CriticalCommonEngine

Toyota 86: FA20D Cylinder Bore Scoring from Inadequate Lubrication

FA20D Cylinder Bore Scoring from Inadequate Lubrication is a common engine fault on the Toyota 86 on the 2012–2021 cars, and we rate it critical. Putting it right costs $8,000 to $18,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 29 documented faults on the Toyota 86.

Vehicle: Toyota 86
Years: 2012–2021
Fuel: petrol
System: Engine

This page covers the Toyota 86 as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Toyota 86 faults29 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph for this fault yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of something else.

What goes wrong

When the FA20D's chronic oil consumption is not monitored or the oil interval is extended beyond factory-recommended limits, the cylinder bores develop scoring and scuffing as oil film thickness drops below the minimum needed to protect the aluminium-lined bores. Bore scoring progresses rapidly once started and results in metal-to-metal contact, deep scratches in the bore surface, and rapid engine failure requiring full rebuild or replacement. This is distinct from the ring-seal fault and represents the terminal consequence of unmanaged oil consumption.

What you would notice

Loud metallic knock or rattle from the engine block at idle or under load
Extremely high oil consumption (more than 1 litre per 500 km)
Low oil pressure warning light illuminating at operating temperature
Compression test reveals one or more cylinders significantly below specification
Blue-black exhaust smoke under all operating conditions, not just deceleration

How to check it

Where to look. FA20D engine – cylinder bores and piston rings, most often cylinders 2 and 3 (horizontally opposed layout)

Request a compression and leakdown test on all four cylinders – any cylinder below 150 psi or leakdown above 15% warrants investigation.
Listen for a metallic knocking or ticking at idle that increases with RPM.
Check for milky or heavily contaminated oil on the dipstick.
Inspect the oil cap and rocker cover for excessive blow-by residue.

What it costs to put right

$8,000 to $18,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“Has the engine ever been rebuilt or had internal work done, and do you have documentation?”
“Have you ever received a low oil pressure warning light while driving?”
“Is the seller willing to allow a compression and leakdown test prior to purchase?”

Now check the Toyota 86 you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Toyota 86 buyer questions

Is fa20d cylinder bore scoring from inadequate lubrication serious on a Toyota 86?

We rate it critical and common on the Toyota 86. When the FA20D's chronic oil consumption is not monitored or the oil interval is extended beyond factory-recommended limits, the cylinder bores develop scoring and scuffing as oil film thickness drops below the minimum needed to protect the aluminium-lined bores. Bore scoring progresses rapidly once started and results in metal-to-metal contact, deep scratches in the bore surface, and rapid engine failure requiring full rebuild or replacement. This is distinct from the ring-seal fault and represents the terminal consequence of unmanaged oil consumption.

How much does it cost to fix on a Toyota 86?

$8,000 to $18,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Toyota 86 years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2012–2021 Toyota 86. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Request a compression and leakdown test on all four cylinders – any cylinder below 150 psi or leakdown above 15% warrants investigation. Listen for a metallic knocking or ticking at idle that increases with RPM. Check for milky or heavily contaminated oil on the dipstick. Inspect the oil cap and rocker cover for excessive blow-by residue. Look here: FA20D engine – cylinder bores and piston rings, most often cylinders 2 and 3 (horizontally opposed layout)