Sienta - Toyota Won't Supply Part

[icottee]

I moved back to the UK from Japan last year and brought my Sienta with me. It's a great little family car. Unfortunately the automatic transmission has recently suffered a broken bearing and nobody will supply the part for it. :(

We've spoken to a couple of people in Japan and they say that the transmissions are guaranteed for five years in Japan but when they fail the whole transmission unit is returned to Toyota and they replace the whole thing. They can't/won't provide just the part.

Our transmission people in the UK have been going around the houses trying to find something but to no avail.

Anyone been in a similar position? Any ideas what my options are?

Ian

[Boro Sera]

Import or not, if the part is available then Toyota will supply it. Unfortunately from what you said this seems like a 'special case' where the whole unit is replaced by Toyota. I'm a bit stuck for ideas - unless another transmission unit could be attached. There are a few breakers yards in the UK that just deal with Japanese cars - JapParts in Stockton on Tees for example. There's a slim chance that you may find a whole unit in one of these.

Good Luck !

Rich

[icottee]

Rich, many thanks for the advice. Unfortunately, as far as I know I've currently got the only Sienta in Europe so it's unlikely I'll find the part scrapped :-(

The transmission center I am talking to reckon they can probably make a replacement bearing by taking one similar and modifying it which looks like being my only option. Excuse the dull question (I know the square root of fa about cars) but I assume I can't just replace the whole transmission with a different type?

Ian

[Boro Sera]

That's what i was wondering. If it shared the engine/box with another model in the Toyota family. Don't suppose you know the engine code do you?

[icottee]

That's what i was wondering. If it shared the engine/box with another model in the Toyota family. Don't suppose you know the engine code do you?

I do!! About one of the few things I did manage to find out :).

Engine type is 1NZFE, toyota part number 30410-52030

[Boro Sera]

a quick google search says that it's also used in the Yaris/Scion/Echo. Might give you a fighting chance !

An old link here about a UK company that may be able to help you out - worth contacting them anyway !!

http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/lof...php/t21109.html

[icottee]

Thanks for all the help but it looks like there's no happy ending. Currently the car is sitting forlorn in a garage and I'm being told to either scrap it or Shell out 4.5K for a new transmission. All for the want of a bearing. Anyone want to buy a great family car - one careful owner - but doesn't er - actually go. :(

a quick google search says that it's also used in the Yaris/Scion/Echo. Might give you a fighting chance !

An old link here about a UK company that may be able to help you out - worth contacting them anyway !!

http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/lof...php/t21109.html

[Boro Sera]

If the 1NZ lump you have is used in the Yaris etc, then another ( and much cheaper ) option is to convert the car to manual transmission.

It's not a massive job and a new box and pedals shouldn't cost you the earth.

[icottee]

That's a very interesting thought. Many thanks for that. I'll have a word with the garage.

If the 1NZ lump you have is used in the Yaris etc, then another ( and much cheaper ) option is to convert the car to manual transmission.

It's not a massive job and a new box and pedals shouldn't cost you the earth.

[joystar]

another option; the car was meant for the japanese market,so maybe there's a lot of these being broken in japan, especially while the japanese don't tend to keep their cars too long,the hard part is finding somebody in japan to source and send it [of course you take the chance its all right].Its a lot of work on the internet but it could be worth it!

start with www.kanatrading.co.jp.another thought- cars are a lot cheaper in japan,so a new part direct from japan would be a lot cheaper

[Andy]

I would contact Toyota head office, the dealers you went to dont know the model so would not be keen to help.

Toyota (GB) Ltd

The Quadrangle, Redhill, Surrey, RH11 1PX

(01737) 768 585

Or you could try Toyota Europe mailto:karen.peeters@toyota-europe.com

[rickers]

hi guys;

just out of interest, what is a Sienta, cant find it on my cheat sheet here:

http://english.auto.vl.ru/catalog/toyota/

just being curious here. another thought, could you just not open the box and replace the bearing?

good luck

rickers

[Boro Sera]

There's a link in the original post at the top of the page to Toyota Japan Sienta page. !

I'm stunned too that it can't just be stripped, sourced and rebuilt.

[icottee]

Well - all good things ...

I'm in Japan at the moment - been here since the end of December. Original plan was to try and source a wrecked car and take the unit out of that - or failing that spend approx 2K on a replacement and get it shipped back and fitted.

I've not found a wreck and even if I did I'd be nervous about using the old parts. And even if I ship a replacement part back to the UK it won't be guaranteed. I can buy the part in the UK but it will cost me 4.5K. Soooo - my faithful friend is going to be scrapped or sold to anybody with an interest. I plan on buying a second hand avensis for about 3K instead. :-(

Anyone know of anyone who'd be interested in buying a Sienta with a broken transmission in the boot?

Yours heartbroken of Nagoya/Chester

Ian

PS Thanks once again to all who offered help and advice over the last months. Much appreciated and at least I felt I gave it my best shot. Many thanks once again.

[Karma Supra]

Try a different toyota dealership. My local dealerships is VERY helpful when it comes to parts and odd imports!!

Toyota will replace the entire gearbox as it would probably be more cost effective to swap it over then rebuild it later for another exchange unit, then rebuild them all as they come in, couple that with the fact that most dealerships don't have mechanics... they have "fitters" that just replace broken things, -they don't fix them!

The part will be avalaible (its probably not even a "true" toyota part, but and outsourced bearing!) if they are willing to look for it on the EPC.

There should be a transmission code on the Vin plate

Don't give up!