Found this site while searching for a place to buy a new MPV. We currently own a 1990 Townace which is sitting in our drive with a second blown engine in 7 months! Granted, the first started with a leaky rad, which our *former* mechanic didn't catch. But this time it started overheating for no obvious reason. Thought we had and airlock, flushed it, got on the motorway a few days later, and it blew.

We love the space in the vehicle, but it's been expensive to keep running smoothly. With the money it would take to prepare this van for the Irish version of the MOT, we've decided to go for a newer van. However, if this is a common problem, perhaps the Townace isn't for us anymore. Any suggestions would be helpful, and any info on places near Dublin or Co. Down that sell MPVs. Thanks

- (#3265) Laura O'Brien, 8 Jun 02

Common, unfortunately. But we have found that many of the problems stem from the radiator cap, or some other tiny leak in the cooling system.
Dealers? Plenty in Dublin. Try on the East Wall Road, there's another at the Red Cow. There's one just at the border at Ravensdale, then in Down, try L&R in Banbridge or Grahams of Saintfield.

- (#3268) david miller, 8 Jun 02

Laura. My view is that, for the money, the Townace/Masterace is an excellent vehicle and, compared to the specification of the more "ordinary" MPV's,it is way ahead. In fact, to obtain another comparable vehicle, as fully equipped as the Townace, you would probably have to pay up to three times as much. I know examples of the very high costs involved when things go wrong with, say, Espaces, Galaxys,
Serenas etc so, irritations and high maintenance costs, are not reserved for our type of vehicle. My view is that the low initial price (of Townaces) does give the owner some advantage when having to spend out on repairs.
Having said that, I don't think that the Townace is an ideal vehicle for the faint hearted and, they do require more owner involvment than many other vehicles. The name "Townace" indicates what Toyota were aiming at with the original design and it is a vehicle which is not intended to be used for prolonged high speed, or constant motorway use, unless the owner understands it's limitations and treats it with care.
As a very satisfied owner of a Masterace, who has spent a bit of money and much time in putting things right, my advice, to any prospective purchaser, would be to get the engine and cooling system thoroughly checked by a mechanic who is REALLY conversant with this type of vehicle. The cooling system, or rather it's neglect , is the Achillies Heel of the Townace and, provided that this receives knowledgeable attention, and regular checking, the vehicle can provide very reliable and spacious transport. Once the engine has overheated, the alumininum head really suffers and the, sometimes, 10 years old head gaskets cannot maintain the integrity of the cooling system and all sorts of problems result.
If buying from a dealer, INSIST on an engine & cooling system report and, if needed, be prepared to pay a bit extra to have the cylinder head removed, new bolts and gaskets, new thermostat, radiator check/repair and you will be a long way down the road to having a reliable vehicle.
If you buy privately, and there is no evidence of these essential checks/repairs being done, walk away.
I sympathise with the difficulties you have had and, yes, head gasket problems ARE common but, it is unfortunate that your "mechanic" was not able to indentify what was, I think, a minor problem which turned into a major one. My view is that the "common" gasket problem is brought about, more by neglect than faulty design. Also, your diagnosis of an "air lock" should have been a bit more thorough prior to your motorway trip. Air locks, in the cooling system, are not common and I think that this was the start of coolant loss at the cylinder head or with one of the hoses.

- (#3270) John Davis, 8 Jun 02

Thanks, David and John, for your advice. I still really want to go with a Townace, but as both my husband and I are "mechanically challenged", we will have to depend on finding a good mechanic. Japarts near Dublin recommended ordering directly from Japan. Any thoughts on that?

The "air lock" diagnosis was given by a new-to-us mechanic, who couldn't find any other explanation for why the van was overheating. After flushing the system, it stopped, so he concluded the air lock. He hasn't seen the vehicle since the last episode, but supposes that the system was weakened from the overheating the previous week, and under the stress of motorway driving, just blew. (And we do usually just drive around Dublin). Another mechanic came to the house and tried to start it, and said something about only 2 cylinders turning over, which I take it means the engine is beyond hope of repair.

We had hoped to buy something privately, but I think we better fork out a bit more for a dealer van, where we can be reasonably assured of its fitness.

David, you mentioned dealers by East Wall, and Red Cow. Any specific names?

Thanks for your help.

- (#3272) Laura O'Brien, 8 Jun 02

Not off the top of my head- I'm in Newtownards, co Down, but in Dublin on business quite regularly. I've seen the signs, but don't ask me to remember the names...

- (#3276) david miller, 8 Jun 02

Laura, We had a problem with our Master Ace Surf (Turbo Diesel Auto) shortly after we purchased it, when the engine overheated on a long journey. I eventually traced the initial fault to a tiny leak in the radiator, which overheated the engine, which blew the head gasket. The radiator was re-cored, and the radiator people commented that most of the radiator was blocked up with silt. 'We have had to re-core quite a few of these due to silting up' I was told, so it might be worthwile getting your one checked out. I had the cylinder head skimmed (it had warped slightly) and the vehicle has not lost a drop of water for about 3 years now.
I also found another 'fault' during my investigation, the radiator overflow bottle had the pipes reversed on the cap, eccouraging the expanded coolant to syphon out...again worth checking out on your vehicle.
I suspect that in Japan they don't use antifreeze or corrosion inhibitor, thus promoting this sort of problem. Good luck with your next engine!

- (#3286) Martin Jordan, 9 Jun 02