New Engine Needed

[Steve-martin]

Hello, I was driving along the M62 the other week, one day before I was due to go on Holiday, well anyway my car is a 1.8 Avensis Tourer 03 new shape, the mileage is 75,515, full main dealer service history , serviced every 10k.

I was driving along at about 75mph and as I slowed for the roundabout coming off th motorway heard a funny rattling sound, only faint at first, I live only 3/4 mile from this point so I drove home slowly, once got home I phoned Toyota telling them of the problem, they told me it does not sound very good and if I could get a wagon to get me there would be better, I said all I could do is drive slowly to them.

After a half hour wait they came out and said it is bad news, the engine is finished, after looking at my service history he said he was very surprised at the engine, he said it was totally dry of oil. and the previous service was only 9 thousand miles gone.

Well I was going to Canada the following day so could do nothing with it at that point, but said I would keep in touch.

I phoned from Canada the next day, the service manager told me Toyota UK has authorised a full stripdown of my engine to determine the cause of the problem, he said the bill would be in the region of £3.5K for the new engine to be fitted by Toyota, but it was a good sign theyare paying for the stripdown.

I decided to leave phoning for a while as I did not want bad news on holiday, I phone the the day I was leaving Canada and was told the car has been fixed, serviced, valeted and toyota paid in full for the work. I picked up the car today and it is great .

But now my confidence is shot with this car, I would stick with Toyota as all was put right , but I am now thinking of part x for newer one.

Cheers

Steve :D

[Luke-v]

I know how you feel, I have lost all faith in a particular car following a mechanical failure, even when it has been repaired.

If I was in your position (which I'm obviously not) I'd keep it and see if your faith returns after a few months and hold off making any rash decisions until then.

It sounds like the work has been done willingly rather than grudgingly, and that would put my mind at rest to a degree.

As it was a total engine failure it should be fairly easy to see if the problem is fixed or not. It's not like a random electrical issue that might just not manifest when they had it and is unresolved.

Sorry to hear about the aggro you've had, but it sounds like Toyota have acted superbly in this case.

[bjw]

Hello, I was driving along the M62 the other week, one day before I was due to go on Holiday, well anyway my car is a 1.8 Avensis Tourer 03 new shape, the mileage is 75,515, full main dealer service history , serviced every 10k.

I was driving along at about 75mph and as I slowed for the roundabout coming off th motorway heard a funny rattling sound, only faint at first, I live only 3/4 mile from this point so I drove home slowly, once got home I phoned Toyota telling them of the problem, they told me it does not sound very good and if I could get a wagon to get me there would be better, I said all I could do is drive slowly to them.

After a half hour wait they came out and said it is bad news, the engine is finished, after looking at my service history he said he was very surprised at the engine, he said it was totally dry of oil. and the previous service was only 9 thousand miles gone.

Well I was going to Canada the following day so could do nothing with it at that point, but said I would keep in touch.

I phoned from Canada the next day, the service manager told me Toyota UK has authorised a full stripdown of my engine to determine the cause of the problem, he said the bill would be in the region of £3.5K for the new engine to be fitted by Toyota, but it was a good sign theyare paying for the stripdown.

I decided to leave phoning for a while as I did not want bad news on holiday, I phone the the day I was leaving Canada and was told the car has been fixed, serviced, valeted and toyota paid in full for the work. I picked up the car today and it is great .

But now my confidence is shot with this car, I would stick with Toyota as all was put right , but I am now thinking of part x for newer one.

Cheers

Steve :D

Well done Toyota that is what I call excellent customer service !as the car was over 3 years old they had no responsibility to authorise a repair.

Did you ever find out what had caused the problem and what they did to repair the car

[Steve-martin]

The engine had no oil, yet there was no sign of any leak, so it was consuming oil somehow, but there was no smoking or any signs it was a burner, I asked the service people was this uncommon, and he said they have had a few go like this, not many but they have had it happen, he did say Toyota UK must be aware of a problem to a degree for them to be willing to repair it, out of warranty.

Mind you with the service history this car has, I do think a legal battle would have been short and to noisy for them.

But as Luke V has said maybe I should relax knowing it now has a new engine.

