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TommyM

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Everything posted by TommyM

  1. TommyM
    It's the only conclusion i can think of. But i think the fan setup/blade design doesn't warrant for a 3rd fan when they pull alot more air through. Even without a tow pack the fans are the same. But having the external coolers i do appreciate. It had a tow pack that still looked near new, probably had a small bike trailer twice that's how clean/rust free the ball was, i've since removed part of the system. I'm not going to use it But the coolers, massive plus !
  2. TommyM
    The Avalon was re-tooled for Australia from the US market, we only got it for one generation (99' - 05') which was basically the XX10 but completely changed, improved & better than the first gen US model which was rather bland, Australia changed alot in suspension, body structure, crash protection, etc etc. Even though it was an older design, we just did it better 🤣😉 I had a hunch it might have been a universal "one condenser fan does all, even if not required as much" sorta situation. But strange the Avalon didn't, the only thing i can think is because mine has an optional external power steering cooler & transmission cooler, i got higher volume fans or something. I had just got home from work, a friend of mine was busting my chops asking about a Camry wagon with a V6, i looked at it, etc and noticed the condenser fan. I crashed not long after 🤣🤣🤣 Well we're in stage 4 lockdown so i can't do much. Why not strike a convo with the boys ? Naturally i would have presumed so, but i know the starlet had an external condenser fan lol 3 examples, 2 have it but alot of the other ones don't. Strange 🤣🤣 Or like i predicted the fans are completely different, they have a more generic low volume fan. Avalon had Lexus ES300 fans which are higher flow, either sold as 1 twin unit or 2 seperate ones. In my case 2 seperate fans with the same design blade. (Example A) XV20 (Example B) XX10 & later fitted to the XV30 Camry
  3. TommyM
    I actually have a completely stupid question to ask. Am i the only one who thinks it's odd that the Camry of the same era had the same dual cooling fans (V6) and seperate condenser fan mounted up front, where as the Avalon just had twin electric fans ? I noticed it the other day now i think about it. Any light would be appreciated. MCX10R (Avalon) twin electric, but no condenser fan ?, could be the blade design is higher volume thus not needing a 3rd ?. XV20 (Camry 4cyl/V6) twin electric & third seperate condenser fan. XV30 (Camry 4cyl/V6) twin electric ?, not sure if they retained the third condenser fan.
  4. TommyM
    Couldn't agree more, no excuse why people can't afford quality tyres if they've spent 50k+ on a new SUV 🤣 I see older Falcons, Commodores, Camrys, etc with higher quality tyres than i do newer cars (the old timers didn't skimp out), this excludes the skid pig editions which i have no sympathy for lol, the rare responsible driver that is 🤣
  5. TommyM
    By the book they were designed for 5w30 (preferred), 10w30, 15w40 or 20w50 But that was back in 2005 Since then there's better alternatively 5w40, 10w50, 0w40, 0w30, etc etc I'm not running a 50 weight, i want a 40 weight that's closer to a 30 weight which the Mobil 1 0w40 is. Hence why i chose it. I've had plenty sucess with this oil, so i'm using it. Car doesn't leak any fluids at all, had the engine completely resealed as a preventative (rocker cover gaskets, crank seals, cam seals, etc)
  6. TommyM
    Hey the Avalon is a bit of a project at the moment, but don't worry, when everything is done how i want it, i'll be sure to forward through some pics 😉 Oh i agree, the Avalon has alot of Lexus ES300 tech ripped straight out of it. Atleast on the Grande trim level, number one obvious thing is Toyota/Lexus's "Optitron" instrument cluster. And a few other small details. But thick, soft & durable leather you just don't get anymore. It's that thin stuff that feels & looks like vinyl, or half of it synthetic material. Just need to get a few things done 😉 Every engine gets warm, but the rear bank tends to get a little toastier than usual because all the heat off the cats reflects up on the firewall. It's not an issue obviously, doesn't