Toyota1985–1990Technical specifications

MR2 1.6: Technical specifications

Workshop data for the 1.6-litre petrol (engine code 4A-GE). Covers engine, fluids, brakes, service, torques and air conditioning: the figures to check before a job or a parts order.

Summary

Match the engine code (4A-GE) to the vehicle before ordering parts or applying these figures.

Vehicle specifications

Overview

Make: Toyota
Model: MR2
Years: 1985–1990
Fuel: Petrol
Engine code: 4A-GE

Performance & efficiency

Power: 91 kW (124 hp)
Engine size: 1,587 cc
Cylinders: 4 · DOHC
Compression ratio: 10.0:1
Fuel system: Toyota

Fluids & capacities

Engine oil (with the filter): 3.4 litres

All 112 specifications below

Engine & identification

Vehicle identification

No. of cylinders Type	4/DOHC
Capacity (Fiscal) cc	1587 (1577)
Compression ratio :1	10,0
Suitable for unleaded petrol	Yes
Minimum octane rating RON	95
Ignition system Type	TSZ-i
Ignition system Description	Map-i
Trigger location	Distributor
Fuel system Make	Toyota
Fuel system Type	TCCS
Fuel system Description	MFI-i
Air metering Type	MAP
Combined ignition and fuel ECM	Yes
Diagnostic socket	Yes

Ignition system

Ignition coil Make	Denso
Ignition coil supply voltage + with ballast V	11,0
Primary resistance Ohm	0,5-0,7
Secondary resistance Ohm	11000-16000
Distributor (ECM) Make	Denso
Contact breaker gap/trigger air gap mm	0,2-0,4

Firing order

The firing order for the Toyota MR2 1.6 (1985–1990) is 1-3-4-2.

Firing order	1-3-4-2

Valve clearances

Valve clearances for the Toyota MR2 1.6 (1985–1990) are 0,15-0,25 mm inlet and 0,20-0,30 mm exhaust, measured cold.

Valve clearance - INLET mm	0,15-0,25 cold
Valve clearance - EXHAUST mm	0,20-0,30 cold

Engine oil & fluids

Engine oil

The Toyota MR2 1.6 (1985–1990) takes 3.4 litres of engine oil with the filter.

See the reference table for the complete engine oil entries and their conditions.

Manual gearbox

The manual gearbox has a listed capacity of 2.3 litres. The specified oil is SAE 75W-90.

Coolant

The listed total cooling-system capacity is 5.6 litres.

Grades, filling conditions and capacities

Lubricants and capacities — complete reference
Engine oil options
Ambient temperature range	➞10°C
Engine oil grade SAE	5W-30
Engine oil classification API/ACEA	SH/A1
Ambient temperature range	-18°C➞
Engine oil grade SAE	10W-30, 10W-40, 10W-50
Engine oil classification API/ACEA	SH/A1
Ambient temperature range	-12°C➞
Engine oil grade SAE	20W-40, 20W-50
Engine oil classification API/ACEA	SH/A2
Engine with filter(s) litres	3.4
Other lubricants and capacities
Manual transmission oil grade SAE	75W-90
Manual transmission litres	2.3
Cooling system - total capacity litres	5.6

Brakes & wear limits

Brake disc thickness

Brake discs on the Toyota MR2 1.6 (1985–1990) are replaced at a minimum thickness of 17 mm (ventilated) front and 9 mm rear.

Minimum disc thickness for replacement - ventilated Front	17 mm
Minimum disc thickness for replacement Rear	9 mm

Brake disc and drum dimensions

Disc runout Front	0,15 mm
Disc runout Rear	0,15 mm
Minimum pad thickness Front	1 mm
Minimum pad thickness Rear	1 mm
Parking brake travel No. of notches	5-8

Service & electrical

Ignition timing

Basic ignition timing for the Toyota MR2 1.6 (1985–1990) is 10° BTDC at 800 rpm.

Idle speed - non-Cat
Ignition timing - basic BTDC °Engine/rpm	10/800

Battery

The Toyota MR2 1.6 (1985–1990) uses a 12 V, 45 Ah battery (reserve capacity 65 minutes).

Battery V/RC(Ah)	12/65 (45)

Spark plugs

The Toyota MR2 1.6 (1985–1990) uses NGK BCPR6EY-11 spark plugs with a 1,1 mm electrode gap.