I bought the car from the Main Dealer at 9 months old.

Faulty Back light clusters

Faulty headlights

Total Engine Failure

is that a lot of problems or is it a little, considering Toyota's legendary reliability image ?

Steve

[bjw]

The engine had no oil, yet there was no sign of any leak, so it was consuming oil somehow, but there was no smoking or any signs it was a burner, I asked the service people was this uncommon, and he said they have had a few go like this, not many but they have had it happen, he did say Toyota UK must be aware of a problem to a degree for them to be willing to repair it, out of warranty.

Mind you with the service history this car has, I do think a legal battle would have been short and to noisy for them.

But as Luke V has said maybe I should relax knowing it now has a new engine.

I bought the car from the Main Dealer at 9 months old.

Faulty Back light clusters

Faulty headlights

Total Engine Failure

is that a lot of problems or is it a little, considering Toyota's legendary reliability image ?

Steve

There had been known oil burning problems regarding earlier (2001-2003 older shape petrol Avensis ) I was not aware it effects the new shape and the headlights have had problems with the bulb holders melting also the steering racks have had issues and rear tailgate struts are known to become stiff

[Ed_Shek]

Nice of Toyota to repair your car out of warranty.

Think I'll switch to another manufacturer after my T-Sport Corolla but its been pretty good so far after 5 years. No faults so far other than usual wear and tear items such as brake pads and discs.

I do believe that modern toyotas aren't as good and reliable as they once were.

[T V O R]

the engine is finished, after looking at my service history he said he was very surprised at the engine, he said it was totally dry of oil. and the previous service was only 9 thousand miles gone.

How often did you check your engine oil? Weekly, monthly, yearly, never? It hasn’t just disappeared overnight has it?

Why change your car now? You could buy another car and have exactly the same issues. At least you know you have a new engine in yours which will last as long as you keep it (as long as you do your regular fluid checks)

[Steve-martin]

I will be honest , I did not check it often enough, but that is why we buy modern cars , and that is why I have them serviced regularly,

[T V O R]

I will be honest , I did not check it often enough, but that is why we buy modern cars , and that is why I have them serviced regularly,

Disagree!

A new car doesn’t absolve you of your responsibility to maintain it. Cars are lucky if they are serviced every 12 months.

Checking fluid levels (engine oil brake fluid coolant etc) and tyre pressures should be a regular occurrence (weekly according to the Highway Code)

It’s your job as a qualified driver!

[Steve-martin]

The Highway code was written when cars had crossply tyres, drum brakes, no seatbelts, no ABS, no power steering, no airbags, no traction control, etc.

Maybe you should ask how often my car is serviced ! well its about every six months, I do check my tyres often, my washer bottle filled when needed, and I keep an eye on other fluids also, but Toyota knew they had to fix it, PS if I wanted a lecture I would ask my wife for one!

[igormus]

Hi STeve-Martin

This is the worst alert for me because I own the same with 1.8 VVT-i (2003). I have faced to the oil cunsumption point since January 2007 at milage of 76k. I could not believe it and can't now taking into account the brand name. But it has happened also with mine. I normaly check deestick each day after have arrived from office. It is clear vissible that when I drive at 60-70 km/h no any oil consumption is vissible, but when I drive at arround 90-100 km/h then the engine consume oil. My lastest drive has shown me I have to add 200 ml (!!!). I am saved thanks to I check with oil level each day and do not allow the engine to get me surprised (joke ) :D .

My case is that the car has been purchased as 2nd hand. I could not catch why she is being sold???? But after have changed catalizer + this oil problem -- I properly understand it. I can not count an engine repair at Toyota cost because this car was sold from non-official dealer. That is my story. Good luck with new engine and keep checking oil level often enough --- it is my advise to you/ best wishes/Igor

[T600]

The Highway code was written when cars had crossply tyres, drum brakes, no seatbelts, no ABS, no power steering, no airbags, no traction control, etc.

It has been re-writtten since then; most recently this year.

But I don't believe it offers any specific advice on oil levels, apart from saying you should check fluids weekly.

I think you're right to expect that the engine oil shouldn't fall that quickly, and in any case I'd expect a warning light long before the levels reached a critical stage.

