New Avensis Owner Needs Help !

[albapatriot]

:D Hello Everyone

I am new here and new to being a Toyota owner. I bought an Avensis 1.8 VVTi T4 03 plate on the 5th April, but not from a Toyota dealership. I would be so grateful if anyone could answer the following questions I have.

1) Which engine is mine ?? The owners manual does not have it listed as a 1.8i VVTi so I am a bit confused.

2) Does my car have a cambelt or chain. If a cambelt when does it reuire changing and if a chain does it just get tightened on a service?

3) On Sunday 6th May I had to put 3lts of oil into my car!! I have covered 1500 miles max since buying the car. I find this excessive and have contacted Toyota and they say take it in for a 1000 mile test ? is this fault fixable? and if so what would need to be done and how much will it cost ? Once fixed will it go again?

Sorry for all these questions but I feel that I will get honest straight forward answers from fellow members here. My local dealership don't want to commit to what if's they just keep saying bring it in for a 1000 mile test.

Many many many thanks for all your help inadvance! :)

[Chris Dance]

I cannot answer all your questions but other guys on here will I am sure.

I would be concerned about the excessive oil consumption. There are a lot of "threads" on here dealing with the problem. My sons 53 plate 1.8 engine Avensis has also started to consume oil. He is thinking of changing the car. He does not want the hassle of having oil consumption checks and then have to to get a short engine to fix the problem.

I hope you have a warranty for the car. Toyota dealers are aware of the problem but getting Toyota to pay for a fix maybe a struggle. I hope the short engine solution may be the worst case scenario for you. Please read all the threads dealing with the problem on here.

Let us hope it is not as bad as I have suggested it maybe.

[Steve84]

:D Hello Everyone

I am new here and new to being a Toyota owner. I bought an Avensis 1.8 VVTi T4 03 plate on the 5th April, but not from a Toyota dealership. I would be so grateful if anyone could answer the following questions I have.

1) Which engine is mine ?? The owners manual does not have it listed as a 1.8i VVTi so I am a bit confused.

2) Does my car have a cambelt or chain. If a cambelt when does it reuire changing and if a chain does it just get tightened on a service?

3) On Sunday 6th May I had to put 3lts of oil into my car!! I have covered 1500 miles max since buying the car. I find this excessive and have contacted Toyota and they say take it in for a 1000 mile test ? is this fault fixable? and if so what would need to be done and how much will it cost ? Once fixed will it go again?

Sorry for all these questions but I feel that I will get honest straight forward answers from fellow members here. My local dealership don't want to commit to what if's they just keep saying bring it in for a 1000 mile test.

Many many many thanks for all your help inadvance! :)

The engine in yours is a 1zz-fe 1.8 vvt-i.

The engine uses a timing chain. It needs no maintance. Apart from regular oil changes. Have seen a few yaris's in at work where they have missed a few services and the chain had to be replaced.

The fault is fixable, my dads last avensis needed a short block has did my old corolla. Has long has the car has a full history toyota will change the short block after a 2-3 oil consumption tests.

[albapatriot]

I cannot answer all your questions but other guys on here will I am sure.

I would be concerned about the excessive oil consumption. There are a lot of "threads" on here dealing with the problem. My sons 53 plate 1.8 engine Avensis has also started to consume oil. He is thinking of changing the car. He does not want the hassle of having oil consumption checks and then have to to get a short engine to fix the problem.

I hope you have a warranty for the car. Toyota dealers are aware of the problem but getting Toyota to pay for a fix maybe a struggle. I hope the short engine solution may be the worst case scenario for you. Please read all the threads dealing with the problem on here.

Let us hope it is not as bad as I have suggested it maybe.

Hi Chris

Thnak you for replying. I have the car on finance so selling it is not an option for me unfortunately and it came with a 3 month warranty from the car supermarket I bought it from. I have only had it a mouth! I do believe that I have certain rights under the Consumer Credit Act 1979 etc. As I said in my original post I put 3 ltrs of oil in the car on Sunday morning. I made a note of my milage and I am checking it every day. So far no movent but I have only done 106 miles so will need to do a bit more before it starts to show. I am keeping my fingers crossed that its not the same problem but 3 ltrs of oil is a heck of a lot of oil by any standards. I am not sure whether the short block engine is a total recplacement to the VVTi engine which is in the car now or part of the engine ??

