i am having problems with starting my townace ,i have fitted new leads new battery and fuel filter .When it does eventually start it runs rough ,and will stall if given too much gas ,i am going to fit new plugs .can anyone tell me if the EFI model has contact breaker points and if so where is the distributor ?,any other ideas gratefully recieved .
Also i have been told by my local car part store that i should fit platinum spark plugs !! at £35 a set ,has anyone else had to do this ?

thanks Neil

- (#13319) neil mcglinchey, 13 Sep 04 15:45

Platinum plugs are a waste of cash on the Townie. Only really necessary on the latest cars where the interval between changes is 50-60,000 miles.

Get yourself a cheap multimeter from Argos or Maplin. The ones under a tenner are perfectly adequate for telling you whether your battery and plugs are working or really do need to be changed.

Check the injectors and the rubber seals around them. My Townie is a diesel but on my old VW the injectors were just a push fit (if a tightish one - don't pull on the hose to remove them). New seals cost a few pence from any Factor.

It is hard to clean the injectors properly without an ultrasonic bath. Using Shell's Optimax for a few weeks is a more accessible alternative for most of us. It really can make a difference (No connection disclaimer etc.)

- (#13319) John, 13 Sep 04 17:39

Toyota recommend platinum plugs for the 3y engine, as fitted to the Spacecruiser, due to the higher running temp. I would assume the same applies to the Townace.
Whatever you go for I recommend NGK, all other makes failed to impress for one reason or another, during my 250,000 miles in a Spacecruiser.

- (#13319) Clive (Bristol), 14 Sep 04 01:17

I am running my EFI Royal Lounge on Champion spark plugs without any problems. I use red X fuel additive whenever I fill the tank and the engine is treated with greased lightning oil additive. I change the oil, plugs etc every 6 months and I have never had any running problems.

- (#13319) Bill, 14 Sep 04 15:43