| Question
Australia-3-1 Overheating and trouble with Toyota dealership |
username=Elizabeth
H
VehicleType=Toyota Camry
VehicleAge=9
DistanceTravelled=approx. 60000
Trans=Auto
Driveline=FWD
Country=USA
State=Texas
DateDD=05/05/02
IsThereRoadSafetyEducationInYourTown=Yes
Subject=Camry overheating
comment=My 1993 Toyota Camry overheated a couple of weeks ago.
I had it
towed to the dealership where the radiator and thermostat were
replaced.
Now I cannot drive more than 1/2 mile without its starting to
overheat
again. If I'm driving, the needle stays at about the middle
of the gauge.
If I am stopped at a light or have the a/c on, the needle starts
rising
quickly, almost reaching the red zone. (I either turn off
the air or the
traffic light has changed and I can drive again before it gets to
the red.)
I would appreciate your letting me know what you think is causing
the
overheating, given that it's just been to the dealership and I'm
looking at
another tow. Is it OK to drive to the dealership as long as
I turn it off
and let it cool down when it starts to heat up or will that cause
damage?
Thank you.
|
| Answer |
So
for taking so long Liz I'm getting alot of questions these days.
1, Don't drive the vehicle all as it may create more damage
2, For some reason I'm getting alot of people paying the highest
price to
get there vehicle repaired only to find the same thing repeating
You must inform the Toyota dealership what has happened and get
them to
arrange a tow at there cost
3, It may only be a thermo fan not reconnected but if you drive it
might
cause damage to the headgasket and the Toyota dealership may
use this activity against you.
Toyota what a feeling
Let me know how go get on
Darren
|
| Question
Australia-3-2 Headgasket Repeat Problems - Toyota -
What a feeling |
username=Kim
VehicleType=Toyota tarago
VehicleAge=17
DistanceTravelled=282,000
Trans=Manual
Country=Australia
State=Victoria
DateDD=11/05/02
IsThereRoadSafetyEducationInYourTown=Yes
Subject=Head gaskets
comment=Dear Sir, LubeMobile replaced my cylinder head in late
1998. After
13,000ks my head gasket started to leak & they replaced it
saying it was
faulty. Now 16,000ks later it's done the same thing again. The car
has
been
serviced regulary and has not had any overheating problems. I have
been
using good quality oil for older engines and a good quality
coolent. The
engine block and head show no signs of corrosion. The leak occured
between
the water jacket and the rear cylinder. They used a
mono-torque ACL Gasket
which they have sent back to ACL. This was over a week ago and my
engine (
3y ) is still sitting in pieces, despite e-mails to LubeMobile and
ACL I
have had no answers from them. Have you any idea's, and do you get
any
other
complaints regarding LubeMobiles service.
Yours Sincerely
Kim
|
| Answer |
Kim
in all fairness LubeMobile is a company that supply mechanic's
To answer your question you are the first to inform me of a
problem but the
problem is not with LubeMobile
If the headgasket, and or cylinder head has become faulty, this is
not the
fault of LubeMobile but the fault of either
and head reco company and or the head gasket maker ACL
I completely understand how you must feel but a mechanic can't be
to blame
for the failure of automotive parts
They must be upset also that this is a repeat problem, let me also
add I
cannot even recommend any company because every time I do
I'm getting negative feedback so Kim you are not on your own here
its a
problem on the increase |
| Who
have you spoken to about this head gasket problem (Darren) |
I
have spoken to and e-mailed 'Mr Paul Sayer from
LubeMobiles Head Office' as well as 'Mr Richard Seduikis' the
manager in
Melbourne. I have also contacted 'Mr Wayne Ryan' in the ACL Gasket
manufacturing company in QLD.
I have received no reply at all from ACL and my last few e-mails
to
Lubemobile have not been replied to. Also when the mechanic took
my
engine
apart he took my cylinder head with him when he left, I have asked
that they
return the head 'without having the evidence of where the Gasket
problem
occured' to me. As yet this has not been done, so I don't even
have a
whole engine.