I just feel so deflated and upset about this. I always look after my cars and working in the ambulance service I need a reliable car to get to work etc and thought I was buying peace of mind etc with a Toyota!! I have wanted an Avensis for ages and I was over the moon to get the T4 and colour I wanted. My parents have a 99 V plate Avensis 1.8 GLS Auto Saloon and have owned it from 6 months old and never had a single problem or put a drop of oil in. Its a lovely car to drive, so I thought no problem get a Toyota Avensis. We are all shocked and they have put on hold any plans of buying a new Avensis until my problem is resolved and possibly will look at Honda or Vauxhall for their next new car.

Thank you again for your advice I do appreciate it.

Many Thanks

Hi Steve

Thank you so much for the info on my car engine. Its had full Toyota service and I have the servie book with dealer stamp & milage etc. With the car being 3 years and 9months old and having higher than average mileage will Toyota still replace the Short block engine free of charge for me? I have no Toyota warranty with the car.

Two last questions........what is a short block engine? a new engine or a replacement for the part of the engine affected by this fault. If Toyota refused to do the work for free what would this cost to fix??

Many many thanks for your help :D

:D Hello Everyone

I am new here and new to being a Toyota owner. I bought an Avensis 1.8 VVTi T4 03 plate on the 5th April, but not from a Toyota dealership. I would be so grateful if anyone could answer the following questions I have.

1) Which engine is mine ?? The owners manual does not have it listed as a 1.8i VVTi so I am a bit confused.

2) Does my car have a cambelt or chain. If a cambelt when does it reuire changing and if a chain does it just get tightened on a service?

3) On Sunday 6th May I had to put 3lts of oil into my car!! I have covered 1500 miles max since buying the car. I find this excessive and have contacted Toyota and they say take it in for a 1000 mile test ? is this fault fixable? and if so what would need to be done and how much will it cost ? Once fixed will it go again?

Sorry for all these questions but I feel that I will get honest straight forward answers from fellow members here. My local dealership don't want to commit to what if's they just keep saying bring it in for a 1000 mile test.

Many many many thanks for all your help inadvance! :)

The engine in yours is a 1zz-fe 1.8 vvt-i.

The engine uses a timing chain. It needs no maintance. Apart from regular oil changes. Have seen a few yaris's in at work where they have missed a few services and the chain had to be replaced.

The fault is fixable, my dads last avensis needed a short block has did my old corolla. Has long has the car has a full history toyota will change the short block after a 2-3 oil consumption tests.

[albapatriot]

Hi Steve

Thank you very much for the info on type of engine and timming chain.

My car has full Toyota service history and I have the service book with dealership stamps and millage etc. So if after the 3 oil consumption tests its shows a problem, will Toyota change the short block engine for free? my car is outside the Toyota warranty at 3yrs & 9mths old. Out of interest how much would the Short block engine replacement cost and what exactly is a short block engine?

Many thanks once again for your help

:D Hello Everyone

I am new here and new to being a Toyota owner. I bought an Avensis 1.8 VVTi T4 03 plate on the 5th April, but not from a Toyota dealership. I would be so grateful if anyone could answer the following questions I have.

1) Which engine is mine ?? The owners manual does not have it listed as a 1.8i VVTi so I am a bit confused.

2) Does my car have a cambelt or chain. If a cambelt when does it reuire changing and if a chain does it just get tightened on a service?

3) On Sunday 6th May I had to put 3lts of oil into my car!! I have covered 1500 miles max since buying the car. I find this excessive and have contacted Toyota and they say take it in for a 1000 mile test ? is this fault fixable? and if so what would need to be done and how much will it cost ? Once fixed will it go again?

Sorry for all these questions but I feel that I will get honest straight forward answers from fellow members here. My local dealership don't want to commit to what if's they just keep saying bring it in for a 1000 mile test.

Many many many thanks for all your help inadvance! :)

The engine in yours is a 1zz-fe 1.8 vvt-i.

The engine uses a timing chain. It needs no maintance. Apart from regular oil changes. Have seen a few yaris's in at work where they have missed a few services and the chain had to be replaced.

The fault is fixable, my dads last avensis needed a short block has did my old corolla. Has long has the car has a full history toyota will change the short block after a 2-3 oil consumption tests.

