I just got the 2009 Pontiac Vibe because its a toyota and I could use my GM card rebate. That being said, I didnt realize the 1.8L was a brand new engine. I thought it was just a revamped version of the previous 8-10 years. I was excited about getting a car with the tried and true 1.8L which gets the best mpg of any toyota engine, which is not exactly the case with the new engine. Im not sweating it (5 yr/100k warranty if GM still exists), but are there any problems associated with the new 1.8L? I think the corollas have had them for the past year or so. How is the mpg (only have 600 miles so far)?

There is a TSB out for burning oil related to the dual VVT-i at Toyota. Keep an eye on the oil level. I have an '09 Corolla S with same motor (lol...engines burn gasoline) with a 5-speed and haven't noticed a usage of oil yet in 9200 miles.

09 Corolla XLE models and lower have the NEW 1.8. (2ZR) Dual VVT-i

09 Corolla "XRS" models get the 2.4. VVT-i

These two engines are way different in overall design. The 2.4 is a carryover from the Camry as well as the TC Scion. It has Single VVT-i. And gets noticeably lower MPG than this new 1.8 engine.

The new 1.8L has shown excessive oil consumption to me. It Burned (not leaked) over 2 qrts of OIL in the first 3 K..then an additional 2 1/2 qrts. after the second OCI when recently checked at 8,200 miles.:shocked:
Using Mobil 1 ...this has cost me just over $30 in makeup oil between OCI's. That's ludicrous. That was enough $$ for one tank fillup or one additional OCI.
Production date was May 2008 for this Corolla XLE.

Yes there is a TSB on this. However I don't agree that an ECM Logic Flash will correct this anomaly. How does ECM software impact excessive oil blow-by????? It can't. An idiot can figure this one out! Toyota probably feels that by djusting the Dual VVT-i timing it might help?? A band-aid at best!
The TSB states that it will "improve" this condition. No mention that it will correct it! Toyota is very careful with the wording of their TSB's.
This TSB is considered part of the Emmisions warranty service and is good for 80K miles.

I have read elsewhere that this TSB is required on 09 2ZR engines MFRD prior to August 2008. Yet, no date code or VIN series is refernced on this actual TSB. Affecting the early 1.8's only.

>>>>>. TSB is from August 1, 2008, and it is called T-SB-0145-08.
Applicability:
2009 Toyota Corola/Matrix with 2ZR Engine, and Transmission(s): 5MT, 4AT. VDS(s)Corolla: BL40E, BU40E; VDS(s)Matrix: KU40E
Introduction:
Under certain driving conditions SOME 2009 model year Corolla and Matrix vehicles may exhibit engine oil consumption. The Engine Control Module/ECM logic has been modified to improve this condition. Use the following repair procedure to address customer concerns.
Warranty Information:
OP Code: EG8034 Description: Recalibrate ECM Engine Time: 0.6 OFP: 89661-##### T1: 11 T2: 99
Applicable Warranty:
This repair is covered under the Toyota Federal Emission Warranty. This warranty is in effect for 96 months or 80,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle's in-service date.
Warranty application is limited to correction of a problem based upon a customer's specific compaint.

I seen one notation on another site that there was early piston issues on this new 1.8L. Toyota mentions nothing about this. Just an observation at the Dealership Level.
Some owners that had this TSB applied said there was no change in Oil consumption. One owner merely switched to 0/5w30 instead of the Xw20 that is stated on the 1.8's oil filler cap and the manual. With positive results.

20 weight IS literally like water. I can't see that using 0w30 would do any harm at this point. Clearly the 20 weight is just blowing past the "RINGS".

>>Anyone with similar experiences on this 1.8 2ZR-FE, please offer your observations.

The way the TSB is worded...it appears that this TSB is one of Toyotas Secret Warranties. Only those that are truly heard and specify this TSB will get the Service. Many have been turned away from the dealers and told to Re-examine exactly how much oil consumption there is, and told that 1 qrt of "make-up oil" every 1K is normal.
Sorry, I beg to differ. The crank case holds only 4 qrts of total oil. Burning as much 50% and more of oil between OCI's is outrageous!!!
[B]A joke.

Thanx
LT

I too would agree that anything over 1/4 quart of oil in 5,000 miles is excessive, let alone damaging to the engine if it is losing 1 quart of oil or more per oil change considering the capacity is only 4.4 qts. The manufacturers can say that 1 quart of oil burning every 1,000 miles is normal, but come on, get real people. If that happens at that rate on any newer car, I wouldn't fill the oil capacity and wait until the first 5K oil change and take it into the dealer and show them I have about 1 quart of oil in the crankcase and see what they say. You can bet the dealer would replace or buy back my new vehicle for every dime I paid for it no questions asked and wouldn't leave that dealership until I got that result. I'll be keeping a close eye on the oil level since I only have 350 miles on my new 09 corolla LE.

Very interesting. The 2ZR does use low-tension piston rings to alleviate pumping losses and increase overall engine efficiency (more MPG). BMW is also suffering from engines with excessive oil consumption and their band-aid is use of a very expensive 5W-60 oil. So, manufacturers these days are pushing the boundaries of the piston engine in order to meet the government's CAFE ratings by 2020. One has to wonder how many more problems we'll begin to see as that deadline inches closer and engineers struggle to increase efficiency of the engine without compromising overall reliability.

So far I am not too impressed with this new 1.8L engine in my wifes 09 Corolla S. It is experiencing some minor oil usage but nothing too bad yet, we already had it in the shop for the ECM flash. Our last Corolla was an 03 Sport with the old 1.8 L VVti engine. It called for 5w 30 oil instead of this light 0w 20 or 5w20 AND, it got better mileage WITH, the heavier oil than our new 09 Corolla does. We have 20k miles on it already so it should be broken it reasonably well.mad: I thought the new engine was supposed to be more efficient than the last version, well from our experience the new engine WITH the recommended light sewing machine oil is not, city mileage is about the same but the highway mileage was a bit better with the 03 and also it seemed to have more passing power where as the 09 feels like a bit of a dog when you punch it down to pass on the highway. Also I am not impressed with the loose feeling of the NEW electric assisted power steering, the 03 had a better road feel.:rolleyes:

I have to agree with you on that one.

I had many corollas from 02-09.

Best ones I had was 04-05 corolla (even they are easy to sell)

Only future problem I see with 09 new all aluminum engine, corrosion issues, and hard to do any repairs to them. But again, they have great warranty, so why worry?

Wow I never realized that the new 1.8s were having such issues.

I finally got pissed off at having to wait an hour and a half to get the oil changed in my car at the stealership and went back to doing it myself. Even the 2.4 has 0W-20 on the cap. The stuff feels thinner than cooking oil.

I have heard about "different" Dual VVTI software programming from the factory for either the auto trans or man trans could effect the oil consumption problem. 0w20 Toyota synthetic used in my '09 and now with 18k on the clock, still no oil consumption. My car is a 5-speed but cannot confirm the "different" tuning from the factory with either transmission. My ladies '06 is filled with 5w30 Mobil1 and mileage between both cars is nill, give or take. 36MPG plus is average for our Corolla's and the old GMC Truck, 8MPG parked! LOL


Who woulda' thunk that GM and Toyota are still and have for a long time in bed together!?