2.2 D4D 2005 Avensis Estate - Water Useage

[GPO]

Just for info.

Had the 90000 mile service carried out on the Avensis at Toyota.

Have had very occassional slight water useage for a while, topped the header tank up from low to high a couple of times about a month ago, and similarly several months earlier. Ive been closely monitoring the water level.

Diagnosed by Toyota at this service as a very slight water leak from the water pump, and advised to monitor it and possibly change it next service. Quoted £400 for the pump including fitting.

This seems to correlate with other reports on here that slight leaks like this that go unnoticed, may result in serious engine problems in addition to the well reported head gaskett issue.

[ormi]

what colour is the water bottle?has it got a blackish tinge to it?

also the water pump is ment to leak slightly due to the type of sealing

[igormus]

Just for info.

Had the 90000 mile service carried out on the Avensis at Toyota.

Have had very occassional slight water useage for a while, topped the header tank up from low to high a couple of times about a month ago, and similarly several months earlier. Ive been closely monitoring the water level.

Diagnosed by Toyota at this service as a very slight water leak from the water pump, and advised to monitor it and possibly change it next service. Quoted £400 for the pump including fitting.

This seems to correlate with other reports on here that slight leaks like this that go unnoticed, may result in serious engine problems in addition to the well reported head gaskett issue.

hi mate

it is correct the cooling pump is due to be changed by 60-70k -- it services this millage. Double check with other possible coolant leak traces in the engine compartment. DO not forget to check with an expansion tank - whether or not the colour of the coolant is changed or an oil film is available. Cheers/Igor

[GPO]

what colour is the water bottle?has it got a blackish tinge to it?

also the water pump is ment to leak slightly due to the type of sealing

Thanks for the replies

The water in the header tank is the normal coolant pink, no sign of oil.

Its funny that the water use is definitely not constant, a small amount of toping up then it settles for ages. I do a reasonable amount of mileage, about 25k this year and dont drive it hard, 40 miles each day commuting, mainly A roads and some small steep lanes. Some motorway bashing at the weekend.

I'll keep you posted.

Thanks

Chris

[jadarnes]

Hi, I had a 2006 T180 Avensis and for a while found myself having to top up the coolant every couple of hundred miles. Took it to my Toyota dealer and they told me the head gasket was leaking. They performed a pressure test to diagnose this. You should ask them if they have done a pressure test on your car.

One thing I noticed was that there were whitish water stains on the black plastic engine cover, I'd clean them off but then a couple if hundred miles later they were back again. The service guy said this was one of the symptoms of a leaking head gasket. I did not notice the coolant being a darkish colour.

Toyota were good to me, even though I was 3000 miles out of the warranty they fitted a new head gasket & cylinder head. The catalytic then failed a few months later which they also replaced for free (I wonder if this was related to the leaking coolant damaging it somehow).

Good luck.

[GPO]

Hi all

Well my water use problem has taken a turn for the worse, erratic water use, sometimes header tank going from full to well below empty in my 20 mile commmute, other times nothing at all.

On start up lots of gurgles as if you were running the bath out.

No oil use or emulsified oil on the filler cap.

Took it to Mr T who has diagnosed head gaskett failure and it goes in tomorrow for a strip down and then Toyota will decide what happens next.

Alternator went before Christmass at 96k, stung a bit, £565 fitted !

I'll let you know how it pans out.

[Mistermena]

Hi, I had a 2006 T180 Avensis and for a while found myself having to top up the coolant every couple of hundred miles. Took it to my Toyota dealer and they told me the head gasket was leaking. They performed a pressure test to diagnose this. You should ask them if they have done a pressure test on your car.

One thing I noticed was that there were whitish water stains on the black plastic engine cover, I'd clean them off but then a couple if hundred miles later they were back again. The service guy said this was one of the symptoms of a leaking head gasket. I did not notice the coolant being a darkish colour.

Toyota were good to me, even though I was 3000 miles out of the warranty they fitted a new head gasket & cylinder head. The catalytic then failed a few months later which they also replaced for free (I wonder if this was related to the leaking coolant damaging it somehow).

Good luck.

Did you get a new 3/4 engine fitted by the dealer?

[Mistermena]

Hi, I had a 2006 T180 Avensis and for a while found myself having to top up the coolant every couple of hundred miles. Took it to my Toyota dealer and they told me the head gasket was leaking. They performed a pressure test to diagnose this. You should ask them if they have done a pressure test on your car.

One thing I noticed was that there were whitish water stains on the black plastic engine cover, I'd clean them off but then a couple if hundred miles later they were back again. The service guy said this was one of the symptoms of a leaking head gasket. I did not notice the coolant being a darkish colour.

Toyota were good to me, even though I was 3000 miles out of the warranty they fitted a new head gasket & cylinder head. The catalytic then failed a few months later which they also replaced for free (I wonder if this was related to the leaking coolant damaging it somehow).

Good luck.

Did you get a new 3/4 engine fitted by the dealer?

Hi all

Well my water use problem has taken a turn for the worse, erratic water use, sometimes header tank going from full to well below empty in my 20 mile commmute, other times nothing at all.

On start up lots of gurgles as if you were running the bath out.

No oil use or emulsified oil on the filler cap.

Took it to Mr T who has diagnosed head gaskett failure and it goes in tomorrow for a strip down and then Toyota will decide what happens next.

Alternator went before Christmass at 96k, stung a bit, £565 fitted !

I'll let you know how it pans out.

A new engine I bet mate from Mr T...

[GPO]

Here is the latest.

Car went to Toyota Bath on monday, picked it up yesterday with new engine fitted.

During works it was identified that the clutch friction plate, DMF and a wheel bearing were shot, hence a bill of £1400, ouch.

Still, car is back home, is much quieter and smoother, and I have transport again, which is lucky as I am moving house in a fortnight.

I have to give it to Toyota, its an incredible piece of customer service. But on the other hand, at 97k the vehicle has already had a new; alternator, front shocks, engine, clutch, wheel bearing.

Hopefully it will be reliable for a bit now, I'll keep you posted.