Toyota vs Landrovers

 

...One life, don't waste it fixing landrovers.

"As a 25 year veteran of series landrover ownership I can categorically say having a Landrover taught me so much about mechanics that I would never of learned owning a Toyota." - Skelly Skelton

Martin's Estima / Previa in Poland

 Toyota Estima imported from Japan

Martin from Poland, this is his Estima, imported from Japan.

Looks really nice!

Photos from M. Chojnacki

Windshield wipers, rubber refills that might fit Toyota Previa

 Video show how I did, and then more options below.

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Maybe you can find: Genuine Toyota (85221-YZZB3-TM) Wiper Blade Refill

Brand: Toyota

Otherwise check out diffrent alternatives down below. I tell you what I did.

Original is 28" long

But has spray bar which makes it a bit harder because of washer nozzle and hoses. 

https://www.biltema.se/bil---mc/bilreservdelar/torkarutrustning/torkarblad/torkarblad-700mm-28-2000034120

https://www.biltema.se/bil---mc/bilreservdelar/torkarutrustning/torkarblad/torkarblad-600mm-24-2000029631

Anco W28R work on 95's...I don't remember if there is a difference between them and earlier models so you may have to research that aspect...

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https://www.ebay.com/itm/301827840348

"They are 28 " long and 8 mm wide. The NAPA part number is 6-2800. They aren't easy to replace.

The other thing I have done in the past when I could not find a 28" blade is use two 14" blades or a 13" and a 15". It's not ideal but it works when you have to do it. Better than nothing or using totally worn out wiper blades.

Waxing the windshield or using Rain-X also helps a lot."

https://www.toyotanation.com/threads/wiper-blade-refills-help-help.315020/

Use W40 or PTFE or something that makes it slide in easier.

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What did I do?

I bougt general rubber from Amazon.se

Motorcycle in Toyota Previa

 Does a Honda VFR fit into a Previa

"First time i fit my bike in there.  It looks like a big dog between the front seat" - S. Sengamphan

Yes! Motorcycle fits in a Toyota Previa

Replace coolant in Toyota Previa, video

Replace coolant in Toyota Previa including drain plug locations

Put in 4 liters of Biltema Longlife (Etylen) and 4 liters of desalted and oxygenfree water. Which equal 8 liters.

8 liters was about as much as I got out of it also.

You have to remove the shield sourounding the oilpan. It also helps to remove the shield so get access to the oilfilter. Atleast if you have some bad bults in the oilpan shield.

There are 2 drain plugs. 1 under the front cooler and 1 on the engine, besides the oilpan. Behind the oilfilter, looking from the front.

See video below how I did it, for more info.

https://youtu.be/aQrkl28aHvw

Replace coolant in Toyota Previa including drain plug locations

Date: 2021-06-08

Still using Toyota Previas as Taxi

Many Previa Taxis

Check out these photos from Diego I. 

Ever been to San Pedro, Belize?  Just about every taxi is a Previa or Toyota Van.!

Would definatly want to go there now. Very nice to see!

Thanks Diego for the nice pictures.

Lots of Previa in San Pedro, Belize

Sancas Plaza with Previas.

2TZ-FE Toyota Previa Engine

From https://toyota-club.net/files/faq/03-08-16_engine_eng.htm#tz

2TZ-FE Toyota Previa Engine

Picture below from: http://www.toyotavantech.com/forum/showthread.php?1303-A-twist-on-Previa-engine-removal

Replace coolant in Toyota Previa, Radiator flush etc.

 Special thanks goes to ToyotaTarago1992 for doing this video:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxw6qV6yNps

Radiator flush, Motor Drain plug, Thermostat, [ TCR Tarago Previa Estima ]

"Under the right side seat there is a bleeding point on my van TCR11 but a buddy of mine has a TRC10 Gli and doesn't have one. I guess it depends on the make and year. What one of our member on the club page did was cut a coke bottle bottom off and put the on top of the radiator reservoir fill the system as much as he could and the coke bottle then go under the van and squeeze all the hoses to get the air out. this worked for him. Make sure to give the system a really good flush to avoid mixing coolants as mixed coolants can foam up in the engine and create an air pocket that's hard to get out. make sure thermostat is okay and radiator cap is good. Also helps to have the van on ramps so all air moves to the front. Make sure heaters are ON & when warm to temp give the van a few hard revs to really make the pump work and force water flow, you will fill the heat from the heaters if the water is flowing correctly."

Jimmy C."did a coolant flush the other day and was having a hard time bleeding the air out until i tryed taking the top rad hose off to fill with coolant but turned out letting the pressure out this way was enough and the coolant flowed properly through the system, couldnt find any bleed screws on the tcr10 but i guess loosening the rad drain plug would work too with hindsight. 2 weeks later shes still good."

