D4d Colour Collection

[JAHill]

I have the cheapo Colour Collection variant of the 2004 Avensis D4D 2.0 I don't possess front fogs... Not a problem as I never used them in my previous car anyway and I don't want to start any Front Fogs HolyWars on the boards! ;)

Anyway, my question is that I've noticed that on the driver side, where the foglight would be, there is a black blanking plate blocking off the grilling. On the passenger side, there isn't. There's just an open hole, which does allow air (rain, bugs, grit, stones) to flow into what I presume to be the intercooler.

Pardon my ignorance, but is this a "feature" or a fault? Have I lost the passenger side "blanking plate" or is it simply not there to allow the intercooler to, well, cool?

(Once again, HAYNES, get a !Removed! maintenance manual out. The previous model Avensis is only just getting one next year! :ffs: Not that I'm any cop with a spanner but I do like to know how things work. ;( )

Other than that, what can I say? Excellent car (first Toyota). Lots of space and comfort (my 10 month old son loves it too!). Also got it for a decent price which helps keep the smile.

Link to image of "vent". (here)

Many thanks,

Jim

[runboy]

Some cars at the front have towing eyes/hook etc when the car can easily be hooked up with a straight bar behind a AA van.

Could it be this?

[JAHill]

Thad had crossed my mind as you do see loads of cars with a loop out of the front of an open "vent". But I've just spoken to the Toyota dealer and it is intentionally left open for the intercooler. So... sorted then! :o)

Cheers,

Jim

[Mkuk0]

Was gonna say it is intentional they all have it, but you beat me to it. Nice avatar BTW (rofl)

[JAHill]

Cheers! I had the Buddy Krist figure stuck to my last vehicle's (a van) dashboard as a joke...

Got a few comments good & bad! ;)

Best bit was, a "friend of a a friend" who is very religious saw it and asked where she could get one for her car! :D

Cheers,

Jim

[Demonic Angel]

Yeah we have the same issue with our D-4D Corolla - the petrol version has fogs, but our diesel doesnt!

You've gotta love the buddy Chr1st btw... Dogma is an ace film!

[silverarrow]

air intake air is cooler and the ram effect

BUT make sure you do not drive through deep puddles eg floods in winter air in not water

i am aware that some engines have a cover to block the air intake as a temp measure when you have to drive through deep water

[JAHill]

Yeah we have the same issue with our D-4D Corolla - the petrol version has fogs, but our diesel doesnt!

You've gotta love the buddy Chr1st btw... Dogma is an ace film!   

←

Alanis as God? I don't think anyone saw that coming! ;)

air intake air is cooler and the ram effect

BUT make sure you do not drive through deep puddles eg floods in winter air in not water

i am aware that some engines have a cover to block the air intake as a temp measure when you have to drive through deep water

←

I'll have to keep that in mind as there are a few places near me that flood a bit in winter, one to about a foot, so I won't be going that way. ;)

Cheers,

Jim

[kam_61]

Mornin Chaps, I have a 2002 d4d, purchased from dealer 2 months ago. Mine did come with front fogs. When I was doing my final checks around the car I noticed that there was no blanking plate next to the fog on the passenger side. I told the dealer this and he went off to another car, screwdriver in hand and pulled on off and put it on my car. After reading this post I am wondering whether to leave it on there or take it off to help with air intake. Any replies welcom. Thanks

[JAHill]

Just spoke to my local car mech about something completely unrelated so I brought this up... Anyway, he sugested getting some small gauge meshed grille and fit it to the back of the open fog lamp "vent" just to stop debris impacting the intercooler, on the grounds of replacing an intercooler isn't as cheap as some grille! ;) When I asked about just blanking it off he said "They probably don't do it for a reason mate!" so maybe thats an answer? I do know though, that one mechanic won't agree with another ;) so your mileage may vary.

[silverarrow]

yeah cool air and ram effect try and rev a diesel at high altitude

[redbandit]

Yep just checked my 03 t3-s d- 4d and sure enough missing blanking plate. Rang dealer to be told exactly that there is'nt one because of the intercooler. So why do the new models without the fogs have meshed blanking plates. I wonder if they do replacement ones for the older models.