Just Bought My Second Avensis!

[natehall]

Hi All!

I have just bought my second Avensis - My first was a 53 plate T3-x VVTI 2-3 years ago and I was so gutted I had to sell it I vowed to get another at some point - and im collecting it on saturday.

I have bought a T2 Hatch this time around - a bit trim bare for my liking but it is the right car at the right money and I always have a bad habit of adding bits to cars (I built a base spec Sierra without even electric windows up to Ghia Spec over time)

But first I need to make sure its mechanically sound... I am quite well versed in mechanics, having built many engines up but want to be prepared with the parts and required tools ready to give her a major service as the current owner doesnt know when it was last done.

Do I need locking pins to change the cambelt?

Do I need a special size socket to change the oil filter(IE on a mondeo its a 36mm shallow socket)

What spec oil do I need for it and how much do I need.

Once this is sorted - i will be buying some 16" standard fitment 5 spoke T3-x alloys (if anyone has a set they want to sell in the northwest then please pm me) and fitting snow tyres to the steel wheels on it at the minute and starting to improve the spec..

Things I would particularly like to retrofit if it doesnt already have it (from Mr T specs I dont think it does) ..

Automatic rain sensing wipers

Auto-Dim rear view mirror

Electric door Mirrors

Climate Control

Silver in dash centre dash console

Centre console armrest

Will it have the fuel computer with trip etc fitted as standard - I loved that feature on my old one?

Cant wait till I pick it up

[cmia]

diesel or petrol?

[natehall]

diesel or petrol?

Sorry forgot to mention it in my excitement lol

Its a 2.0 D4D

[cmia]

What year?

new toy!

most would be excited!

Edited October 24, 2011 by cmia

[natehall]

What year?

new toy!

most would be excited!

I feel like such a newbie - Most dont know what this car means to me - broke my heart to sell the T3-X in 09, and I vowed to get another avensis, mistakenly bought a mondeo in april when I should have saved a bit harder... Sold that and bought this.

Its a 53 plate T2 D4D Hatch in silver

[cmia]

why didnt you like the ford?

good luck with your new motor.

Do I need locking pins to change the cambelt?

Yes and No.

To do the timing belt on the 1CD-FTV you are looking at alot of hard work, the engine sits next to the chassis leg.

you will need to jack the car up, support the engine from underneath. Remove drive belts and the engine mount then plastics.

Plastics are split into two.

To get the main pully off you need to use a extractor tool.

you need to make sure ALL the marks on the crank, camshaft line up to TDC.

They have two marks on them double check!

Inspect water pump

The Dayco timing belt kit is very good. I recommend you get this You will get the two pullies and the belt.

Diesel pump is electronic and does not need timing.

Do I need a special size socket to change the oil filter(IE on a mondeo its a 36mm shallow socket)

Not sure on size, but it is a metal filter, just remove by hand!

What spec oil do I need for it and how much do I need.

With a full drain the 1CD-FTV will take just less then 6 litres. (5.8)

Diffrent types of oil grades can be used, Toyota recommend 0-30 / 10-40.

Toyota do 5 cans of 5 litre oil for the price of 4!

Once this is sorted - i will be buying some 16" standard fitment 5 spoke T3-x Alloys (if anyone has a set they want to sell in the northwest then please pm me) and fitting snow tyres to the steel wheels on it at the minute and starting to improve the spec..

eBay is probably better to look at.

[cmia]

Automatic rain sensing wipers

unless the wiring and sensors are present this would be hard to do!

Auto-Dim rear view mirror

Easy to do as it works on ignition live, you can just buy a mirror from a breaker and install in car

Electric door Mirrors

Car doesnt have folding mirrors.

Climate Control

this probably cant be done due to cost - you will need to buy the wiring/pipes and climate control unit.

Silver in dash centre dash console

breaker yard

Centre console armrest

breaker yard

Will it have the fuel computer with trip etc fitted as standard

Not sure! I may have a range computer / average mpg.

Good luck with your new car,

[natehall]

why didnt you like the ford?

The Mondeo Ghia X TDCI is a great car - I loved the luxury and refinement, we just didnt get on.. owned it 6 months and it needed 3 tyres, a exhaust, the handbrake cable snapped and the central locking didnt work. It also sounded like the DMF was getting ready to give up and it just plain failed to start a couple times (although tried a few minutes later and it started fine!