[Steve84]

The short block is just the block, pistons etc. They keep the head and valves off your old engine. Toyota have replaced short blocks out of warrenty. There is a 5 year 100k cover on the engines. This was never made public by toyota and 9/10 the dealers say no such cover is offerd, but it is, i was told by a tech at work who has mates who work at my local toyota dealer. My dad was also told by the service department at my local dealer when his avensis started to use oil, he was coverd by a extened warrenty that toyota placed on these engines. Has mentioned gettin toyota to pay can be hard work but stick out and they will, it took me best part of 8 months and 12k miles to my old car sorted. My dads avensis from him finding it using oil and having 3 oil consumption tests was booked in and sorted within the same month.

Best of luck

[bjw]

I am surprised this problem still exists on the new shape Avensis I thought it just effected the old shape cars !what mileage has your car done ?( it was common for this problem to emerge at around 40,000 miles)

The most important thing is your car has a full Toyota service history and this should give more leverage with Toyota .

People who have had the engine sorted by Toyota usually find it is normally a permanent solution .

If you do run into problems with Toyota there are numerous threads about this on the forum print some off and take to the dealer

[Chris Dance]

albapatriot, Do not be too down hearted the Avensis is a good car it is just the 1.8 engine that gives the problems. I am informed by my local Toyota dealer that my 2 litre Avensis engine has no consumption problems. The advice you have been given by the other guys is good. You have to be persistant with Toyota but if your engine is consuming oil you should in the end get a short block fix. Let us know how things go.

[bgorman]

:D Hello Everyone

I am new here and new to being a Toyota owner. I bought an Avensis 1.8 VVTi T4 03 plate on the 5th April, but not from a Toyota dealership. I would be so grateful if anyone could answer the following questions I have.

1) Which engine is mine ?? The owners manual does not have it listed as a 1.8i VVTi so I am a bit confused.

2) Does my car have a cambelt or chain. If a cambelt when does it reuire changing and if a chain does it just get tightened on a service?

3) On Sunday 6th May I had to put 3lts of oil into my car!! I have covered 1500 miles max since buying the car. I find this excessive and have contacted Toyota and they say take it in for a 1000 mile test ? is this fault fixable? and if so what would need to be done and how much will it cost ? Once fixed will it go again?

Sorry for all these questions but I feel that I will get honest straight forward answers from fellow members here. My local dealership don't want to commit to what if's they just keep saying bring it in for a 1000 mile test.

Many many many thanks for all your help inadvance! :)

Hi, Sadly, the engine in your car only holds 3.7 lts when full, the fact that you had to add 3lts means

that A, The car never had a pre sale service,

B, The loss of 3lts in 1500 mls suggests there is a major problem

C, The fact that the engine was run for any length of time with only 0.7lts in the sump means that it is now destroyed.

The various forums show that the 1.8vvti did have oil consumption probs on some models (mainly Avensis) from1999 to 2003-04, but it does not seem to effect all the engines in this year range.

you should certainly have some comeback on the dealer who sold you the car even if Toyota dont want to get involved, good luck, Bob.

[bjw]

:D Hello Everyone

I am new here and new to being a Toyota owner. I bought an Avensis 1.8 VVTi T4 03 plate on the 5th April, but not from a Toyota dealership. I would be so grateful if anyone could answer the following questions I have.

1) Which engine is mine ?? The owners manual does not have it listed as a 1.8i VVTi so I am a bit confused.

2) Does my car have a cambelt or chain. If a cambelt when does it reuire changing and if a chain does it just get tightened on a service?

3) On Sunday 6th May I had to put 3lts of oil into my car!! I have covered 1500 miles max since buying the car. I find this excessive and have contacted Toyota and they say take it in for a 1000 mile test ? is this fault fixable? and if so what would need to be done and how much will it cost ? Once fixed will it go again?

Sorry for all these questions but I feel that I will get honest straight forward answers from fellow members here. My local dealership don't want to commit to what if's they just keep saying bring it in for a 1000 mile test.

Many many many thanks for all your help inadvance! :)

Hi, Sadly, the engine in your car only holds 3.7 lts when full, the fact that you had to add 3lts means

that A, The car never had a pre sale service,

B, The loss of 3lts in 1500 mls suggests there is a major problem

C, The fact that the engine was run for any length of time with only 0.7lts in the sump means that it is now destroyed.

The various forums show that the 1.8vvti did have oil consumption probs on some models (mainly Avensis) from1999 to 2003-04, but it does not seem to effect all the engines in this year range.

you should certainly have some comeback on the dealer who sold you the car even if Toyota dont want to get involved, good luck, Bob.

