JohnCW

Old thread, but what the heck .... Yes, fit a quality well designed (meaning not a cheapie) catch can like the Provent 200. The VERY reason a catch can is needed is because it is a "modern" diesel, where the ERG valve is directing recycled exhaust back into the intake manifold which intersect with the positive crankcase fumes that are entering the intake manifold (via the turbo charger - intercooler - throttle body). The result of this oily intake air hitting hot exhaust gas creates a massive buildup of oily black sludge in the throttle body and intake manifold. Perhaps not a big deal for simple on road driving, but certainly an issue if the motor has to work hard (and increased crankcase pressures)

Really old thread, but just for the sake of anyone who comes across it when searching ....... A 2003 or similar Prado Diesel has a 4 speed automatic gear box. When towing up any hill (or even into the wind with a decent load) the box will automatically shift back into 3rd gear and because there is no automatic torque converter lockup, the torque converter will slip like buggery. The gearbox will rapidly overheat if allowed to run like this for extended periods. As soon as the gearbox automatically shifts back to 3rd, or even better when the driver anticipates it will (which means any incline on the open road or speed under 80kph) manually shift back to 3rd gear. Doing so invokes a torque converted lockup. Drive in 3rd gear at any speed under 80 kph e.g in town, when towing a decent load.

Been some time since you asked this question, but what the heck. How many kilometres have you got on the vehicle? Being now 5 or 6 year old I'm guessing probably something like 100,000 k's at least. So regardless, time for a intake manifold clean, new glow plugs and injectors. Common rail injectors have a MUCH harsher life than the 'old school' mechanical ones. All jobs that a competent person can do themselves, other than recoding the replacement injector calibration codes into the ECU (unless you have a professional grade scan tool). Just take a picture of the codes (on the top of each injector) and record which cylinder the injector was fitted, and then take it somewhere that has a suitable scan tool to do it when the job is finished e.g. diesel shop, auto-electrician. If the cost of this task freaks you out, think what a replacement engine (due to oil starvation) will cost if you do have an uncorrected problem. To monitor for problems caused by leaking common rail injectors the oil pickup screen should be routinely inspected each oil change (just via a borescope up the oil drain plug hole), and you can bet the Toyota service department isn't doing that.

I have a 2004 Prado VX in White Pearl. Paint started to peel some years ago, worst area being the roof, but basically every panel that gets sun exposure. I repaired it myself, and the result is as good as any professional job. It CAN be done. I had zero spray painting experience prior to this exercise. However I do recommend learning on some old two coat system car first if possible, before tackling the more technical White Pearl which is a 3 coat system (base, pearl, clear coat). Between a bit of trial and error (being prepared to redo areas that weren't right), a very helpful guy at the auto paints seller, and the internet I was able to get all the necessary knowledge to do a professional job in the driveway at home.