Egr Valves /tyres & Heads Gaskets D4D-T180

[tubaman]

Took my 2006 Avensis D4-D T180 in for its 60K service today at my local Toyota dealership. I asked them in advance to clean my EGR valve & inlet assembly below & report back to me.

1) EGR valve assembly and inlet manifold was last cleaned 12 months ago (over in a Toyota dealership in germany whilst on hols) and 17K miles ago. The engineer reported that the inlet assembly below was quite blocked but the soot was dry. He said it would have been much more of a problem is the soot had have been went as this would have been an indication that the engine would have been burning oil. I generally do a good mix of town, A road & motorway driving and ALWAYS use Millers Sport Diesel additive. I previously thought that the optimum time for cleaning the EGR assemble would be at 10k miles but I guess 12-15K would be more realistic depending on type of driving etc.

2) I put a new set of Bridgestone Turanza tyres on the car 12m ago - fronts are down to 4mm & rears to 4.8mm after 17K miles. I'd be interested to know what others get on this car - I recon I probably have another 3 months or so left on the fronts (maybe more). Anyone know a really good BUDGET tyre 215/50 R17v ?

3) Is it me or is it just a minority of T180 owners that suffer from head gasket failure ? Reading this forum over a number of years you would think they all fail. I'm guessing maybe the ones that are failing are ones where the engine has previosly been hammered (previous owner ?) or not serviced correctly. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

[acetip]

How well did the tyres you replaced with Bridgestones last.

If i remember correctly new tyres are about 8mm so yours are are half worn.

but you are only legal down to 1.6mm.

[Avensis_dad]

re EGR. I had a new one fitted 22,000 miles ago and on Friday failed on me, choked up with soot. As the part was only fitted in December Toyota changed FOC. I use 100% Shell V-power, services all with Toyota franchised dealer but I have been trying to wring more MPG out of the girl. Expect this caused excessive sooting of EGR. Dealer mentioned that Toyota had extended warranty to 110,000 miles as known fault with EGR and were replacing block and valve if fault came up. (My T180 now on 135,000 so wouldn't do mine) I'll get it inspected each 10,000 service from now on.Luckly 3 miles from Toyota garage when failed and back on road in about 2.5 hours!

re Tyres. I've had budget tyres and terrible trouble to get balanced 100% when on front. Ended up with Goodyear Eagle NCT which are good. Still prefer Michelin Primacy HP for noise, grip and longevity mix. Getting two new ones tomorrow on front and having couple 5-6mm second hand bourght off e-bay put on back = average price tyre £90.

re head gasket. Sorry never had a problem yet......

[cmia]

re EGR. I had a new one fitted 22,000 miles ago and on Friday failed on me, choked up with soot. As the part was only fitted in December Toyota changed FOC. I use 100% Shell V-power, services all with Toyota franchised dealer but I have been trying to wring more MPG out of the girl. Expect this caused excessive sooting of EGR. Dealer mentioned that Toyota had extended warranty to 110,000 miles as known fault with EGR and were replacing block and valve if fault came up. (My T180 now on 135,000 so wouldn't do mine) I'll get it inspected each 10,000 service from now on.Luckly 3 miles from Toyota garage when failed and back on road in about 2.5 hours!

re Tyres. I've had budget tyres and terrible trouble to get balanced 100% when on front. Ended up with Goodyear Eagle NCT which are good. Still prefer Michelin Primacy HP for noise, grip and longevity mix. Getting two new ones tomorrow on front and having couple 5-6mm second hand bourght off e-bay put on back = average price tyre £90.

re head gasket. Sorry never had a problem yet......

What year is your avensis.

[tubaman]

tubaman's is 2006 - 59K on the clock

[Avensis_dad]

Avensisdad T180 is June 07 had from new.