Regards
from an extremely frustrated
Kim T
|
| Kim |
Thanks
for your prompt reply Darren,
I would like to know who should be responsible for repairing
the car,
I only dealt with LubeMobile, they supplied the reco head and the
gasket, surely
it's their responsibility to take the matter up with their
suppliers.
Regards
Kim |
| Answer |
This
would depend on the warranty you have on the invoice, also it
maybe the
case of several parties could be partly to blame
the aim is for you to get your Toyota on the road |
| Question
3-3 Brake Caliper Size |
username=Peter
O'Neill
VehicleType=1969 Mustang Fastback
VehicleAge=33
DistanceTravelled="Many" not a suitable answer
Trans=Auto
Driveline=RWD
Country=Australia
State=Queensland
DateDD=16/05/02
IsThereRoadSafetyEducationInYourTown=No
Subject=Brake Caliper size
comment=Hi Darren,
I am doing up a 1969 Mustang Fastback and I want to do a brake
upgrade. It
is fitted with factory discs on the front. I have sourced a
set of
performance calipers (wilwood Dynalite) for it. I also want
to fit DBA
Longlife rotors to it (cross drilled and slotted). The discs
for this
particular car are 24mm wide. The calipers I have sourced
are 31.8mm wide.
Are these two parts compatible, or are the calipers too big or
small for
those discs?
I hope you can help me out with my enquiry.
Peter. Brisbane, Qld, Oz. |
| Answer
-This Answer was directed to DBA |
Peter
I have made several attempts to make contact with Phillip Joseph
at
DBA but until now he has not supplied any information
that I can help you with but I will try again because this is a
question for
DBA |
| DBA
E-mailed there Answer |
|
Dear Peter & Lucas,
Please note, I have not
received or been informed of any of your enquiries by either
email or via other communication.
I am always
willing to help any enquiry.
We manufacture many
discs for our customers throughout Australia & overseas (
Baer Racing, AEM, etc ).
Re: 1969 Mustang
upgrade:
We do not recommend a
specific disc.
You have not mentioned
any Diameter... 330mm ???
This diameter is
popular 330mm x 32mm ???
Off-set = hat ???
If you could supply a
dimensional drawing,
diameter, thickness,
off-set, center hole etc
Please take note, we
cannot suggest or recommend upgrade, due to legal reasons.
No warranty can apply
to our product, except for Government laws re: manufacturing
liability.
We gaurantee our discs
against any fault in manufacture, not for any use other than
standard replacement.
I am happy to discuss
further, however I would appreciate if you could telephone me,
its quicker and I can answer specific details.
Kind Regards
Phillip Joseph DBA
02 - 9748 0211 Bus.
|
| Question
3-4 Mitsubishi Mirage with poor fuel consumption |
username=James
P
VehicleType=1996 Mitsubishi Mirage
VehicleAge=5
DistanceTravelled=50000
Trans=Auto
Driveline=FWD
Country=Australia
State=NSW
DateDD=21/05/02
IsThereRoadSafetyEducationInYourTown=Yes
Subject=Excessive Fuel Consumption
comment=Dear Virtual Mechanic,
I have just bought a 1996 Mitsubishi Mirage with Automatic
transmission. I
am having trouble with excessive fuel consumption. The
specifications for
the car are that it should get 5.2L/100km on the highway and
7.6L/100km in
the City. I have tested it on the highway and I am only
getting 7.0L/100km!
Very bad! The car is in excellent condition, mechanically,
however the
Automatic transmission may need a service. What do you think the
problem is?
Regards,
James. |
| Darren |
| Are
you or the driver a lead foot |
| James |
Well,
no. That's not exactly the answer I was looking for.
Can you please
have a bit more of a think about it and then get back to me.
I want a
serious answer please. If you don't have any idea, please
say so.
