Supra (A80)

1993-2002 / Coupe / Japan

All Supra (A80) problems All workshop problems

Common Suspension and Steering

Power Steering Rack Leak

Symptoms

Power steering fluid on the garage floor beneath the centre of the car. Heavy steering at low speeds. A groaning or whining noise from the power steering pump, particularly noticeable on cold startup or full-lock turns.

Cause

The rack seals harden and shrink with age, allowing fluid to bypass. Low fluid from the leak causes the pump to cavitate (the whining/groaning noise), which accelerates pump wear. The issue is compounded in cars that have sat for extended periods, as the seals dry out.

Fix

A remanufactured steering rack runs $500-1,000.

Fitting is 3-5 hours including alignment.

Alternatively, rebuild the existing rack with new seals ($200-400 for parts, plus specialist labour).

When replacing the rack, also replace all power steering hoses, the high-pressure line in particular develops cracks at the crimped fittings.

Top up with Dexron ATF (Toyota specification for the A80 power steering system).

Flush the entire system when replacing the rack.

Cost mentioned in fix

$500-1,000$200-400 for parts

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// More Supra (A80) problems

Other known issues

Common Suspension and Steering

Control Arm Bushing Deterioration

Vague handling, wandering on the highway, clunking over bumps, and uneven tyre wear (particularly inner-edge wear on the rear tyres).

Common Engine, 2JZ-GTE (Twin Turbo)

Sequential Twin-Turbo System Failures

A flat spot or hesitation in the 3,500-4,500 RPM range during full-throttle acceleration. Boost may spike or surge unpredictably. The car feels fast below 3,500 RPM and above 5,000 RPM but stumbles in the transition zone.

Common Engine, 2JZ-GTE (Twin Turbo)

Turbo Seal Wear (High Mileage)

Blue smoke on cold startup (oil pooled in the turbo housing overnight drains into the exhaust when started). Blue smoke on deceleration (intake manifold vacuum pulls oil past the compressor seals). Oil residue in the intercooler piping. Increased oil consumption without external leaks.

Minor Engine, 2JZ-GTE (Twin Turbo)

Timing Belt Failure

Catastrophic engine damage. The 2JZ is an interference engine, if the timing belt breaks, the pistons strike the open valves, bending them and potentially damaging the pistons, head, and block. The engine stops instantly and will not restart.

Critical Engine, 2JZ-GTE (Twin Turbo)

Cam Cover Gasket Oil Leaks

Oil seeps from the edges of the cam covers (rocker covers), running down the sides of the engine. Oil smell from the engine bay. Oil drips onto the exhaust manifold (fire risk on the turbo side).

Common Engine, 2JZ-GTE (Twin Turbo)

Oil Cooler O-Ring Leak

Oil leak from the oil cooler housing on the front of the engine, typically dripping down onto the oil filter and undercarriage.

All Supra (A80) problems