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"just did this. there are three small outlet tubes from the reservoir. one of mine was clogged with debris. pulled the reservoir and used wifeys knitting needle to unblock and now flows freely.

just wonder if this design somehow contributes to head gasket failure on high mileage previas somehow. there is a picture in chiltons manual for the engine drain location it is just in front of the oil pan and vertically oriented. be careful tightening, easy to strip. I drained 10 out of the 12 qts , filled with distilled water, repeated after running with heater on, then filled with Toyota red.50/50"

https://www.toyotanation.com/threads/previa-engine-block-coolant-drain-plug.1092545/

"There is a air bleed on top of the cylinder head. Its on the passenger side so you have to remove the access cover. Its a small banjo bolt air bleed. if you don't use it you have run the engine at high rpm for awhile to bleed the air. Perhaps you should try it. Bill"

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https://www.toyotavantech.com/forum/showthread.php?3901-Previa-Engine-Coolant-Drain-Plug-location

"I just did this a couple weeks ago when I had to replace my 93 Previa's heater core, which meant I needed to drain the engine coolant from both the engine coolant drain plug and the radiator drain plug.

* Before starting I drained our Previa's engine coolant completely using both the Radiator draincock, as well as the engine block coolant drain plug. The engine block coolant drain plug is hard to see/find, but it's near where the engine oil drain plug is and is tucked up in that area. It was a 10mm bolt that was silver colored, if that helps. The picture in the Previa FSM does not help much in finding it.

I accessed the engine coolant drain plug from the passenger side of the vehicle about where the engine oil drain plug is located. My suggestion is to get under the vehicle and look in that area and look for a silver colored single 10mm bolt...it's obvious once you know where to look  If you've never used it...it's almost impossible to find ;)"

"* After replacing the heater core I flushed the engine coolant system with distilled water, then filled it with Zerex Asian 50/50 pre-mixed engine coolant. It's the closest engine coolant to the Toyota "Red" that I could find locally (at NAPA)...it was either that or Prestone, and I wanted to go with as close to the Toyota "Red" coolant as possible."

"it is vertically oriented. do not overtighten, easy to strip"

Previa in Schwitzerland!

 Got a message from Jeton from Schwitzerland. He's a fan of the Previa also. Kindly he sent me some pictures of his 4 wheel drive Previa GL from 1998. It looks to be in great condition.

He also installed a big screen car stereo with DAB and USB.

He tells med it's  getting new 15W-40 mineral oil.

Nice to see some other peoples Previa, thank you  Jeton!

This Previa 4WD Looks to be in prestige condition!

Nice big screen stereo!

Overloaded Toyota Previa

 

Check out how much load the Toyota Previa can take.

Video showing it.

Vow check out this Toyota Estima / Previa!

Nice looking Toyota Estima / Previa

Photos and owner: Marcin Chojnacki

Previa vanlife Cap!

Nice looking cap!

Photo: Geronimo Bada Bing

Changing back to 10W-30 oil in the Previa

Since I have replaced the clutch and it might have been the thinner oil that was leaking through to the clutch. I have also cleaned the PCV-valve that was stuck.
Earlier I had 5w-40 fully synthetic bought on Lidl.. I made a video of it here.

Time of change: 2020-06-01
Km: 100952
Oil: Biltema art.nr: 36-970
10W-30 Mineral oil

BILDER HÄR

This is what the specification says to use in the Previa.

Km at change.

Unfortunatly I overfilled so had to tap the oil again... duh... why .. that's what happens when the brain doesnt think.

The old oil was really black even though I havent been driving so much with the car.. So I guess the
fully syntethic oil is cleaning the engine. If that is good or bad I really dont know.

Ad in Dagens Nyheter showing Toyota from the 90-ties

Old Toyota ad in swedish newspaper

Swedish:
"Toyota Previa. En stor personbil, inte en förminskad buss. Det betyder
att du får komfort, utrymme som i en minibuss och vägegenskaper som en sportbil.
Åtta personer plus bagage får plats utan att trängas. Pris 182900 kr."


The Previa translation becomes.

"Toyota Previa. A large passenger car, not a reduced bus. It means that you get comfort, space like a minibus and road characteristics like a sports car. Eight people plus luggage can be accommodated without being crowded. Price 182900 kr."

Ad of Toyota Corolla, Toyota Carina, Toyota Camry and Toyota Previa. From Toyota-Center in Rissne / Sundbyberg

Replacing Power steering fluid on a Toyota Previa

Time to replace the power steering fluid on the Toyota Previa -98

Used Semi Synthetic Oil from Biltema, it's sort of red in colour. The oil is for automatic transmissions / gearboxes where an ATF oil of type Dexron® III, Dexron® II is prescribed. Also for some hydraulic transmissions, power steering, etc. Meets the following specifications:
Allison C-4
Caterpillar TO-2
Ford Mercon®
GM Dexron® II
GM Dexron® III

I made a video of it! Hope you get some use out of it!