Regards, James. |
| Darren |
James
I'm sorry I have no idea or perhaps are getting too many questions
to
answer its a free service
but I cannot help all the people all the time
The Obvious question is who is servicing the car and are they
changing the
air cleaner
Air may look ok but may still cause an excessive fuel consumption
Drivers like to blame anything but there bad habits
Example I renewed a set of disc pads for a customer, he comes back
after 1
month and says they need to be changed again
He is not happy I ask him are you a lead foot answer NO I saw him
on the
road driving his car and sure enough
he was showing to be an aggressive brake driver but he wanted to
blame me
the bad mechanic for selling a set of disc pads that didn't last
Sure you might think well it also depends on the rotor thickness,
etc etc
So to answer your question the EFI will use according to what the
foot
dictates, factors like correct servicing and driver history all
have alot to
do with fuel consumption
Finally the only way is to measure the problem on a dyno and scope
this way
you can see what the engine is doing and how the engine is coping |
| James |
Dear
Darren,
Thankyou very much for your reply. I am sorry I was a bit
rude in my last
email, I am having a bad day at work. Thanks for your help.
I have just
changed the air cleaner and it was very dirty! But I have
another question;
How does the air filter affect the fuel economy in an EFI engine?
Doesn't
the fuel enter the manifold in precise metered amounts from the
injector,
hence the air should not affect it? I don't understand why
it would affect
it, and how much it would affect it.
Regards,
James. |
| Darren |
The
EFI is not smart enough to realize if the air cleaner is blocked,
all
the EFI can do is what it is programmed to do.
Modify the mixture to keep or maintain smooth running
If the air cleaner is offering any resistance and all air must
flow via the
air cleaner then the EFI will consume more fuel
remember that your car may also be required to be driven in the
high country
where the air is thinner therefore Mr Car maker has factored all
possible
scenarios to keep or maintain Max power the trade off is "A
dirty air
cleaner adds value to John Howard's back pocket as we can pay more
taxes by
purchasing more fuel".
|
| James |
Dear
Darren,
Thanks very much for your reply. It has helped me to
understand how it all
works a little better. Thanks for your help.
Cheers, James.
|
| Question
3-5 Toyota - Harmonic Balancer Spare Part not available |
username=Joseph
VehicleType=Toyota Camry LE 1998
VehicleAge=4
DistanceTravelled=70,000 kms
Trans=Automatic
Driveline=FWD
Country=Philippines
State=Pasig Manila
DateDD=29/05/02
IsThereRoadSafetyEducationInYourTown=Yes
I have a Toyota Camry 98 (70,000 kms) with a 2.2 L
4 cyl engine.
The crankshaft pulley separated so I brought it to a Toyota
dealer and
was there for for a week. They said that the part (No.
1340874041 ) is not
yet available and doesn't know when the part is gonna arrive.
I finally
decided to pull out the unit and went to a Toyota parts dealer but
got the
same answer.
Can I just have it welded and balanced? Is this the right
thing to do or
would it cause more damage in the long run?
And how do I loosen the screw that holds the crankshaft pulley:
clockwise
or counter-clockwise?
I'd really appreciate your reply on this. Thank you.
Joseph
|
| Answer |
Joseph,
The crankshaft pulley is also known as the Harmonic balancer, and
it has a
purpose and that is to balance the vibration of the internal
combustion
engine, from idle to full throttle all engines require a harmonic
balancer
As far as Toyota not having the parts in stock, this is something
very
annoying perhaps they should offer a parts service agreement.
A company that cannot provide a harmonic balancer, then perhaps
this is
something to be remembered when you go shopping for another
feeling.
|
| Question
3-6 HONDA - Do I get a low mile engine or not ??? |
username=Mel
VehicleType=Honda Prelude 2.1
VehicleAge=11 years (1991)
DistanceTravelled=90,000 miles
Trans=Manual
Driveline=FWD
Country=am Cdn in USA
State=NY
DateDD=30/05/02
IsThereRoadSafetyEducationInYourTown=Yes
Subject=??worth replacing blown engine
comment=Hello:
I am delighted to find your site and am writing with sore butt
from kicking
myself hard for not checking my oil recently. Rod broke
yesterday producing
hole in bottom of engine(Ouch!) I have murdered my car. I can get
used
engine imported fr Japan with 40-50k miles for US$2K installed.
