New Member, New Problem!

[Methuze]

Hi all,

Like to announce my arrival, from down here in Sunny Cornwall, just had my account Okayed so here is the real reason I am here. I have owned many vehicles in the past, Ford, Vauxhaul, LandRover, VW and they all have their little problems but this takes me by suprise.

Before I start I would like to wish all a Happy New Year.

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Car: Avensis 2ltr D4D estate, Y:reg 01' Owned approx 2 months, purchased privatley.

Really pleased overall with performance and relilability, BUT! driving along the A30 the other day at a steady 70mph the gearbox started popping out of fifth gear. Drives fine in all other gears.

I have my suspicions as to the cause, have owned Landrovers before and having rebuilt several gearboxes before, hope no one says cor-blimey Landrover here, bareing in mind this posting!

What is the likelyhood that this problem could be a detent spring or faulty selection mechanism?

Overall feelings about this, well I don't have to say do I. Having owned a trouble VW Passat for many years, I bought the car due to the fact that they are supposed to be reliable, and to my way of looking at it are more comfortable to drive than VW, Passat/Golfs etc. But do you sacrifice comfort for reliabilty?

Now I am wondering if I have done the right thing as many people say about gearbox problems with Toyotas' Is it worth fixing if its going to cost another £1000+ just so it goes in another year or so, or is their some other option? Still thinking at the moment.

Your thoughts on this and the overall reliabilty of Toyotas' would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

[bjw]

There are some Toyota mechanics who work for dealers who visit this forum and they are always very helpful and I am sure they will give you the appropriate advise .

Regarding reliability problems I think they have there problems just like any other manufacturer some of the common ones are excessive oil consumption which have been repaired under warranty on the petrol versions I do not think it effects diesels and faulty steering racks which also have been replaced under a product recall

.

Has your car got a full Toyota service history it could be good idea to check with the dealer if any recall work has been done on the car

Also you could do a forum search for Avensis gearbox problems

[Methuze]

There are some Toyota mechanics who work for dealers who visit this forum and they are always very helpful and I am sure they will give you the appropriate advise .

Regarding reliability problems I think they have there problems just like any other manufacturer some of the common ones are excessive oil consumption which have been repaired under warranty on the petrol versions I do not think it effects diesels and faulty steering racks which also have been replaced under a product recall

.

Has your car got a full Toyota service history it could be good idea to check with the dealer if any recall work has been done on the car

Also you could do a forum search for Avensis gearbox problems

Thanks bjw,

Will be getting in touch with Toyota tomorrow as I no longer trust many of the garages around my area. Tend to have the habit of leaving bolts loose! Toyota mechanics have so far been pretty good.

I agree anything with moving parts can never be 100%, just my bad luck, as was mentioned to me today.

It has a full service history yes, am going to sit down and peruse all the work done to date.

I will of course let all know what the outcome is. Keeping my fingers crossed, something simple.

[bjw]

It may be useful to know that some Toyota dealers offer a reduced labour rate and discounted parts on vehicles over three years old I believe they call it "Toyota loyalty scheme" and the discount gets bigger as the car gets older.

I think it makes good business sense for the garage as the owners of these vehicles would go elsewhere .

[Ray99]

Hi Methuse

I am one of the above mentioned Toyo tech's. Firstly, the Avensis is by and large quite reliable. Secondly the occasional gearbox does give trouble. The usual complaint is growling at speed. The two bearings that support the two mainshafts at the fifth speed end are prone to premature wear. Finally, detents do not hold a gear in place. The design of the locking teeth hold the gear. It's too complex to try to describe in words. If you have jumping out of gear, especially fifth, I suspect that the mainshaft nut has come loose and allowing too much end float. This means the shaft will move beneath the gear and will throw it out of mesh, ususally on the overrun. The main shaft nut can be tightened without removing the gearbox. Just drain the oil, remove the fifth speed cover and tighten the nut. Be sure to stake it after tightening. I'll be surprised if other damage has not taken place. My recommendation would be to strip the box for inspection and if there is any doubt, replace the two bearings and any other worn parts. Regards Ray

[Philip55]

Hi Methuse

I am one of the above mentioned Toyo tech's. Firstly, the Avensis is by and large quite reliable. Secondly the occasional gearbox does give trouble. The usual complaint is growling at speed. The two bearings that support the two mainshafts at the fifth speed end are prone to premature wear. Finally, detents do not hold a gear in place. The design of the locking teeth hold the gear. It's too complex to try to describe in words. If you have jumping out of gear, especially fifth, I suspect that the mainshaft nut has come loose and allowing too much end float. This means the shaft will move beneath the gear and will throw it out of mesh, ususally on the overrun. The main shaft nut can be tightened without removing the gearbox. Just drain the oil, remove the fifth speed cover and tighten the nut. Be sure to stake it after tightening. I'll be surprised if other damage has not taken place. My recommendation would be to strip the box for inspection and if there is any doubt, replace the two bearings and any other worn parts. Regards Ray

I am a new member and I have found this forum very helpful! I have just purchased a 1998 Avensis 2.0 GLS 5 door hatchback and I am very pleased with the car so far. It is useful to know that this model does have some faults though but then again what car doesnt? My Avensis has 64,400 miles registered and it seemd to be almost perfect in every way. So tell me what might I need to look out for at this age and milage? It is my intention to keep this beauty for a very long time!!

Philip

[Methuze]

Hi Methuse

I am one of the above mentioned Toyo tech's. Firstly, the Avensis is by and large quite reliable. Secondly the occasional gearbox does give trouble. The usual complaint is growling at speed. The two bearings that support the two mainshafts at the fifth speed end are prone to premature wear. Finally, detents do not hold a gear in place. The design of the locking teeth hold the gear. It's too complex to try to describe in words. If you have jumping out of gear, especially fifth, I suspect that the mainshaft nut has come loose and allowing too much end float. This means the shaft will move beneath the gear and will throw it out of mesh, ususally on the overrun. The main shaft nut can be tightened without removing the gearbox. Just drain the oil, remove the fifth speed cover and tighten the nut. Be sure to stake it after tightening. I'll be surprised if other damage has not taken place. My recommendation would be to strip the box for inspection and if there is any doubt, replace the two bearings and any other worn parts. Regards Ray

Hi Ray,

Thanks for your advice. Been into the garage today, haven't sorted the problem but have pointed me in the right direction, and were very good on the cost! Apparently they took the 5th gear cover off and spotted some wear but think the problem resides in the internal selector mechanism. Booked into a specialist in Exeter for Monday, who says the 5th gear shaft should come out unless its the welded in type. Will have to wait and see.

Wil post more when I have more info.