Spark plugs Original equipment	NGK
Spark plug Type	BCPR6EY-11
Electrode gap mm	1,1
Spark plugs Make	Bosch
Spark plug Type	FR7KCX
Electrode gap mm	1,1
Spark plugs Make	Champion
Spark plug Type	RC7YCC4
Electrode gap mm	1,1
Spark plugs Make	NGK
Spark plug Type	BCPR6EY-11
Electrode gap mm	1,1

Tuning and emissions

Idle speed - non-Cat
Tuning conditions	—
View more information	—
Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm	ECM Controlled
Idle speed rpm	800±50
Oil temperature °C	60-80
CO level at idle speed - tailpipe Vol. % CO	1,5±0,5
HC level at idle speed ppm	300
CO2 level at idle speed Vol. % CO2	13-16
O2 level at idle speed Vol. % O2	0,5-2,0

Starting and charging

Starter motor Make	Denso
Starter motor Type	12V 0,8 kW
Minimum starting voltage V	11,5
Maximum cranking amps A	122-149
Alternator Make	Nippon Denso
Alternator output A/V/rpm	60/13,5/2500
Regulated voltage V	13,5-15,1

Service checks and adjustments

Compression pressure bar	9,0-12,7
Oil pressure bar/rpm	2,5-5,0/3000
Radiator cap bar	0,75-1,05
Thermostat opens °C	80-84

Fuel system

System pressure bar	2,7-3,1
Regulated pressure with vacuum bar	2,1-2,3
Engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor Ohm/°C	200-400/80
Crankshaft position (CKP) sensor/engine speed (RPM) sensor Ohm	140-180
Injector Ohm	1,0-2,5

Tightening torques

Cylinder head bolt torque

The cylinder head bolts on the Toyota MR2 1.6 (1985–1990) are tightened in 2 stages: 25 Nm, then a final 45 Nm.

Cylinder head
Renew bolts	No
Tighten	25 Nm
Tighten	45 Nm
Tighten	60±4 Nm

Other engine tightening torques
Cylinder head instructions	—
Main bearings Renew bolts/nuts	No
Main bearings Stage 1	30 Nm
Main bearings Stage 2	60±4 Nm
Big end bearings Renew bolts/nuts	No
Big end bearings Stage 1	24 Nm
Big end bearings Stage 2	49±3 Nm
Oil pump to cylinder block	21 Nm
Sump bolts	5 Nm
Sump drain bolt	34 Nm
Flywheel/driveplate	74±4 Nm
Clutch pressure plate	19 Nm
Crankshaft pulley/damper centre bolt	137 Nm
Camshaft sprocket/gear	47±6 Nm
Camshaft carrier/cap	13 Nm
Inlet manifold to cylinder head	27 Nm
Exhaust manifold to cylinder head	25 Nm
Spark plugs	18±2 Nm
Fuel rail	18 Nm
Chassis tightening torques
Front hub	123 Nm
Rear hub	186 Nm
Steering track rod end	49 Nm
Brake caliper to carrier Front	25 Nm
Brake caliper/carrier to hub Front	88 Nm
Brake caliper to carrier Rear	20 Nm
Brake caliper/carrier to hub Rear	59 Nm
Road wheels	105 Nm

Air conditioning

Air conditioning refrigerant Type	R12
Air conditioning refrigerant quantity grams	800±50

Frequently asked questions

What is the firing order of the Toyota MR2 1.6?

The firing order for the Toyota MR2 1.6 (1985–1990) is 1-3-4-2.

What spark plugs does the Toyota MR2 1.6 use?

The Toyota MR2 1.6 (1985–1990) uses NGK BCPR6EY-11 spark plugs with a 1,1 mm electrode gap.

How much oil does the Toyota MR2 1.6 take?

The Toyota MR2 1.6 (1985–1990) takes 3.4 litres of engine oil with the filter. See the reference table for the complete engine oil entries and their conditions.

What are the valve clearances for the Toyota MR2 1.6?

Valve clearances for the Toyota MR2 1.6 (1985–1990) are 0,15-0,25 mm inlet and 0,20-0,30 mm exhaust, measured cold.

What is the cylinder head torque for the Toyota MR2 1.6?

The cylinder head bolts on the Toyota MR2 1.6 (1985–1990) are tightened in 2 stages: 25 Nm, then a final 45 Nm.

What is the ignition timing for the Toyota MR2 1.6?

Basic ignition timing for the Toyota MR2 1.6 (1985–1990) is 10° BTDC at 800 rpm.