New Avensis owner

[d-a-n]

Hi there, I've just bought an 85k 2005 1.8 T3-S and although it's not displaying any signs of it yet, I'm having a minor panic having read the oil burning issues and really hope this won't be the case. Do ALL ZZ engines of this time end up burning oil or is it just pot luck? Cheers, Dan

[alan333]

The cause for it was oil burning on the underside of the pistons, so I personally reckon the motorway ones have the worst chance since the oil would be hotter for longer periods.  Since yours has only done 8.5k per year there's a fair chance it hasn't done too many high speed motorway journeys, so you might just be ok.  That's only my personal thoughts tho, but hopefully it'll make you feel better :)

[Konrad C]

It depends if the engine is the 'modified build'. I have seen reports that during 2005 the 1ZZ engine was modified, so that ended the oil burning problem. Is your engine one of those? Best to keep checking the oil weekly, and if no drop in oil then it must be okay. Remember, not all pre-modified 1ZZ engines, suffered oil burning issues. pot luck as you said. If you have the history, the engine may have been changed under warranty, in the past. 

Can I also say, depending what oil you are using and the routine oil service may help.    

[FROSTYBALLS]

Hello Dan - welcome to Toyota Owners Club

As far as I'm aware Avensis models with the modified engine were produced from July 2005.

[d-a-n]

Thanks everyone. I've received the car today and it was registered in May 2005 so it won't be a modified engine car, however, I'm going to be getting more documents soon so can check and see. I'll try to keep posted on my progress good or bad; I guess it's all too easy to only read negative things online about a car and if there's an issue, you can bet someone's written about it already, despite lots of others who've got this far without suffering it! A friend had a 52 plate ZZ engined 1.6 Corolla which drank a bit of oil and had the permanent engine light on but he managed to take that to 165k without many other issues!