It's good advice to check fluids, including engine oil, on a regular basis though.

[Steve-martin]

Yes , I admit in hindsight I should have , but as you mentioned warning lights, there was none. I will monitor it well now.

[Black Knight]

Just because an engine is durable doesn't mean something can go wrong. I've seen road debris knock chunks out of radiators causing them to leak and people trying to park on very uneven ground puncture the sump. Both of which will kill an engine very quickly if not detected.

The recommendation is there to try and make you as safe on the road as possible by having known good tyres, and fluid levels.

That said modern cars are generally well built and seldom break down compared 15~20 years ago. The modern generation of driver has grown up without needing to do these checks frequently therefore they don't. I don't check mine as often as I should (probably every fortnight) but I was taught to do it every sunday morning by my dad who had that properly drilled into him. Sign of the times I guess

[bjw]

I will be honest , I did not check it often enough, but that is why we buy modern cars , and that is why I have them serviced regularly,

Disagree!

A new car doesn’t absolve you of your responsibility to maintain it. Cars are lucky if they are serviced every 12 months.

Checking fluid levels (engine oil brake fluid coolant etc) and tyre pressures should be a regular occurrence (weekly according to the Highway Code)

It’s your job as a qualified driver!

I thought your comments towards Steve Martin were a bit harsh it sounded like you were giving him a lecture, I am sure you did not mean it to sound like that.

As far as checking the oil of course you should but I must say that in 14 years of Toyota ownership the only time I have had to put oil in the car between services was when it fell foul of the oil burning issue on the old shape Avensis

[T V O R]

Let’s wrap everyone up in Cotton Wool...

[Steve-martin]

Thanks BJW

True , that is the way it was Years ago part of motoring was knowing how to change points, setting plugs, doing oil changes, etc.

but those are times gone by, nowadays people tend to be running around busy at weekends, as for me I work seven days a week so time is precious.

That is why I bought a Toyota in the first place, reliability.

As for the cotton wool jibe, whatever. If toyota thought it was my fault for not checking the oil do you think they would have coughed up ?

[bjw]

Let’s wrap everyone up in Cotton Wool...

Looking at the photo perhaps it was a lecture :D

PS

The four stages of life

very true

[AndyHowarth]

Mr Toyota Told Me Today There was an Extended Warranty on these engines even though i bought mine second hand he said keep checking oil, and get back to him if it was drinkin too much and they would put a Brand new engine in for FREE.

Now thats toyota for you Good honest advise.

ps i didnt even know about the problem until i went for a new key today.

[silverarrow]

:o toyota know all to well about the high oil consumption and it is to do with low sulphur in petrol and also the poor design hence why the engines are changed under warranty and the hush hush 100 k and 5 yrs warranty.

the main problem is the new blocks ie new shape 03 on are having the same problem and will show up at approx 80 k.

UMM not good for MR T :(

[marty32]

hi all

am a new subscriber to this, and have read the comments with intrest. i have an 04 t sport corolla which has just gone past 3 years old. bought from mr toyota local with a years toyota warranty.

i am facing the problems of oil burning at 36000miles. i have spoken to Toyota dealer who say that they cant authorise an engine replacement. they want 500 quid just to strip and examine and to repair 3000 quid. in my opinion this begs the question why provide a warranty. apparantly oil consumptuion is not classed as mechanical failure even if it knacks the engine. now to me anything to do with the engine block is mechanical

apparantly there is a range of engines that this problem exists in. if your within that range u get a new engine....if not then tough. makes me wonder how toyota do so well in all these surveys

a word of advice to anyone with an issue is speak to toyota customer relations, and also get an opinion from more than 1 toyota dealer..... ive gone for a 2nd opinion the other dealer says no problem it will be sorted

[Steve-martin]

The Dealership that replaced my engine was RRG group and it was the Bolton branch. They were great., under warranty I have had two new headlights, new gas tailgate struts, stearing recall done, corrosion on rear wheel hub taken care of, New engine of course, new rear light clusters.

Funny thing is I always say not had any probs with that car , but looking at it like that , it does seem a lot.