I have had my 2.0l turbo diesel auto liteace for 3 months although i dearly love it, I have had nothing but problems for example none of the inertia seatbelts work which I find strange , also along with other people i have a coolent problem my temperature is fine around town but if i drive on the motorway after about 45 minutes the temperature gauge goes straight to the red then down then up then down and so on IT DOES NOT BOIL OVER, I have spent the best part of £600 on dodgy garages(cant find specialist in south wales) I have had a new water pump ,new viscous fan and a crack welded on the waterpump housing.
Does anyone else have or heard of any similar problems, also i am in need of a offside electric heated door mirror and parking mirror.
- (#11145) keith, 15 Oct 03 13:25
Hi Keith.
Temp
As I was reading I was thinking, over heating on motorway usually means the viscous coupling. But as you have changed that already, its not likely unless it was a second hand unit? Its possible that it could be the radiator cap, insufficient pressure could cause your symptoms so get a new one with the float and see what happens. Your coolant hasn‘t turned black by any chance has it? Do you have any small leaks anywhere?
Seat belts.
The spring tension on some belts can be adjusted, but if not then you will have to replace them I’m afraid. You could try Halfrauds or similar places.
Mirrors
You will be able to get replacement mirrors from Toyota, but it will cost an arm and a leg. Best bet is to trawl the scrap yards.
Regards
dave Bright
- (#11146) dave Bright, 15 Oct 03 13:50
hi dave
thanks for the info, by the way it is a second hand viscous fan, read on the board that i can test it using boiling water, but the fan seems to be turning ok, the old one stopped at about 3000 rpm.
the coolent does not appear black but i do think that it is forcing its way out of the engine through the rad cap changed cap from 0.9 to 13 lbs but still forcing its way out, however the coolent does appear to be rusty considering i have paid a garage to clean the coolent system there does not seem to be any anti freeze so think i will take it back to afor mentioned dodgy garage to see if i get any joy will keep you posted thanks
- (#11147) keith, 16 Oct 03 4:54
Hi Keith,
You do not mention if you are losing coolant. I had exactly the same symptoms, overheating at speed, cool around town. The problem was a warped cylinder head that at high speed allowed the gases through into the cooling system and gently blew the coolant out through the overflow. There was always enough coolant to keep the engine happy around town! The answer was to apply a special gel to the head gasket that took out the unevenness without the expense of milling the head. 4 years later I am still ecstatic about the car!
Hope this is of help
Tony
- (#11148) Tony Randall, 16 Oct 03 7:30
hi tony
i think i am losing coolent through the rad cap as i have rusty water splash marks up along the timing belt cover, but your idea does make sense
dont know how to check if coolent is coming through overflow,will a commpression test pick this up and if it is where can i get the gel
this site is brilliant thanks
- (#11149) keith, 16 Oct 03 7:55
Hi again!
Ref Gel, no I cheated and got a Toyota garage to do the work. I am having some suspension repairs done next week, (picked up by the Spanish MOT, but not enough to fail the test) and I will ask them. Repair work out here is so cheap and efficient that I don't consider the car mine when it comes to repairs!!
Rgds Tony
- (#11150) Tony Randall, 16 Oct 03 10:35
Keith
>dont know how to check if coolant is coming through overflow<?
A good way is to attatch a very small plastic bag to the overflow pipe - if coolant is being pushed out you will find it in the bag
- (#11151) chris turner, 16 Oct 03 17:30
thanks chris
think i will try this
also been told to have my rad checked for blockages
will keep everone informed, feel like im part of a select few since buying my liteace
thanks to all
- (#11237) keith, 17 Oct 03 8:57
Keith - regarding seat belts - I have same issue also - and to my way of thinking they are not right - however a mechanic told me there are a number of different types... including ones with explosive charges?! He said that some only lock on braking - I find that my tumbler mechanisms dont lock when tugged sharply but do lock if tugged sharply when braking - I have an MOT soon and discussed this with the tester who suggested if they work under braking then they should pass...... all sounds abit odd to me but I would drop in on your local testing station and discuss with them
The prob of the guage going into the red and then back again - is it possible you have air in the system?(my hobbyhorse) other thoughts being rad flow good? (rusty water means a good flush and replenish needed) or is the thermostat sluggish/functioning poorly/ or of the wrong rating
- (#11238) chris turner, 17 Oct 03 9:28
regarding cooling system the afor mentioned dodgy garages were supposed to have overhauled the cooling system when they replaced water pump,dont think they did but they must have drained the system when the water pump was removed .
and as i understand it they should be refilled slowly to avoid airlocks so possibility of air in the system.
ref seatbelts
been told by the ministry of transport to find out if this is a common fault when they are imported so if you know anyone else who has the same problem please let me know,
i have found three others the same
once again to all who replied a big
thankyou.
- (#11239) keith, 19 Oct 03 8:06
Hi keith,
The gel used by the garage was none other than the common blue hermatite. This was spread liberally over the head gasket upon reassembling. I remember that the head gasket was suspect at one time. Anyway I have had no problems with coolant loss or overheating ever since. Hope you solve the problem.
rgds Tony
- (#11320) Tony Randall, 23 Oct 03 11:08