Do you
think is worth it? BTW I paid US$3,500 for the car at 80,000miles;
it is 5
speed standard and in amazing shape - virtually new.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INPUT, I appreciate that you offer this. |
| Answer |
I
have had the experience of using the imported engine's and they
can be a
pain in the trunk, because for some reason some items are
different
this is really a question for you
If you intend to keep this beautiful looking vehicle for a long
time then
find a good shop to overhaul the engine
If you intend to get rid of the vehicle in the short term then get
the
supposed low mile engine
The items to watch out for on a jap motor are slightly different
ignitions
systems and timing belts not to mention a different type of
alternator
and or sump |
| Question
3-7 1 of many whom just don't understand how to fill a simple form
out |
1992
Toyota Previa Van
130,000 miles, Automatic Transmission
Front Wheele Drive
Yes, we have information on Road Safety
USA, Florida
SUBJECT: Spark Plug Replacement; 1992 Toyota Previa Van
We have a 1992 Toyota Previa Van, 4 clyinder, with 130,000 miles,
that we are attempting to change the Spark Plugs. I can get
the two rear plugs removed, but there is not enough clearance
between the firewall and the engine to pull the spark plug wires
off the two foward plugs. How do I replace the two front
spark plug wires with such little clearance?
Thank You,
Ray Desvousges |
| Answer |
| Fill
the form out and wait for our reply how hard is
that................................ |
| Question
3-8 Hyundai Lantra Spark plug leads @ 24,000 |
username=Aviva
Goldman
VehicleType=Hyundai Lantra
VehicleAge=3
DistanceTravelled=24,000
Trans=Auto
Driveline=FWD
Country=Austrlalia
State=Vic
Date=17/05/2002
IsThereRoadSafetyEducationInYourTown=No
Subject=spark plug leads
comment=Is it reasonable that the all spark plug leads are wearing
out on my
1999 Lantra which has only done 24,000. I had one replaced (not
under
warranty) because car was "missing" and Hyundai wanted
to replace all 4 at
great expense to me. Car is now driving okay. |
| Answer |
Aviva,
Please forgive me for say the following about Hyundai.
It does not surprise me that the leads required replacement at
only
24,000Kms and I agree this is wrong but you only get what you pay
for,
now this is where I also do not understand how such a cheap
purchase price
can command a very high service cost and most Hyundai owners
get a shock when its time for servicing to see an expensive
invoice
To answer your specific question it is normal practise to renew
all leads at
one time to eliminate any possibility for the other leads to fail
However I believe Hyundai should wave the charge given that the
vehicle has
only travelled 24,000kms
The big question in my mind is how can the RACV rate a Hyundai car
of the
year when they are acting for there members
Someone said to me once money talks all languages.
I hope this helps
Darren
PS RACV are you still acting for YOUR members
????????.............. |
| Question
3-9 Mitsubushi Express 4WD |
username=Den
VehicleType=Mitsubishi Express 4WD
VehicleAge=5
Trans=Manual
Country=AUS
State=NSW
Date 5/6/02
IsThereRoadSafetyEducationInYourTown=Yes
Subject=Is this a good vehicle to drive around Oz?
comment=Greetings virtual mechanic
I'm about to buy a Mitsubishi 4WD next week in which to drive
around Oz (I
want a camper van that takes me to remote places, but I don't want
a truck).
Trouble is, I've been told it's not a good idea to get a van
(Mitsubishi or
Toyota Hiace) because the parts are hard to find in remote places.
Considering we won't be in a rush to get from town to town, and we
won't
mind spending an extra, say, $100 on the delivery parts, do you
still think
it's a bad idea?
