wow am i glad i found this site, having just bought a 1990 townace, imported in 1999, last wednesday. i've been looking for any information on these creatures, then stumbled on ace answers, although now i'm not so sure if i just bought the best car going or just invested in another child thats gonna need a lot of TLC to get through life, still looking forward to the outcome either way.
so far so good all the family love it and theres only a few silly little things that don't work at the moment so i'll do some reading and see if there are any hints on the site.
looking forward to using this site, as there seem to be a lot of loyal followers of the townie and i can see why.
cheers for now.
Rich (torbay)
- (#14143) Rich, 12 Nov 04 16:54
Not the Torbay in Auckland NZ? would be my home town and unusual to be sure
- (#14143) Frank, 12 Nov 04 22:15
Rich. You are now the owner of one of the best equipped, most interesting, and satisfactory MPV's on the road. Yes, your "child" does need a lot of TLC but, the best tools for the job are this forum, and Toyota's engine manual RMO25E. The level checks, ie, water, oil, etc, are a bit more involved than just lifting the bonnet but, get into the habit of doing these on a regular basis. In my opinion, many of the problems aired on this site, can be attributed to carelessness over preventative maintenance and, sometimes, owners can be deceived by Toyota's legendary reliability, with a vehicle well into it's teens. Here I go again but, my often spouted opinion is that these vehicles must be driven within their capabilities. Forget trying to keep up with V6 Galaxys and Espaces or, motorway "burn ups". Here, those inferior vehicles have some advantages but, these questionable advantages pale into insignificance when you compare their layout and their specification, to the Townace. Though many Townace owners remove that irritating 100 KPH bleeper, it is a handy reminder that the vehicle is approaching the dividing line between comfortable handling of temperatures and stresses, and that risky area of boil ups and component failure.
Good luck and do enjoy your new vehicle.
- (#14143) John Davis (Leics), 13 Nov 04 02:07
And a Hi to you too.
Torbay UK I assume?
I second most of John's posting. I must admit that I have pushed the bus over an indicated 90, with no problems, but do make regular checks and preventative maintenance.
If you are interested we have several gatherings during the warmer months, camping up to now but open to suggestions should you own a hotel/guesthouse, where you can stay or day visit, and discuss all things Ace, put a face to some of the names, and find out what that thingy wotsit does!
- (#14143) Clive (Bristol), 13 Nov 04 04:19
thanks for the warm welcome, sorry frank not in NZ, torbay UK, still good to talk. i've been having a good look over today and managed to find the engine, this is gonna make things a lot easier from here on in i thinks!! all levels good also found a new radiator, skimmed head and cambelt recently done also found a few wires dangling, they looked like they used to go somewhere will look in to that soon, one quick question while i'm thinking of it, sat in the beast to day engine ticking over nicely, then the ignition keys hit my foot with no effect to the engine, then after quick examination found i can start her with a tea spoon, thankfully shes got an imobilser so its not all bad. now thinking of a push button start so, has anybody got an idea of wires of off the ignition assembly. i've got all the colour codes and there positions on to it but knowing the ignition sequence would be very handy. so i can wire switches and push button.
thanks all
rich
- (#14143) rich , 13 Nov 04 14:27
hi rich
have the same prob with the ing switch, seems to be a common prob on aces. one thing to watch is its had all that work done it has proberly overheated in the past and is best to check thay have fitted the correct stat and the fan is working correctly, any probs just email me....
- (#14143) neil (torbay), 13 Nov 04 14:41
Just a thought with the key coming out -
make sure you turn the key all the way off, you will know as you have to depress the button on top of the column to remove it, otherwise you will leave circuits open and have a flat battery!
- (#14143) Clive (Bristol), 13 Nov 04 15:55
all sorted, removed barrell and replaced ign switch with switch and push button, small spark from plyers when i clipped hte steering coloum but that seems to have some how started the alarm bleep working again so all happy now. whilst i was working on it, a little white box dropped out of the lower dash with ace answers printed on the side, it seems to be a temperature alarm of some sort for the rad i assume, also proving that where ever it was before it was in the hands of another BoK user.
cheers for now
rich.
P.S. neil is your townie the one with townace.com in the front window?
- (#14143) rich, 14 Nov 04 13:33
That white box is a Mason Alarm, only available from Ace answers or perhaps supplied at an Ace Jam.
Townace.com stickers available from Mr Dave Bright.
- (#14143) Clive (Bristol), 14 Nov 04 13:47
Thats mine, got the sticks at the brean ace jam from dave bright, £5 for the pair, i think dave still has some left. was yours a local ace, theres about 15 aces in torbay.. i live on kings ash..... where are you in the bay..
neil....
- (#14143) neil (torbay), 15 Nov 04 05:24
neil, nice place to be at this time of year, or at least for the next 15 weeks, hope all the works are worth it, i recon its a dry run to see how much inconvience it causes for when they do tweenaway lights!! still im living in goodrington at the mo. not to sure where the townie came from think possibly somerset, but i picked it up in plymouth. shes kinda a dark silver with all the rear windows tinted with limo black tint, 2litre TD. will keep my eyes out for you on the roads. do the townies tend to over heat in traffic or on a run in your experience?
Rich
- (#14143) rich, 15 Nov 04 17:54
mines never overheated in traffic, only on long runs fully loaded and going up long hills, really dose'nt like telegraph hill. mine has got a small leak on the head gasket and tends to overheat and dump the water if i rev it to high.... will get round to replacing it soon... dont mind the road works as its nice and quiet at the moment and i can get on the road nice and easy, sometimes i can be sat for 10 minuets trying to get out on to the road... most the townies round here tend to wave.
neil
- (#14143) neil (torbay), 16 Nov 04 03:54
hello i am keith l/pool
HI I AM GLAD I FOUND THIS SITE.I HAVE A LITEACE IMPORT G reg 1989 4WD AUTO DERV WITH A 1970cc.engin.at the moment i have a problem with insurance & the rear wheal berings could doo with replacing i haveve had my liteace for about 10 months & i am very happy with it.last year i went to the woodvale ace jam in southport it was very good.& i will be gowing to brean sands with luck. i am looking forward to using this sit. all the best to all of you .keith
- (#14143) keithliverpool, 15 Jan 05 08:50