Great tips from Scotty, change servo fluid and clean wipers with alcohol and water

Good tips from Scotty Kilmer. Change power steering fluid reservoir the easy way.

He is using a Turkey baster. In Sweden we can probably use Blåsbälg/Bollspruta/Hävertpump


https://www.autozone.com/repairguides/Toyota-Previa-1991-1997-Repair-Information/STEERING/Power-Steering-Gear/_/P-0900c1528008a637

Toyota Previa, the Eggvan film

Check this out. Nice little film about a filmwriter, Niki Byrne and her love to an old Previa. We who owns Previa understand. :-)

Toyota Previa blow head gaskets . Problem, very good article!

Scotty Kilmers tips further down in video (about the cooling system).

This is where I found it, since It's not there anymore I decided to put it up on the Internet again:
http://www.ebay.com/gds/Owning-a-Toyota-Previa-Estima-Lucida-Emina-/10000000004429796/g.html



Owning a Toyota Previa/Estima/Lucida/Emina

August 12, 2008

This guide pertains to ONLY 1990 - 1999 models.

The good points

a. The wide body Previa is the most spacious MPV on the market without a doubt (and yes I have driven the Chrysler Grand Voyager and Kia Sedona)
b. Very comfortable to drive
c. Drive very well if looked after.
d. These are back wheel drive so no CV joint/boot issues as with the other MPV's on the market. (although the independent suspension models do have rear CV boots but as these run in one plane of motion they are pretty durable.) Actually one exception to this is the 4x4 versions that have CV joints on the front driveshafts.
e. On the 8 seaters the rear seats fold down into a double bed.....very cool (7 seater variants are a bit limited when the rear seats are up)
f. With all seats occupied there is still plenty of luggage space in the boot.
g. Because of the space between the rear most seats and the rear window your passengers will be unlikely to suffer head injury if you are rear ended.

The bad points

1. The Petrol versions are known to blow head gaskets although this is not that common and spares are readily available.

2. The diesel versions are well known for cracking cylinder heads, this is an expense issue to have resolved and can cost upwards of £1000 

3. Getting insurance on the imports can be expensive although this is changing as imports are becoming more common. Shop around and take a look at the bottom of this guide.

4. There are NO official English workshop manuals available for the imports but do a search on Ebay for various offerings. There is a Genuine Toyota manual for the 3C-TE diesel engine but as this book was based on the Corolla there are some subtle but important differences.

5. You may have trouble finding garages that will repair the imports and this includes some Toyota agents.

6. Spares for the Imports ( Anything with ESTIMA in the name) are mostly only available from Ebay and Toyota but Toyota can be expensive.  Some head gaskets sold are incorrect for these vehicles. NOTE: - The diesel engine used in the IMPORTS is also used in other Toyota's BUT the head gasket is very specific to the car in which the engine is installed. Put the wrong one in, whilst it may fit, and it will cause the head to crack again but sooner rather than later

So yours is running fine and you are quite happy with it. Great here are some points to try and keep it that way.

1. Change the radiator NOW. I don't care if it is ok, trust me on this one for £70 it is well worth doing. This goes for the Petrol and Diesels.

2. At the same time change the Thermostat

3. Change the coolant on a regular basis, every 50K miles.

4. Keep the car serviced regularly as per manufacturers guidelines.

5. Keep an eye on your temp gauge

6. Check the coolant regularly, if it starts dropping on a regular and alarming basis have a pressure test and a combustible gas test done on the car immediately. This is a sure sign that on the Petrol's the head gasket is on its way out and on the Diesels the head & gasket are on their way out.
Having said that though, change the radiator cap first. This is something most people overlook but they do go over time and release pressure before they should (13psi) and water loss is the result.7. DO NOT put tap water in the radiator. Take a look at your kettle, if that happens in your engine you are on your way to a big repair bill. Buy distilled or deionised water or get rain water from your water butt if you have one. Always have a bottle of antifreeze available and mix 50% water with 50% antifreeze and put this in the radiator. You can also buy premix antifreeze to make your life easier.

8. At least once a week check the oil level and whilst at it take off the oil filler cap and look inside. If there is a milky white substance DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR ------ CALL YOUR MECHANIC9. Personally if I had just bought a diesel Estima/Emina/Lucida, the first thing I would do is to take off the cylinder head check it and if ok, fit a new head gasket and thoroughly flush the cooling system and install a new thermostat and radiator. This may sound extreme but £80 for a new gasket is cheaper than £500 for a new head and incredibly good value for peace of mind.

