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So I picked up my new (second hand) 2000 Prado Last week. Only 152,000 on the clock; body, paint, interior all in quite good condition, drives and handles extremely well ... but there's a problem :evil: .
As part of the trade in deal, noting that a full service history wasn't available, I asked that the vehicle have a major service and the timing belt be replaced prior to any contract being signed. Luckily enough the water and power steering pump required replacing which was done (obviously saving me a few dollars) but it would appear that the work uncovered a greater problem.
I drove the car form the dealership to my home, a total of about 20kms, parked in the front yard and installed the baby seat. Started the engine again and a cloud of smoke, big enough that I could have snuk the vehicle out of the street under it's elusive cover without anyone knowing, billowed out the exhaust. Needless to say it went straight back.
Now apparently being over 10 years from the build date they are not bound by any warranty on the vehicle. They got their mechanic to look at it and noting some clogged valves, which they cleaned, checked the air intake .. blah blah blah ... thought they'd fixed it. I went in to pick up the vehicle and they said, 'good news, all fixed'. They started her up and I tell you this much ... I could have run around the workshop and bitch slapped everyone in the room and they wouldn't have seen it coming!
They contacted the local Toyota mechanic and he told them there is a fairly common issue with clugged drain points, possible worn valve stem seals, possible worn rings .. and the list goes on.
I have been given the option of a $2,000 reco engine replacement .. or .. having the existing engine stripped and bored, rings, bearings etc replaced costing about $3,100 of which I'd have to chip in $1,000. Considering the engine seems to run smooth and has no loss of power, no noise .. basically a great motor apart from the smoke .. I have opted for the later option. I figure long term I can trust the engine more then a $2k reco. Oh, this is the 3.4ltr petrol too.
So, A slight set back but hopefully for the better long term.
The Moral? Well, suggestions have been made that the vehicle was 'laced' by the previous owner prior to trade in. They possibly filled it full of the good ol' Wynns Stop Smoke prior to sale. Had I not asked that the vehicle have a sevice prior to sale, the oil wouldn't have been changed and the signs/symptoms of a failing engine (or whatever the problem actually is) would not have been apparent till too late when the full cost of repair would have landed squarely on me.
Sorry to bore you if you read this far, but a lesson is a lesson and if someone can learn from my F*#K up then great!
As part of the trade in deal, noting that a full service history wasn't available, I asked that the vehicle have a major service and the timing belt be replaced prior to any contract being signed. Luckily enough the water and power steering pump required replacing which was done (obviously saving me a few dollars) but it would appear that the work uncovered a greater problem.
I drove the car form the dealership to my home, a total of about 20kms, parked in the front yard and installed the baby seat. Started the engine again and a cloud of smoke, big enough that I could have snuk the vehicle out of the street under it's elusive cover without anyone knowing, billowed out the exhaust. Needless to say it went straight back.
Now apparently being over 10 years from the build date they are not bound by any warranty on the vehicle. They got their mechanic to look at it and noting some clogged valves, which they cleaned, checked the air intake .. blah blah blah ... thought they'd fixed it. I went in to pick up the vehicle and they said, 'good news, all fixed'. They started her up and I tell you this much ... I could have run around the workshop and bitch slapped everyone in the room and they wouldn't have seen it coming!
They contacted the local Toyota mechanic and he told them there is a fairly common issue with clugged drain points, possible worn valve stem seals, possible worn rings .. and the list goes on.
I have been given the option of a $2,000 reco engine replacement .. or .. having the existing engine stripped and bored, rings, bearings etc replaced costing about $3,100 of which I'd have to chip in $1,000. Considering the engine seems to run smooth and has no loss of power, no noise .. basically a great motor apart from the smoke .. I have opted for the later option. I figure long term I can trust the engine more then a $2k reco. Oh, this is the 3.4ltr petrol too.
So, A slight set back but hopefully for the better long term.
The Moral? Well, suggestions have been made that the vehicle was 'laced' by the previous owner prior to trade in. They possibly filled it full of the good ol' Wynns Stop Smoke prior to sale. Had I not asked that the vehicle have a sevice prior to sale, the oil wouldn't have been changed and the signs/symptoms of a failing engine (or whatever the problem actually is) would not have been apparent till too late when the full cost of repair would have landed squarely on me.
Sorry to bore you if you read this far, but a lesson is a lesson and if someone can learn from my F*#K up then great!
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