Do I need locking pins to change the cambelt?

Yes and No.

To do the timing belt on the 1CD-FTV you are looking at alot of hard work, the engine sits next to the chassis leg.

you will need to jack the car up, support the engine from underneath. Remove drive belts and the engine mount then plastics.

Plastics are split into two.

To get the main pully off you need to use a extractor tool.

you need to make sure ALL the marks on the crank, camshaft line up to TDC.

They have two marks on them double check!

Inspect water pump

The Dayco timing belt kit is very good. I recommend you get this You will get the two pullies and the belt.

Diesel pump is electronic and does not need timing.

Whist im in there, I will replace the water pump and flush the cooling system - safest way for the long run!

Do I need a special size socket to change the oil filter(IE on a mondeo its a 36mm shallow socket)

Not sure on size, but it is a metal filter, just remove by hand!

Excellent - love the standard filters rather than the paper element replacement in a plastic casing!

What spec oil do I need for it and how much do I need.

With a full drain the 1CD-FTV will take just less then 6 litres. (5.8)

Diffrent types of oil grades can be used, Toyota recommend 0-30 / 10-40.

Toyota do 5 cans of 5 litre oil for the price of 4!

I have some halvoline 10w40 diesel oil in the shed already I bought for the mondeo so I will probably use that as long as it meets the toyota standards - buts its good to know that toyota do such good deals!

[cmia]

paper filters started in 2006+ toyotas

Halvoline I have used in the past.

The TCDI have some very common faults

DMF, HPFP, Injectors.

[js77]

Know how you feel, mate

Just got my 2.2 D4D T4 hatch a couple of weeks ago. It has everything on your wish list. I have not driven it much but I think it will be right for me as I've had Carina/Avensis for many years now.

At first I kinda regretted getting it as there are better looking cars out there - Mazda 6, Peugeot 407, Ford Mondeo, Vaux Insignia etc. But this car grows on you - getting to love the look and feel.

I hope you enjoy your new car. Please let us know how you get on with it.

Jim

[Duffryn]

Can't, for the life of me, believe that anyone would covet rain-sensing wipers. The most annoying, aggravating, frustrating invention on a car - ever!

Give me variable-intermittent wipers anytime.

However - Good luck with the car.

[natehall]

Know how you feel, mate

Just got my 2.2 D4D T4 hatch a couple of weeks ago. It has everything on your wish list. I have not driven it much but I think it will be right for me as I've had Carina/Avensis for many years now.

At first I kinda regretted getting it as there are better looking cars out there - Mazda 6, Peugeot 407, Ford Mondeo, Vaux Insignia etc. But this car grows on you - getting to love the look and feel.

I hope you enjoy your new car. Please let us know how you get on with it.

Jim

I disagree about better looking cars, the others all look like copies of each other except the Mondeo, the mondeo is a very capable car but I prefered my VVTI avensis on looks and comfort!

I cant wait to get it - I feel like a kid at christmas counting down the sleeps - only 4 sleeps to go

Can't, for the life of me, believe that anyone would covet rain-sensing wipers. The most annoying, aggravating, frustrating invention on a car - ever!

Give me variable-intermittent wipers anytime.

However - Good luck with the car.

Id agree on the variable intermettent wipers being good, but I just like those little luxuries.

[natehall]

Automatic rain sensing wipers

unless the wiring and sensors are present this would be hard to do!

Auto-Dim rear view mirror

Easy to do as it works on ignition live, you can just buy a mirror from a breaker and install in car

Electric door Mirrors

Car doesnt have folding mirrors.

Climate Control

this probably cant be done due to cost - you will need to buy the wiring/pipes and climate control unit.

Silver in dash centre dash console

breaker yard

Centre console armrest

breaker yard

Will it have the fuel computer with trip etc fitted as standard

Not sure! I may have a range computer / average mpg.

Good luck with your new car,

Excellent - I have only just read this post as I was replying to you last night - I am hoping it has the range computer / average mpg kit fitted as this looks to be the hardest thing to retrofit - adding sensors etc doesnt frighten me or new wires.

So the silver console would just be a straight swap then?