As for the rest of the car maintain it the way you would any other, but note the shock absorbers need changing relatively frequently as these are heavy cars. So if when you dive into a corner the car feels like you are sailing a ship, then this is a sure sign that they are going or gone.

OK SO THE DREADED HAS HAPPENED - THE CAR IS OVERHEATING --- NOW WHAT ???

Firstly bummer DUDE !!!

Ok what to do really depends on what you have done. If the car overheated badly i.e. YOU WEREN'Twatching the gauge. I commiserate with you and will send flowers.

Here's the deal. Heat is your enemy!!!!!! Heat causes expansion, expansion causes friction, friction causes more heat, more heat and friction cause wear, wear causes component failure. Its really a simple equation. The hotter the car ran and the longer it ran like this the more things are going to be knackered. If however you were being a good little boy or girl and were watching the gauge and pulled over right away and called the little man from the AA or RAC then well done, you have saved yourself a lot of money.

Steps upon failure.

When the AA/RAC man arrives DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES LET THE MUPPET PUT COLD WATER INTO THE ENGINE......PLEEEEEEASE. Yes I know they are qualified mechanics but sometimes they don't think. If you put something cold onto something very hot it will crack and this will negate all the good work you have done pulling over. Wrestle him and his container of water to the ground if need be until he agrees to tow you home.

NOTE: - BOTH A HAYNES AND CHILTON WORKSHOP MANUAL ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE PREVIA'S. I RECOMMEND THE CHILTON BUT EITHER WAY BUY ONE OR BETTER YET BUY BOTH

Petrol engines 
Ok, these are relatively simple. The most likely cause is a blown radiator or stuck thermostat-- Best case-- or blown head gasket --- Worst case. The first two are simple enough to fix and I would try these first before delving into the engine.

If it appears that the head gasket has failed the head will have to come off and a new gasket fitted. This can be done with the engine in situ so don't let anyone convince you to pay more to have the engine removed. Once off the head should be checked for cracks but this is unlikely on the petrols. Warpage is however possible so the head should be checked for this and if need be skimmed. It should then be cleaned and resurfaced as should the block. This ensure that the new gasket has good purchase. Whilst the head is off I would thoroughly recommend that you have the valves reseated and new valve stem seals fitted at the same time. A FULL top end gasket set should be bought and all gaskets replaced. It is false economy not to do this as eventually you will be revisiting these gaskets if you don't. You MUST buy NEW CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS!!!!!!

Word of advice, if you are doing the job yourself take pictures of all the tubes and pipes so you know where these go when the time comes to reassemble!!That's it, reassemble and you have a nice car again.

Diesels

Well the same process should be followed as with the petrols but here it is highly likely that the head will be cracked and even if it isn't I would recommend you have it pressure tested and if need be welded. Best case scenario is a new head. DO NOT USE A SECOND HAND HEAD!!!, really this is a big job and you don't want to do it twice because you decided to be a Scrooge. I cannot advise whether or not to buy a genuine Toyota head as in my mind the genuine Toyota one is the one that has just cracked so why would another one of theirs be any better, so this I will leave up to you to decide, however a Toyota head gasket is probably wise.

If you choose to buy an after market gasket the thing to watch for is the water ways in the gasket. Make sure you strip your head first and keep the old gasket to compare. Make 4000% sure that the gaskets, new and old are identical in every respect before fitting. ONCE AGAIN BUY NEW BOLTS.

IF IT APPEARS THAT ONLY THE HEAD IS AT FAULT DO NOT LET ANYONE CONVINCE YOU TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. ALL THE ENGINES ON EBAY ARE USED........BETTER THE DEVIL YOU KNOW.

Here again reassemble and drive with a smile.

Now what if you were a silly Muppet and drove a long way with the car in the RED. TUT TUTWell chances are you now need a new engine, as almost certainly either your liners, pistons, rings or all three will now be knackered. I doubt you will find a new engine so your only recourse will be one of the used ones off Ebay but remember that these are pretty much all second hand so make sure you get a decent warranty.

If you have an Estima/Lucida or Emina you would be wise to join the www.estima-motoring.co.uk forum. Here you will find help and advice as well as information as to where to get spares and even discount on Insurace.

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Toyota Previa Wasp

Black and Yellow Previa disguised as a Wasp?

Every sting has a Bean.

Photos from Mike G.

Toyota Previa Sales Brochyre from 1991

Sales brochure in perfect shape, showcasing all Toyota’s from 1991.

It contains the Toyota Previa.

"I forgot I had this sales brochure in perfect shape, showcasing all Toyota’s from 1991. I bought this from a car show for .25cents or so sometime in the early 2000’s."  Brandon M.


Photos from Brandon M.

Red Toyota Previa from 1991.

.