affect air con performance which in old school Toyota form is over poweringly cold 🤣🤣 I'm sticking with how Toyota maintained it, and obviously the other elderly guy knew too about the potential sludging issues (less common on the revised 1MZ) (post 2002). Some were 15k, but every record i have were between 7500k - 8500k. So i'm sticking to it, even though i feel for the poor ***** 🤣 I'm the same, i let the idle come right down from it's "cold start" idle. And wait about 15mins before i push it a bit, if need be, but usually i don't. I can be heavy footed at times, hence why i'm going to a group IV/V full synthetic not a highly refined group III But most 0w40, 0w30, etc are a group IV/V true synthetic. Hence why i've chosen Mobil 1 0w40. Better suits my driving style periodically. Doesn't burn anymore oil than the owners manual states, 0.5L every 1500km or whatever they have stated, which is normal operation. It's alot less than plenty other cars i see 🤣
  7. TommyM
    A wide berth ?, more like a titanic girth 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Exactly why i'm always extra cautious of dickheads. Even the slow idiots that do 60 in an 80k zone. I'm a confident & safe driver even though sometimes i can be a lead foot, you're allowed to accelerate however up to the speed limit 🤣
  8. TommyM
    I spend good money on good rubber, the continentals on my Avalon at the moment are great. Low noise, good grip, etc They're NOT one of them rubbish "economy aiding" tyres, they're more a sportier better grip focused tyre. No excuse why soccer dads/mums can't afford new tyres, they forked out 40k+ on an SUV. My car is at risk due to their stupidity. One reason we pay so much for insurance 🤣🤣🤣
  9. TommyM
    Buy new, don't make the mistake i see far to often. Brand new/near new SUV's with basically bald rubber yet they have children in the back ?, pathetic. I wouldn't say sludged up, but definitely that premature brown staining on the top end, etc
  10. TommyM
    Well a 2020 Camry SL V6 starts at around 45k before options, fees, etc (made to order not a demo) And a 2020 Kluger Grande starts at around 68k before options, fees, etc (made to order, not a demo) Considering the common powertrain, almost 70k for a jacked up minivan platform ?, get real 🤣🤣🤣🤣 (figuratively speaking)
  11. TommyM
    HAHAHAHAHAHAHA 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Yeah basically every soccer mum car owner, cheapest possible maintenance. When realistically they're getting ripped off hardcore buying a crossover/SUV. When a Camry fully equipped has a price tag 20k cheaper lol Roughly anyway. Same 3.5L V6, 8sp auto, etc
  12. TommyM
    It's your car, service it when YOU want, don't let dealerships bully you. I do one service at a family mechanic for the past 20+ years & one at a dealership i know/trust. They've always been fantastic, i supply my own fluids but. Considering my Avalon has impeccable Toyota service history, i wana keep it at Toyota partially. Full synthetic all the way 😁
  13. TommyM
    I would never leave oil in my car for longer than 8000km, they stretch out intervals for "conserving resources", oil is cheap, a new engine isn't. I still do my oil changes every 7500km or 7 months, whatever comes first. Castrol oil is garbage, has been for years 🤣
  14. TommyM
    There was an article on it, trying to remember where i saw it.
  15. TommyM
    Well if that were my money i'd do what they do on the older Toyota's Half it to 7500km. Another thing that pisses me off is how Toyota went backwards on the latest Kluger stating they recommend 20w50 dino oil, all because owners of soccer mum cars were complaining about the price of oil. Older ones like the 1MZ strictly call for full synthetic for obvious reasons.
  16. TommyM
    Ahhhh that's alright then, not too bad of a spot. Atleast it's not an "intake manifold off" job 🤣
  17. TommyM
    Yeah the glycerine soap initially cleans so well, it's non dangerous to leather. So hence why i reccomend doing it. Takes time but deep cleaning it, the results speak for themselves in my case. My legs paid the price for how long it took but 🤣🤣🤣 I cleaned my wood steering wheel (which the Grande has), but put on a leather steering wheel cover which matches the interior to protect it better.