I think you are giving a very pessimistic view of things as albapatriot has said the car has a full Toyota service history so in theory if the car was not serviced prior to him buying the car as long as the service intervals were adhered to he should be okay also the loss of oil happened over a 1500 mile period.

If there was a loss of oil and oil pressure would not the oil light come on ???

[bgorman]

:D Hello Everyone

I am new here and new to being a Toyota owner. I bought an Avensis 1.8 VVTi T4 03 plate on the 5th April, but not from a Toyota dealership. I would be so grateful if anyone could answer the following questions I have.

1) Which engine is mine ?? The owners manual does not have it listed as a 1.8i VVTi so I am a bit confused.

2) Does my car have a cambelt or chain. If a cambelt when does it reuire changing and if a chain does it just get tightened on a service?

3) On Sunday 6th May I had to put 3lts of oil into my car!! I have covered 1500 miles max since buying the car. I find this excessive and have contacted Toyota and they say take it in for a 1000 mile test ? is this fault fixable? and if so what would need to be done and how much will it cost ? Once fixed will it go again?

Sorry for all these questions but I feel that I will get honest straight forward answers from fellow members here. My local dealership don't want to commit to what if's they just keep saying bring it in for a 1000 mile test.

Many many many thanks for all your help inadvance! :)

Hi, Sadly, the engine in your car only holds 3.7 lts when full, the fact that you had to add 3lts means

that A, The car never had a pre sale service,

B, The loss of 3lts in 1500 mls suggests there is a major problem

C, The fact that the engine was run for any length of time with only 0.7lts in the sump means that it is now destroyed.

The various forums show that the 1.8vvti did have oil consumption probs on some models (mainly Avensis) from1999 to 2003-04, but it does not seem to effect all the engines in this year range.

you should certainly have some comeback on the dealer who sold you the car even if Toyota dont want to get involved, good luck, Bob.

I think you are giving a very pessimistic view of things as albapatriot has said the car has a full Toyota service history so in theory if the car was not serviced prior to him buying the car as long as the service intervals were adhered to he should be okay also the loss of oil happened over a 1500 mile period.

If there was a loss of oil and oil pressure would not the oil light come on ???

I take your point regarding the service history, and I am sure that Toyota will come to some aggreement eventually, but they will have to be pushed, as so many similar forum topics have shown,

As for the oil light, albapatriot, did not mention if it had come on or not. I suspect that with only0.7 lts in the sump it would have done so during cornering, braking and acceleration?

I still think however, that due to this fact the engine is now scrap.

[albapatriot]

Hi Steve

Thank you for the info on the short block engine. For a female I do pritty well with mechanical stuff but that stumped me !! I will keep the presure up with Toyota to have it changed if after the oil consumption tests prove (and I'm pritty sure they will) that I have this problem! I have an appointment with the garage I bought the car from tomorrow at 9am. Once I have done the tests and have some news to post on this I will.

But thank you so much for the info and advice you have given me :)

Hi Steve

Thank you very much for the info on type of engine and timming chain.

My car has full Toyota service history and I have the service book with dealership stamps and millage etc. So if after the 3 oil consumption tests its shows a problem, will Toyota change the short block engine for free? my car is outside the Toyota warranty at 3yrs & 9mths old. Out of interest how much would the Short block engine replacement cost and what exactly is a short block engine?

Many thanks once again for your help

:D Hello Everyone

I am new here and new to being a Toyota owner. I bought an Avensis 1.8 VVTi T4 03 plate on the 5th April, but not from a Toyota dealership. I would be so grateful if anyone could answer the following questions I have.

1) Which engine is mine ?? The owners manual does not have it listed as a 1.8i VVTi so I am a bit confused.

2) Does my car have a cambelt or chain. If a cambelt when does it reuire changing and if a chain does it just get tightened on a service?

3) On Sunday 6th May I had to put 3lts of oil into my car!! I have covered 1500 miles max since buying the car. I find this excessive and have contacted Toyota and they say take it in for a 1000 mile test ? is this fault fixable? and if so what would need to be done and how much will it cost ? Once fixed will it go again?

Sorry for all these questions but I feel that I will get honest straight forward answers from fellow members here. My local dealership don't want to commit to what if's they just keep saying bring it in for a 1000 mile test.

Many many many thanks for all your help inadvance! :)

The engine in yours is a 1zz-fe 1.8 vvt-i.

