 rpm. Oh, as for the VVTL-i, you will find the rockers have galled the rocker shaft, twisted it and sheared the retainer bolt pin and its a blind hole, a bugger to get out. Oh, platil, dont repair this engine/head, there is a part number that will get you an entire engine ass'y complete with head. They did this for these deals only. I found out after I already replaced the short block and repaired the head with all 16 valves bent!

On Monday, I will try to get more details. Our MDT has been especially grumpy as of late, so I have kept my usual incessant questions to a minimum. He got a new short block, but re-used the head after it tested OK. Looks like he will try to fire it up late Monday. I can tell you the vehicle is covered with stickers, has a mile high spoiler, and the person is a young male... I'll let you ponder the probable causes.

As a side note, it's amazing how light the short block is and that I saw no cylinder cross hatch in the old or new engine? For folks like you and I who appreciate sound, logical, well executed design and process, the engine exudes efficient elegance.

MDT Tech (Rick),

Somehow > > Hello,

I was going by the visual, I have no idea how deep. I have seen all the brakes score, They add more metal to give you more braking power while keeping the size small. The SE is a performance/handling version, I dont know if the brake pads are differnt. I'd take it in and have them look at it. But from first hand, it happens to lots, its just easier to see with disc brakes.

That's what I thought.

Our Toyota MDT said it was a high speed downshift... above 11k RPM's like Rick said. The oil pump housing from old engine looked like it was literally blown up...

He got the engine running today.... idle was rough, but ran good at mid and higher engine speeds. Almost seems as if the "L" (lift) portion of the VVTL is active at idle, and is causing poor idle performance. Using his Toyota scan tool, he activated the VVT, and the engine died, so it seems that it is working.

Maybe the Toyota long block was the way to go... Rick, you have that P/N handy?