  18. TommyM
    On the 3.5L ?, jeez where did Toyota place it on them. On the 1MZ it's pretty easy to access/clean 😁
  19. TommyM
    Same, just finished the interior which took long enough. Pears glycerin soap to get deep into the leather, then a product i've used for years and highly recommend is oakwood leather conditioner, you can get a kit, fantastic stuff. It's a two step system but offers vast conditioning & protection. I wish i had of looked up front before i took the FR cooling fan out which was a bitch on the 4th bolt, only to find out the trans cooler was literally 5mins access 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Drained the transmission (run & flush), pump out the old stuff while filling new stuff, for now but i'll be doing the filter on the 7th. Bit of a waste, but it's definitely worth it, shifts so smoothly with Penrite Semi Syn ATF. But i will say, my Avalon does have some k's on it, but the engine is no where near tired, when that ACIS crossover kicks in, it pulls stupidly hard. Thanks Toyota for maintaining it properly, considering how much work was done in the last 2 years, i got it for an absolute steal 🤣🤣🤣
  20. TommyM
    VICTORIA being in lockdown is the definition of "*****" I don't wana see anyone, etc I simply want to go out for a nice long cruise, sunroof open, enjoying music & being in my own zone, but due to these stay at home rules, basically impossible 😒 I can't wait to cruise again.....
  21. TommyM
    Considered Continental Ultra Contact 6's ? They're not too bad on price. Or Cooper RS3-G1's ?
  22. TommyM
    Mobil 1 0w40 is a group 4 synthetic. I've never had an issue with Mobil oils, they're actually pretty good some of'em. Burned some cobwebs out today, i choose to run my Avalon on 98RON because they actually do alter timing, etc to compensate for higher octane. Less likely to ping/knock. Better & cleaner burn. High compression engines i generally prefer high octane fuel. Noticable smoother & more linear improvements in power/torque, definite increase in fuel economy. And no sulfur fart gas smell which i can't stand on cheap 91RON, makes me dry reach lol 🤣🤣🤣
  23. TommyM
    I've switched it to 0w40 off my own experience with engines that call for a light weight (5w), etc My rule and decision as to why, i was always told you can always go 5+/- of the winter oil spec (e.g calls for 10w30) but you decided on 5w30 or the nearest 15w whatever viscosity. But i decided 0w40 for the simple reason it covers my entire heat range. Also being a group 4/5 synthetic it's a true synthetic. It doesn't burn or leak a single drip. Hence why i decided on it, also i do know they love getting toasty on the firewall side, so it protects the engine better having the slightly heavier weight oil. I do push it sometimes so it's added piece of mind. Seen many lexus versions of the same non vvti 1MZ switch to 0w40 and boy they loved it. Shears down to a 30w by the time 7500km is up. Found out 2 things today on my Avalon which took me by suprise. Having a factory fitted towbar i wasn't expecting any external coolers. The towbar is coming off though. But nope, it has both an external transmission cooler & power steering cooler. Now i run/drain the tranny safely. Did it today, shifts brilliant. Did already but you can tell how much of an improvement semi synthetic or full synthetic fluids make. Extending my trans life drastically over the stock radiator only setup they have. I'm finding small quirks in an otherwise brilliant car. It suprised me believe me, wasn't expecting it at all 🤣 But i'm so glad it does. After further research. Oil choice actually went to Mobil 1 0w40, it's a brilliant oil. Yes Penrite is good, but their 0w40 isn't friction modified. Transmission fluid is Penrite Full Synthetic ATF (meets or exceeds Toyota II/III & IV fluid.) Cleaned & throughly conditioned the leather Wednesday. Came up alot better than i was thinking. Soft, thick, supple leather. The stuff new Toyota's just don't have.
  24. TommyM
    They're actually a good all round tyre, haven't had many complaints so far, Noticeably better grip the road many Hankook, Kumho, etc. I would recommend them, previously worked for Mercedes-Benz, seen many cars come in with them on, pretty good in most applications. I'd definitely recommend them over Pirelli, which in my opinion are just garbage in every aspect. terrible wear, terrible grip and overall just a terrible tyre haha. but props to their marketing bull****. Personally i'm more either a Michelin Pilot Sport, Continental or Yokohama guy. but Michelin & Continental are my number one picks above any other tire if any of my mates asked my professional opinion. I'm not really a boy racer but i do prefer a tyre that has exceptional performance in terms of braking, safety, longevity (replace tyres every 8 years roughly), but most importantly grip and comfort levels. eco tyres designed for fuel economy are just toxic when it comes to what actually matters most, if people complain about fuel consumption... simple, don't own a car XD
  25. TommyM
    Agreed
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