Hi Guys, New to Prado Point first post.
I thought I would share my story on the dreaded D4D Diesel Rattle.
Unfortunately I got stung by this issue, Fortunately it wasn't a massive problem for me.
Recently I started to look for a 120 Prado mainly petrol as I don't do massive kms or towing, but I came across a 2008 D4D Grande which caught my interest.
Then started the research and I came across this website.
I said I would get the car inspected prior to purchase, I booked it in to a Toyota dealer for the inspection, I prepared a list of things to check, mainly from this website! Check Injector Ranges, smoke , engine rattle etc etc. Toyota gave me the all clear and said all injectors were in range 1.0, there were no previous fault codes and said it was very well maintained for the kms 250,000.
As the car was rural and I had not seen it yet I decided to put a deposit and made the trip to pick up the car 4hrs away.
I said to the owner, a condition of the sale is the car is NOT to be started in the morning. He agreed and promised me there's nothing to worry about and its a good serviced car.
I arrived extra early at the sellers house 7am to ensure the car hadn't been started and TRUSTED the owner stuck to his words. Car started fine no smoke, happy days handed over the cash full of confidence the car has no issues along with my Toyota report giving it the all clear.
Drove straight home 400kms parked the car and did not touch it till the next morning.
Now the surprise, start the car and out comes the smoke, not normal, heaps, for a good 1-2min. This is when my heart dropped and realise the very thing I was trying to avoid from buying I have now inherited, NOT HAPPY especially after forking out decent $$$.
I didn't call the owner yet as it was a Sunday and said I would take it to my mechanic first as I wanted to remove the oil pan and check the pick up.
Monday morning drop it off to the mechanic (again smoke in morning) , he confirms the oil pickup is 70% blocked.
I was pissed, so I called the owner and explained the issue, he swears it never smoked a day in its life since he owned it from new. But I know this is bullcrap as this doesn't really happen overnight. He refused to accept responsibility and unfortunately for me no warranty.
Rule no 1, don't trust anyone. I should of popped the bonnet and physically touched the engine to check it was cold. The seller being a rural farmer, I thought these are the guys probably most trust worthy in the Aus therefore I took his word for it.
Now the problem, after many phone calls and quotes I was left devastated knowing I was up for around $3,000 and even maybe the prospect of engine damage if the issue had been around for a long time.
After many calls and research I was advised to go see JC Diesel in Narellan. I was told he was very honest and a top diesel mechanic. Even when I called him and spoke to him about the problem he put my heart at ease and said there could be a possibility it might be only the seats & seals. Unlike other businesses who said its your injectors and I'm up for the big $$$.
I drop it off to JC Diesel Tuesday, he calls me Wednesday morning to give me the good news, Injectors are perfectly fine, and only injector No.1 seat/seals are gone. The same day he replaced all injector seats and seals and charged me $600, what a relief.
Three weeks later and the car is running like a dream, very happy with the service of JC Diesel and his honesty. Unfortunately some mechanics can easily take advantage of people in this situation and charge the full job of replacing injectors. But Cameron at JC Diesel is a professional and honest mechanic only done what needed to be done.
After my experience I highly recommend anyone looking at buying a D4D to ensure the car is checked at COLD start up. Ensure this buy feeling the engine and making sure it was not started prior and not get fooled like me. After reading many posts the cold start up smoke is a major sign. I don't even see the slightest bit of smoke now even at 4am in the morning since its been fixed.
I hope my experience can help others when purchasing their D4D.
Now my next issue, tail shaft clunk......hahaha
I thought I would share my story on the dreaded D4D Diesel Rattle.
Unfortunately I got stung by this issue, Fortunately it wasn't a massive problem for me.
Recently I started to look for a 120 Prado mainly petrol as I don't do massive kms or towing, but I came across a 2008 D4D Grande which caught my interest.
Then started the research and I came across this website.
I said I would get the car inspected prior to purchase, I booked it in to a Toyota dealer for the inspection, I prepared a list of things to check, mainly from this website! Check Injector Ranges, smoke , engine rattle etc etc. Toyota gave me the all clear and said all injectors were in range 1.0, there were no previous fault codes and said it was very well maintained for the kms 250,000.
As the car was rural and I had not seen it yet I decided to put a deposit and made the trip to pick up the car 4hrs away.
I said to the owner, a condition of the sale is the car is NOT to be started in the morning. He agreed and promised me there's nothing to worry about and its a good serviced car.
I arrived extra early at the sellers house 7am to ensure the car hadn't been started and TRUSTED the owner stuck to his words. Car started fine no smoke, happy days handed over the cash full of confidence the car has no issues along with my Toyota report giving it the all clear.
Drove straight home 400kms parked the car and did not touch it till the next morning.
Now the surprise, start the car and out comes the smoke, not normal, heaps, for a good 1-2min. This is when my heart dropped and realise the very thing I was trying to avoid from buying I have now inherited, NOT HAPPY especially after forking out decent $$$.
I didn't call the owner yet as it was a Sunday and said I would take it to my mechanic first as I wanted to remove the oil pan and check the pick up.
Monday morning drop it off to the mechanic (again smoke in morning) , he confirms the oil pickup is 70% blocked.
I was pissed, so I called the owner and explained the issue, he swears it never smoked a day in its life since he owned it from new. But I know this is bullcrap as this doesn't really happen overnight. He refused to accept responsibility and unfortunately for me no warranty.
Rule no 1, don't trust anyone. I should of popped the bonnet and physically touched the engine to check it was cold. The seller being a rural farmer, I thought these are the guys probably most trust worthy in the Aus therefore I took his word for it.
Now the problem, after many phone calls and quotes I was left devastated knowing I was up for around $3,000 and even maybe the prospect of engine damage if the issue had been around for a long time.
After many calls and research I was advised to go see JC Diesel in Narellan. I was told he was very honest and a top diesel mechanic. Even when I called him and spoke to him about the problem he put my heart at ease and said there could be a possibility it might be only the seats & seals. Unlike other businesses who said its your injectors and I'm up for the big $$$.
I drop it off to JC Diesel Tuesday, he calls me Wednesday morning to give me the good news, Injectors are perfectly fine, and only injector No.1 seat/seals are gone. The same day he replaced all injector seats and seals and charged me $600, what a relief.
Three weeks later and the car is running like a dream, very happy with the service of JC Diesel and his honesty. Unfortunately some mechanics can easily take advantage of people in this situation and charge the full job of replacing injectors. But Cameron at JC Diesel is a professional and honest mechanic only done what needed to be done.
After my experience I highly recommend anyone looking at buying a D4D to ensure the car is checked at COLD start up. Ensure this buy feeling the engine and making sure it was not started prior and not get fooled like me. After reading many posts the cold start up smoke is a major sign. I don't even see the slightest bit of smoke now even at 4am in the morning since its been fixed.
I hope my experience can help others when purchasing their D4D.
Now my next issue, tail shaft clunk......hahaha
Comment