Yours gratefully
Den |
| Answer |
Good
question but next time if you send it more than once I'll let your
tyres down
You just may find
better mechanic's in the bush like I did, in Catherine NT.
I'd consider the Mitsu because I have one and have taken it
everywhere (Only
on sealed roads) in Australia
Mitsubishi made a huge mistake when they made the L300 Van,
because its one
of the most reliable vans made
As far as getting parts, I'd be real careful who I'd listen too,
as you know
there is an expert on every corner.
The only thing I
decided to do is keep on the sealed roads because some
corrugated roads can do alot of damage to the suspension
|
| Question
3-10 unable to fill a simple form out for a free service |
Hello,
i have recently purchased a 1995 vw golf with 82000 miles on it.
Just the other day, i started the car and the idle raced up to 20
which I thought was fine seeing that it did drop after about 10
seconds. however the idle appears to be looping from normal
to 15-20 back down to normal idle. this does not happen all
the time, but i sense this still may be detrimental to the
automobile. ANY SUGGESTIONS
|
| Answer |
|
Fill the form out
.....................................................
|
| Question
3-11 Car Manuals |
username=dawn
woolley
VehicleType=Mitsubishi Sigma Sedan G.J. 1982
VehicleAge=20
DistanceTravelled=
Trans=Auto
Country=Australia
State=Vic
Date 04/06/02
IsThereRoadSafetyEducationInYourTown=Yes
Subject=car manual
comment=Dear Sir/Madam,
I'm looking for a car manual for a friend of the model car as
above. Do you
know where I might find an old manual? Dawn |
| Answer |
| Go
here http://web.archive.org/web/20031003012720/http://www.ellery.com.au/ |
| Question
3-12 VR Commodore Sticking Throttle |
username=Sean
VehicleType=VR Commodore
VehicleAge=9
DistanceTravelled=300,000
Trans=Auto
Driveline=RWD
Country=Australia
State=SA
Date 03/06/02
IsThereRoadSafetyEducationInYourTown=No
Subject=High reving
comment=I have a 1993 VR Commodore V6. My main problem with it at
the moment
is the high revs. More often than not the engine revs high - as
opposed to
idling normally (500rpm) it will idle at 2000 rpm. It does this
when it
feels like it. When driving the car it is always "pushing
forward"
especially when sitting at traffic lights, and at lower speeds
(60Kmh) When
declerating from higher speeds (80Kmh to 110Kmh) It
"pulses" and rocks the
car forwards unless i put my foot on the accelerator. It is like
it is
hunting, without actually hunting. If i put the car in
nuetral(while driving
or stationary) the "hunting" stops. But the revs go up
to 2000rpm.
It seems to me that there is a fuel blockage or something up with
the
injectors . I have just recently had the knock sensor replaced due
to a
problem with stalling. (Which it has solved) but this particular
problem
seems to be getting more frequent. I did a test today with it when
it was
"playing up". I pulled away from the kerb without
touching the accelerator.
Within 1 km i was up to 60kmh!!!! After that i had to accelerate
to get to
the 80km speed limit....After about an hour of driving (high speed
80-110kmh) it stopped doing it and went back to normal, for
another half an
hour of driving. After not driving it for about 2 hrs it was then
back to
high reving as soon as i started it. On a cold start it either
revs high or
revs normally and it is the same for hot starts. I should mention
also that
i have had the transmission replaced 5 times over the last 9
yrs.(I bought
it new) This was due to it slipping and the last time the trans
completely
lost the plot. It still slips but it is ok most of the time. Could
the high
reving be somehow related to this?
