Head Gasket / Engine issues

[Suzilize]

Hi,

 

Unfortunately the head gasket went on our Alphard beginning of December.  The garage has had it until now and phoned me today to say they have received the redipped head back now and can't fit it due to the thread on the block being seized.  They are now telling me I need a new engine. The engine they apparently have managed to find only holds a 30 day warranty aswell.  Any advice or thoughts please? Struggling as dont know anything about engines so feel like we are being taken for a ride. Thanks

[John Hollis]

Hi, I'm new on the scene, and haven't even got my Alphard yet, but I have been doing a lot of research. I came across a document which explained a number of possible engine problems. I don't know whether you have the 2AZ-FE engine. If the bolts on the engine block fail the answer proposed by Toyota was to drill them out and put in inserts. They don't due that now given the age, but I saw the other day that quite expensive kits (£276 + 50 postage) were  available on ebay (oversize drill for the hole, tapping a new hole and putting inserts in). If you put this idea in front of your garage, they might decide to try it. One is called Time Sert Toyota 2AZ-FE. The idea is to drill out the existing thread wider and deeper and then tap a bigger thread, then insert a cylindrical tube threaded on the inside and outside. So it sits in the thread just made and receives on its inside a replacement thread, similar to the original, but longer and hence stronger. If you only have one bolt sheared maybe the garage can buy a cheaper version for the right sized bolt. They just need the right dimension for the drill to suit the hole to be tapped. As well as having the right -sizes tap, but that is easy enough. Prices start around £40 for generic e-bay Time Sert equipment  - inserts, drills, taps. Hope this helps. 

[MonsterS]

It's the exact same engine as the lexus rx300 or rs300 if you have the 3l version. 

 

Would be worth googling that engine. Or as John said drill the bolts out. I did this on our previous estima and took me half a day to drill them all out and retap them. 

 

Cheaper than a new engine. 

[Suzilize]

Its the 2.4 version. Thanks both

[John Hollis]

Here is a copy of the report I found on engine failures.  It gives some clues as to how avoid problems as well as how to solve some of them.  Especially never use the engine as a brake, it sucks up all the oil with the high vacuum created and burns it off on the piston rings!  Looks like you should regularly clean out the soot in the pistons with special cleanser before refilling the oil. And maybe use a lighter oil with more viscosity, 0/W30 although that isn't totally clear to me. Anyway, you can form your own opinions. Perhaps MonsterS you can give me a steer as to whether this report should be more widely distributed. Or whether it might just frighten all the readers to death! 

1206360494_ToyotaAZseriesengine.pdf

[Suzilize]

This saga is not ending, the garage sent the engine block off to reverse repaired, they have put it back together and have now found the radiator has a crack in it.  They have quoted me £500 to replace this now.  Along with the £1750 they are charging me for the head / engine repair? Any thoughts on whether this is reasonable? 

 

Thanks all

[John Hollis]

The engine cost is similar to the prices mentioned in the report I sent you. Do you have any idea why the head blew. Any very high speeds runs? Going down a hill using the engine braking? 

[Gerrymclean]

 

Hi Suzlize my name is Gerry mclean. I posted  about 2azfe engines recently and oil burning issues. Pleases attached Wikipedia entry about these engines.

[Kathy]

I have a alphard with head gasket going anyone know how and where I could sell it ?

[Rojie]

 

Hello Kathy,

 

Welcome to the Forum.

[Oscary12]

Hi I am looking to source a radiator for a 
Toyota Alphard 2.4 AXL EDITION IMPORT on a 56 plate . 
 

Vehicle exported from Japan to UK and converted to LPG

Any ideas where I can buy a radiator?

 

many thanks 

 

[Picasso]

Google auto jap spares coventry they have stock 

[ThuMentaliss]

Without wishing to sound condescending I feel really sorry for the folks who bought the 2.4 versions of the Alphard as this engine version is well-known to be underpowered and suffers with high failure rate particularly in countries like Australia and New Zealand where they sell in abundance, how do I know this ? Because relatives of ours live in Sydney. Can I ask if anyone has thought about purchasing some sort of maintenance/repair Warranty, I can't help Suzilize but my advice to her if possible is to purchase a low mileage or reworked engine from a reputable car engineering firm

[Chad]

I have heard before ,people saying a 2.4 ltr is underpowered, but this is not my experience . I bought my 2007 2.4ltr in July and found it pulled and accelerated fine, even after I had an LPG conversion. It overtakes without a problem always feels as there is plenty in reserve  if needed. On a motorway I cruise doing 50-70mph, mind you when I take this out I am in no particular rush to get anywhere🙂

As for reliability touch would encountered no problems with engine so far.