maba

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Hi, Has anyone had a reconditioned engine fitted to their Prado/Landcruiser by Toyota and is happy with the result? can someone please share their positive or negative feedback to give me a better understanding what I am up for. You can view my story on the 4x4 Prado category called "58,000klm Blown engine" Yes its true the engine threw a conrod out of the block at only 58,000klm's. Is there a mechanic anyone can recommend for this process in Melbourne? What sort of money am I up for? Thanking you in advance, Thanks, Maba Hi All, I have had my engine replaced from a 2004 Hilux which used the 5VZ engine. The result was fantastic. "Engines plus" Cheltenham did a fantastic job. Rgards, Maba

At this stage I have been told on the 5th January TMCA will be conducting their investigation. Your comment re: "The Service Managers", I know exactly what you mean!!! I did by pass him/her and spoke to the director of the dealership direct, also Pinzvidz who has recommended some key stakeholders who I should contact has been extreemely beneficial to this point. I will post my update as soon as its available. Regards, Maba

I agree with your comment, my Prado's engine blew up at 58,000k and requires a reco engine. Something strange happened while the 54k service was been carried out. Read my thread under 4x4 Prado Topic "58,000k engine blew" Regards, Maba

Hi Guni, Your opinion is valid and i'm sure your experience with the dealership has steared your thoughts in this direction. I agree that a local mechanic will infact complete the service with a higher degree of accuracy. I had a Toyota mechanic admit to myself the day after my 54k service issue (leaking oil) that they are under constant presure to turn over the vehicles as quick as possible. This is where errors occur and cutomers pay the price. I think Toyota Australia should be contacted by the customer every time they have an issue with a dealership to build up a solid history against the dealership and perhaps will be followed up with an audit. Regards, Maba

Hi, My services were all scheduled around the 10,000k intervals starting from 1500k, 10,000k, 21,000k, 32,000k, 44,000k and 54,000k. I have clear detailed service records which were presented to the dealership last week. I still cant believe "THE" dealership made the statement!!!!! What more can the customer do to remain loyal? Now I am starting to think is it worth taking the vehicle to the dealership for future servicing? Can you believe that Toyota Australia expected me to have completed 14 services at 58,000klm's!!!!!!!! thats a service every 4,100klm's. I should have a result by mid next week. will keep you posted. Thanks again for your help. Regards, Maba

FYI, "THE" Toyota dealer (Located in the North/West of Melbourne) called me today to inform me with the following details, > The Prado engine will be inspected by The Toyota Australia specialist team to determine the root cause (they are keen to understand why the engine failed). I will then be notified with the outcome. > Even though I have a full TOYOTA service History in detail, I have been advised that my service history is not looking too good due to the gap between services. This comment is hard to swallow especially being a loyal customer. > I should have an answer after Christmas. Regards, Maba

Hi, What is the outcome? Regards, Maba

Hi, And to think they wanted to charge me $95 per hour to confirm that!!!! Anyhow Toyota Australia will be making a decision now, hopefully I will have a decision by early Jan 09. Regards, Maba

Hi, I just got the news today that "THE" dealership had completed their analysis on the car and they have confirmed that it was a thrown conrod and the engine needs to be replaced/reco etc. Apparently they only removed the sump to analyse (strange). They will now apply for an out of warranty Consideration after I have supplied "THE" dealer with all documentation re: service history. I will inform you with more details tommorow night after I have had a lengthy discussion with them. Regards, Maba

Hi, I feel the same way as you described. I will be calling TMCA first thing Monday morning as suggested by pinzvidz. Its funny you mentioned Today Tonight. The other day while I was negotiating with the Service Manager he expressed the comment "Take it to a Current Affair or to a Solicitor if you wish". That comment was in-appropriate coming from a "Service Manager" At no point of any conversations we have had did I ever mention A Current Affair. Regards, Maba

Hi, I will definately call first thing Monday morning and present my issue. I was considering upgrading to the new model in the near future, now I am looking at other options due to my experience. New Sportwagon Commodore looks ok, anyhow Toyota will definately influence my decision. Once again thanks for the advise. Keep you informed. Regards, Maba

Hi Latest update, THE dealer has put my case forward to Toyota Australia and they have now agreed to the following, They will pay "THE" dealer only two hours labour to check out the damage BUT will not pay the labour to put the engine back together "where does that leave the customer?", not sure exactly what's involved they mentioned removing the sump only. I will be booking an independant inspection on the vehicle to clarify whether Toyota's report coresponds with the independant. Ladies /Gents, if you have experienced any similar issue and you have any advise it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Maba

Hi Gav, I have taken pics of the latest incident which I have filed for future reference, Unfortunately no pics from the last incident at 54k. Thanks, Maba

Hi, At this stage the vehicle is at "THE" Toyota dealer and being inspected, I did receive the fax re: the oil leak over the driveway "THE" dealer claims that they forgot to wash the tray under the engine. "It was excess oil" MMMMM!!!! no news yet regarding the engine. The information you have provided is informative and encouraging that I do have a good case to present to Toyota Australia. I will be looking at the "out of waranty consideration via the dealer" as an option. Keep you informed. Thanks, Maba

Hi, My appologies re: details posted on the 7th, The engine is a V6 3.4 lt, RACV confirmed the engine had thrown a con-Rod out the side of the engine. There were no symptoms except a loud sound like the engine was crunching metal fragments, then the engine just cut out and oil leaked out. The vehicle is now going into "THE" Toyota Dealer on the 9th December 08 for a full report, then Dealership Management will present the case to Toyota Australia. Maba,

Hi, I own a 2001 Toyota Prado VX with 58,000km's in immaculate condition which has been fully serviced by Toyota since new, the car has never been off road or towed trailers etc. Unfortunately this afternoon the engine has "blown up" and requires reconditioning. I find it very unusual for a car with such a great reputation and kept in immaculate condition mechanically as well as cosmetically to have blown its motor. The last service I had experienced the following scenario, the car was serviced at 54,000km's by Toyota, I picked up the car drove home and noticed a significant amount of fresh oil which leaked on my driveway. I immediately called the service department and they arranged to tow the vehicle back to the dealer to rectify the issue. The question remains was there enough oil in the vehicle for the 25km trip back home from the dealer? Could this have contributed to the engine's damage? Your thoughts/Opinions will be greatly appreciated. How much would a reco engine be worth? Maba.