Any help would be much appreciated,
Sean |
| Answer |
Could
be a damaged inner cable but it should not be driven as it may
cause
an accident in the wet |
| Question
3-13 Transfer Case |
username=Judy
VehicleType=1994 Chevy Blazer
VehicleAge=9
DistanceTravelled=103070
Trans=Auto
Driveline=FWD
Country=United States
State=New York
Date 06/02/02
IsThereRoadSafetyEducationInYourTown=Yes
Subject=transfercase
comment=My Blazer spits out transmission fluid from the overflow
tube on hot
days. My husband and I thought it was comming from the
transmission and
found out it was from the transfer case instead. How do we
correct this
problem without taking it to a garage and spending a fortune.
My husband
has done all of our mechanical work on all of our vehicles from
the 1965
chevy Malibu to the 1998 chevy s10, granted the 1965
is much easier and
less complicated. Any help from you will be greatly
appreciated.
Thank you.
Judy. oopps I forgot to add it is 4 wheel drive. |
| Answer |
| Sorry
not sure |
| Question
3-14 Head Gasket |
username=Dan
Roth
VehicleType=Ford Probe
VehicleAge=7
DistanceTravelled=95,000
Trans=Auto
Driveline=FWD
Country=USA
State=Pennsylvania
DateDD=02
DateMM=06
DateYY=02
IsThereRoadSafetyEducationInYourTown=Yes
Subject=Head Gasket Sealants
comment=I have a 95 Ford Probe with a 2.0L engine. The water
pump failed
and the engine overheated. Two of the four cylinders get
coolant into them
and of course it is difficult to start the engine. I tried
"Blue Devil"
sealant to seal the possible blown head gasket. It worked
for 3 days then
leaked again. Do you know of any sealant that works well?
Dan Roth, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Answer |
| I
think get it repaired |
| Question
3-15 Toyota Vienta V6 (Toyota say no to LPG) can I fit gas
?....... |
username=Chris
VehicleType=Toyota Vienta V6
VehicleAge=4
DistanceTravelled=60,000
Trans=Auto
Driveline=FWD
Country=Australia
State=Victoria
Date 20/06/02
IsThereRoadSafetyEducationInYourTown=No
Subject=LPG conversion for Toyotas
comment=Hello,
Question: can Toyota engines (particularly Vienta V6) take LPG
conversion?
Background: I have a Vienta V6. The need to increase travel
has me
thinking of LPG, but have come across conflicting
information.
1) Some say any modern engine that can take unleaded petrol
can take LPG.
Others, say LPG needs specially hardened valves
& seats etc, as LPG is even drier & burns hotter than
unleaded petrol.
And 'ordinary'
Toyota engines are thus not LPG compatible.
2) I called up Toyota - the official stance is "LPG not
recommended".
Yet, I also found out (friend in oil industry) that almost all
taxis in
Japan run on LPG. And most taxis are Toyotas! Unless,
of course, there
is actually a different engine for taxis. I am unable to
find this out,
as I can't read Jap websites.
Have you come across any problems with valve seat recession?
Any info gratefully received
Thanks
Chris
|
| Answer |
Chris,
This is a very good question because my answer will change from
year to
year.
I had to ring my friend at RL Walker, Noble Park 9791 2549 where
Rod
installs LPG to almost any and every vehicle
he also has alot to do with taxis.
This is the following answer
The Toyota is able to be fitted with LPG but the reason why Toyota
may say
no is because you will require engine work in the long term.
Its to do with the valves, even tho they are hydraulic they
require shims to
prevent any premature wear.
Using gas may require the vales and seats to be check more closely
at
service intervals
If your Mr private and travelling about 25,000 kms per year then
it "may"
take several years before major work is required.
The taxis in Japan may only operate for X amount of Kms before
they are
change over or repaired.
For some reason Toyota may not be interested in running vehicles
on gas this
is there right but at a cost to many.
I want to offer another idea, and that is Mitsubishi Magna is
bringing out a
factory fitted LPG vehicle this to me is a much better idea
because
they seem to listen to there customer needs and are able to make
the effort
to change.
Chris I hope this has helped you I know changing the feeling to a
Mitsubishi
Magna is at a cost but your pocket will benefit in the long term.
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