campbeam

Your main options are to either repair or replace the 1MZ-FE V6 Engine. My main question is what caused the engine to seize.

There was a previous thread where a fix to a clutch pedal rattle was lubricating the dry pivot point where the spring attaches/arms pivots on the clutch fork/throwout bearing arm. From memory, that thread also included a link to a Youtube video http://au.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/topic/5764-rant/?tab=comments#comment-76147

I clean the PCV valve using degreaser in a spray can. I fill the valve with the degreaser and let it sit for a few minutes. Give it a shake and repeat a number of times. Next time I think I will just soak it in petrol in a small container and shake it a few times. I am a great believer in preventative maintenance and I am totally guilty of over-servicing my vehicles. If your engine oil is a dark golden colour or even black, my recommendation is to do an engine flush then an oil and filter cartridge change. Something else I do is clean the oil filter cartridge by soaking it in petrol in a small container, shaking it then let it air dry. This is just an interim measure before being replaced at 5000 km intervals. Positive Crankcase Understanding.doc

Most likely going to be the throwout bearing.

Just happened to come across this YouTube video titled "10 of the Greatest Toyota Engines Ever" Interesting is the combination of Toyota and Yamaha for a few of these engines. Anyway quite happy that the 2GR-FE engine appears. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4mlWpGLJ4M

It could be similar to the dreaded V V T i rattle which has got quite a few mentions in the Aurion Forum. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzzboZDObbs If you are lucky, an engine flush and an oil change may reduce/fix the noise. Not sure if a higher viscosity oil will be better than a lower viscosity oil for this situation.

Checked with the "boss" that she wanted to stay home last night so spent the afternoon doing the tyre treatment on both of my Aurions. For the initial treatment, I went overboard removing wheels and giving each tyre multiple spray and a hand rub to work it into the rubber. Inside of the tyre was given extra attention. Reckon next time, I will just be able to jack up the car to rotate and spray the tyres.

Does not make sense considering that lower octane can be used in colder climates. Maybe it is related to the variability of fuel quality at the petrol station pump in NZ. https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2014/04/11/tech-101-octane-the-facts-and-the-fiction-behind-those-higher-priced-fuels/

Do a forum search for "white smoke". There are a number of recent posts and multiple threads. It is accumulated oil sludge in the oil channels mainly of the front valve cover. Quick solution is to remove this front valve cover and thoroughly clean the oil channels which are inaccessible. More than likely, the pcv valve needs another clean. Just happens that I did that pcv clean task last night.

I also use RedBook to look at the various models and specifications plus an indicator of used prices. https://www.redbook.com.au/cars/research/details/2013-toyota-hilux-sr-manual-my12-double-cab/SPOT-ITM-323188/

From memory [as I recall] there was a post by a Hilux owner who had bought the SR model but now wished that he had paid the extra for the SR5. http://australiancar.reviews/reviews.php#!content=guide&make=Toyota&model=Hilux&gen=901

I would say the rough ride is due to new suspension and you have been used to driving an old vehicle with worn suspension. On my 1998 Camry, I had 205/65/15 tyres and the ride was a lot firmer when I replaced the struts and coil springs. It all settled down to a smoother but still a very firm ride after a few weeks. The ride on my 2006 Aurion ATX is very smooth [probably a bit bouncy] but the suspension is quite worn in. I have standard size tyres 215/60/16 and have increased tyre pressures from 36psi to 38psi for a bit better handling.

In my email messages, I received the following question and answer post. I had been thinking about this scenario recently particularly about putting the transmission in neutral and a foot hard on the brake pedal and pushing back into the seat as the default option. https://www.quora.com/What-should-you-do-if-you-are-about-to-be-rear-ended-by-a-car-approaching-at-high-speed-while-stopped-behind-another-car-Should-you-jam-down-on-the-brakes-as-hard-as-you-can-Hold-brakes-lightly-Release-brakes Interesting comments because I usually stop with enough gap so I can see the car in front's rear tyres on the road surface so I can possibly go around if they break down etc. Fortunately, I have only had one incident where I started to move into the oncoming lane; still got impacted but not too bad and no damage to me.

One tip that I read about and used is brake fluid to penetrate and make undoing air fuel sensors a lot easier. It should also work for undoing the exhaust manifold bolts.

Previous owner of my Honda Prelude [now sold] told me and demonstrated on test drive a knocking noise from front suspension. I ended up replacing all of the struts swapping them over from a spares rolling body. Knocking noise gone. Later, I had rear suspension knocking noises that also drove me crazy. I checked the retaining nuts for the strut and all ok. Finally, many months later, it ended up being a broken anti-sway bar. Guess it was making noises until it eventually broke apart.

That is the coil spring bump stop. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Fits-TOYOTA-AVALON-AVX40-GSX40-2012-Rear-Bumper-Coil-Spring-Bump-Stop/263301883037?hash=item3d4e03e49d:g:DKwAAOSwBkRZ~8gL

https://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_odkw=coil+spring+seat&_osacat=33590&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xcoil+spring+seat+toyota+.TRS0&_nkw=coil+spring+seat+toyota+&_sacat=33590 My lunch money [10 cents only] is on the struts bottoming out.

Gave both the starter body motor and the solenoid a number of taps with a metal extension bar. Starter motor worked, turned and started the engine. Turned engine off but battery charge too low to crank engine. Now got the battery on a charger to fully recharge overnight then retest.

Sports Bonnet treatment with scoops and/or vents plus daytime running lights. The following is just a primer to get the thought process activated. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Universal-Bonnet-Scoop-FRP-Commodore-Monaro-Style-VN-VP-VR-VS-VT-VU-VX-VY-VZ/291907728750?hash=item43f70e756e:g:~gEAAOSwzgRWxRyt

You do not expect an oil leak on a new vehicle so I understand your concern. Good that the dealer has recorded this issue just in case it becomes a future warranty claim. One fairly benign explanation could be some excess oil venting via a breather tube. Please note that this is sheer speculation/guesswork. For peace of mind, you could request the dealer to confirm/check the oil level in the transmissions.

SuperCheap now also doing for Xmas, an extra 20% off for an online spend $100 or more. Highly tempted to get 2 of the following but already got 2-3 years supply. http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/Product/Penrite-HPR-Diesel-5-Engine-Oil-5W-40-10-Litre/123724?utm_source=shop_search&utm_medium=search_results&utm_campaign=g_shopping&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4LaX4ruX2AIVzTUrCh2M-AZ2EAYYASABEgKOCvD_BwE http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/Product/Penrite-HPR-Diesel-10-Engine-Oil-10W-40-10-Litre/348770?menuFrom=1021653

Go for a day trip to help decarbon the engine. Also put some fuel injector cleaner in the fuel tank. Hope you have found a mechanic who can remove and clean the front valve cover then refit the pcv valve.

TradeTools are having a 4 Day sale starting Wed. 20.12.2017 to Sat. 23.12.2017 with a 20% discount on Force brand which comes with a lifetime warranty. Free shipping service via Australia Post eParcel is available. https://www.tradetools.com/postage-and-handling Years ago, I purchased this comprehensive tool kit for each of my teenage sons for their 13th birthday. https://www.tradetools.com/product-range/auto-and-mechanics-tools/tool-kits/force-142pc-combination-tool-set-1-2-3-8-and-1-4-drive Over the years, I have purchased a number of different Force brand tool kits.

Due for a new transmission filter and new automatic transmission fluid. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o690DovjDAc

When was the last time the automatic transmission fluid changed? How many kms on the odometer?