The engine uses a timing chain. It needs no maintance. Apart from regular oil changes. Have seen a few yaris's in at work where they have missed a few services and the chain had to be replaced.

The fault is fixable, my dads last avensis needed a short block has did my old corolla. Has long has the car has a full history toyota will change the short block after a 2-3 oil consumption tests.

[albapatriot]

Hi

Well my car was reg Aug 2003 and I susspect that I have this oil consumption problem. I base this on the information and advice other members here have kindly given me and lets face how can a car not have a problem when it takes 3 lts of oil to fill it up?? I have done 1500 miles from when I bought the car in April but the mileage the car has done is 57428. It has always and only ever been serviced by Toyota and never missed a service.

I am hoping that the fact its a known problem and others have had their cars fixed, the fact that my car has full Toyota service history coupled with the good old consumer credit act 1979 (as I have owned the car less than 6 months) will all eventually lead to a satisfactory resolution....ie) I get my car fixed! :)

Thank you for your advice

I am surprised this problem still exists on the new shape Avensis I thought it just effected the old shape cars !what mileage has your car done ?( it was common for this problem to emerge at around 40,000 miles)

The most important thing is your car has a full Toyota service history and this should give more leverage with Toyota .

People who have had the engine sorted by Toyota usually find it is normally a permanent solution .

If you do run into problems with Toyota there are numerous threads about this on the forum print some off and take to the dealer

Thanks Chris

I don't mean to be so down about this problem but I have so looked forward to getting my car and now this. I do still love the car and I feel a lot better knowing it can be fixed. I also still believe in Toyota and once this is fixed it will become a distant memory and I can't see it stopping me from buying another in the future.... but it will probably be a diesel next time! I will certain remain consistant and very persistant with Toyota over this and will post the results as soon as it happens.

Thank you again for your kind help

albapatriot, Do not be too down hearted the Avensis is a good car it is just the 1.8 engine that gives the problems. I am informed by my local Toyota dealer that my 2 litre Avensis engine has no consumption problems. The advice you have been given by the other guys is good. You have to be persistant with Toyota but if your engine is consuming oil you should in the end get a short block fix. Let us know how things go.

[albapatriot]

Hi bjw & bgorman

Thank you to you both for your assistance with this problem. My Avensis has covered 57428 miles. I bought it in April and have covered 1500 miles. I checked the oil when I bought the car and it was 3/4 full. I checked it the weekend of 26th April and it was 3/4 full. I was driving to work Sunday morning and the oil flickerd on bends and as I braked to stop at traffic lights / junctions etc. In total it flickered approximately 6 times. I checked the oil straight away and discovered that there was none on the dip stick and put oil in straight away.....3 lts of it!! I have had no other warning lights come on, all other fluids / coolants etc are ok and the car is driving no differently than before I discovered this problem. I have checked my oil every day since and this week having covered 140 miles its not moved at all but I am aware that I need to do the 1000 mile consumption test first because it doesn't usually show much before 600 miles. I have been told by my Dad that his mechanic that most new BMW's have to top up their oil every 800 miles!! he also said that it affects a lot of manufactures, makes and modles of cars.

I am booked into the garage at 9am in the morning to start the investigation into this problem. At some juncture in the future I hope it will be suitably rectified with the problem fixed. I understand that it is likely to be a long slog though!

Many thanks for all your help

[Chris Dance]

Let us hope it gets sorted for you quickly. I only suspect but I think the previous owner had this oil consumption problem. Perhaps try to contact them to see. The BMW oil consumption has no bearing on your Toyota engine problem. Stick at it all the rights on your side. Be firm in your dealings with any garage.

[silverarrow]

ask toyota to check the vin number they have a record of the known faulty batch.

ask the other owner if oil consumption problem ??

it may have been reported and stored on mr t computer??

speak to trading standards

[Caleguy]

Would I be correct in thinking that the current 1.8 engine is not affected by this problem?

TIA.

[cipi_v]

hello i'm new here. i have a question: are there any secret codes for the avensis like to turn the buzzer from the seatbelt off and other things

i'm from romania and i have a 2.0 d4d 126 bp

[bjw]

hello i'm new here. i have a question: are there any secret codes for the avensis like to turn the buzzer from the seatbelt off and other things

i'm from romania and i have a 2.0 d4d 126 bp

You would be better starting your own thread up as the post will get more replies.

If you look at this thread it gives instructions on how to turn off the sound

http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.p...belt+buzzer+off