I am hoping to purchase a Townie soon. I have read this site many times and obviously have concerns over the overheating probs. I know people only e-mail with these woes, but just out of interest, and for the record (and confidence) what is the longest someone has owned a Townie and not had to have major engine work carried out (due to overheating)?

- (#10575) Marcus Rogers, 9 Sep 03 16:42

Rob D, you out there???

- (#10576) david miller, 10 Sep 03 1:06

Two and a half years in my case with my 2C-T engined Masterace but, at the start, I did go right through the cooling system, new head gasket, head skim, pressure test, much attention to the rad cap, thermostat, and suction & discharge hoses to the expansion tank. Also, high quality coolant/inhibitor all year round, a more sensitive temperature gauge (Durite),and a new viscous coupling to be on the safe side and, all this with the undoubted help of this splendid forum. I flush the system fairly regularly and re-fill very slowly to avoid trapped air. All this trouble, and some expense, has paid off in my case but, I always use the vehicle sedately. If I do 60 mph I think I'm flying as I don't think these vehicles were ever designed for the motorway, long, high speed hauls which, sometimes are mentioned here. And, here's another "bee in my bonnet". I don't think that owners are as concientious over their level checks as they might be. It is a bit of a drag to fiddle about with the seats, and lift the engine cover etc, and I feel that this is not done often enough and, sometimes it is too late and the "bannana head" syndrome sets in with lightening speed.
My advice Marcus is, if you do buy the Townace, you will have a very satisfying, slightly underpowered, but VERY interesting vehicle, with features which you would have to pay three times as much for in other, lesser MPV's. Some thorough checking, and, initially, some money spent on the cooling system and engine generally, will pay dividends in the long run but, in my opinion, if you want a "motorway blaster", don't buy a Townace.

- (#10577) John Davis, 10 Sep 03 2:37

We have had our townie for 15 months now with absolutely NO engine related problems. Temp is fine only had to top up the coolent twice in that time, although both times was no where near problematic levels(I check both oil and water fortnightly). Starts first time every time, A/C works perfectly, used cool box to make ICE, keep cold drinks cold and the odd take away hot(not at the same time I hasten to add), had the seats in every possible position. The kids never know from one day to the next whether I've been out "messing with the seats" as they put it.

I find this to be the best MPV I have ever had the pleasure of travelling in with me, the wife and the six kids. I wouldn't swap it for a more expensive newer MPV. You just don't get the kind of character in any other vehicle.

Fortunately(for all other drivers) I don't drive, and this is the wife's vehicle(she loves it just as much) she is a more sedate driver, just as well really as I have a very short fuse and get terrible road rage, even as a passenger. I consider that there are enough morons on the road without me adding to them!

Anyway as John stated, perfect large family vehicle for those that don't want to race around, but want leisurely travel in a vehicle with character. A lot depends on where and how you get the vehicle, when buying make sure you get an independent check on the vehicle and take it on a lengthy test drive with varying driving conditions so you know what you are getting.

Good luck with your decision.

Tony

- (#10578) Tony, 10 Sep 03 2:59

Yes Dave I'm out here!!
We've had ours just on two years now, I did make sure I selected a goodun' anyway, long test drive & run down the motorway before I parted with the cash. I have since flushed, back flushed & flushed again the entire cooling system, fitted an electric fan on the vertical radiator, removed viscous fan, run the vehicle on 50/50 mix of summer coolant/antifreeze & DISTILLED water. Other than that no other major mods to cooling. Never had a problem with climbing temp gauge, just sits two 'blibs' below the centre all the time. APART from over the weekend of the 6th August, when we were coming back down the M6 from our holiday, hottest day in UK ever (38? degrees) fully laden, 6 people on board, both air cons running flat out all up weight must have been over 2 1/2 tonnes, when it started to go over the middle of the gauge every time we came to a hill. Simple cure, turn off A/c, open the windows & she cooled down again. I think that the cooling system is a bit on the edge anyway, but exceptional temperatures like that just prevent any cool air going through rad, hence slight increase in temp. But other than that episode, she's been absolutely great. Now where's that piece of wood I need to touch having just said that?

Regards Rob.

- (#10579) Rob Drinkwater, 10 Sep 03 10:39

15 months, no problems, no special precautions. 3CT townace (ie 2.2 litre turbo diesel 8 seater).

Terrific family vehicle. The children like to sit facing one another for short trips, but facing all forward for long ones. If you don't race it around, but stick to say 75 on motorways and 65 elsewhere, it's as good as gold. One wish? - to get better than the 27mpg (not quite 10km per litre) fuel consumption. Dream on ...

- (#10580) Tony, 10 Sep 03 11:46

Also 15 months with no problems. I haven't had any coolant loss whatsoever. I am getting ready to flush the cooling system. One thing I do is try to not drive like a maniac. I strive to keep the revs under 3,000 on motorway trips. I live in Russia and driving any faster is exeeding the maximum speed limit ( 100 Km/H .

All the best

Mervin

- (#10581) Mervin, 11 Sep 03 4:45

Wife has got Spacecruiser had it 3 years was told they always run very hot,regular flushing of cooling system, re-fill slowly, no problems for 3 years!
Cheers
Andy Richards

- (#10582) Andy Richards, 11 Sep 03 18:52

My friend has a 2WD manual Townace 1991 2CT.
Only problem over at least two years (not sure exactly how long) was the wife filling with PETROL - rebuild of fuel injection pump!

Mine is a 1990 MasterAce Surf, 2CT. Just replaced the motor after 9 months, but mine was caused by a radiator failure, not a cracked head - although there was no compression after overheating (result, not cause).
Best advice - thorough test drive, full cooling system flush AND pressure test, check of viscous cooling fan, THEN REGULAR SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE. Some people tend to forget about checking, because it is so inconvenient to open the engine cover!

Look after it and it will look after you.

Dave.

- (#10583) Dave W, 11 Sep 03 23:00

I've had mine ( 2ct ) for 28 months now. Been to France twice in it. Only problem I ever had was when I replaced the radiator cap in a hurry after checking the water level and I recon it did'nt reseat well. Engine overheated twice ( in France of all places )before I figured it out. However appears to be no damage as a result of this incident. Have done 1500 miles since with no water usage.

- (#10584) stephen judge, 14 Sep 03 15:55

27 months and 20,000km with a '91 2CT Auto 4WD. Started off with a good flush and very slow refill. Rarely exceed 3000rpm. Check coolant level often. Only problem was wearing out cheap radiator caps. The new Toyota one (16401-64501 with float) is excellent, goes on and off smoothly. Engine work? - replaced front crankshaft oil seal during precautionary cambelt change, and new O-ring on top of fuel pump to fix fuel leak.

- (#10762) Dave Mason (Sussex), 17 Sep 03 7:09

19 months and 48,000 kms with no problems, I don't count the won't start feature, however I noticed that the lower/inner half of a front shock looked wet at the weekend, so may have a TEMS replacement on the cards, need to investigate soon. I thought they were gas so am a bit confused as to why it looks wet?

- (#10763) Clive, 17 Sep 03 8:49

Yes they are supposed to be gas filled shocks (sez so on the tin!). Oil coming from somewhere else?

- (#10764) Ian Dunse, 17 Sep 03 10:17

Sorry to butt in on the “no overheating post,” I cant make any claim to belong to this club unfortunately, but the thought occurred to me that Clives oil might be lubricating the inside? Or used to improve the seal perhaps?
Dave Bright

- (#10765) dave Bright, 17 Sep 03 14:00