JOHN TURNER

Hi Nev, yes I think I shall talk to a mobile mechanic and see if I can get an oil change and do the stat at the same time,, I have an oil filter already and when I was sourcing parts somehow AI became involved and told me where to get original toyota parts and it happens to be a motor factors I've used before and told me the price and part number, so it may be the way to go, I'm not great with computers as only really started using them 5 years ago, I was trained as a pneumatic and hydraulic fitter and precision engineer in the 70's, was brought up in road transport and done many different jobs, also a TIG welder, paint processor and colour matcher, Ahh all sorts, hee hee, I have always checked the oil when they are cold but have read the same from hot leave for 5-10 mins but I think a good service is in order, I may be able to get the guy to put new return pipes on an old terrano I have as the mice have eaten mine, just been pulling out bramble today and cooking sunday lunch so shall have a look at the toyota tommorow, I was with a garage for 25 years and he retired, so went to a dealership and paid top price for my 2003 2ltr petrol mitsubishi io, and they did a poor job as I didn't tell them what I used to do, last year went to a first fix place but they make money out of parts so I can't trust them to get the best, it's terrible, I was wondering if I could get the radio system sat nav reprogrammed? or just do it all separate with new units, both vehicles try talking to me but it's all in japanese so can't understand what there saying,:-) anyway thanks for your input Big Nev. yours john.

Hi Nev, I think it was due to not much oil being in there as well, the guy must have ramped it up from wales when delivering,It didn't go all the way up but 3/4 of the way up the gauge with the fan on, but slow to warm in winter and with the latest hot weather when I stopped and started again the fan came on, I just need to be sure it's ok, It could be an age thing as it's 2007 , also difficult to get under as it has the skirts on it and was supplied by a specialist dealer in japan hence the Alphard(v). I was thinking of getting the parts and getting a mobile mechanic to do it as there are a couple locally, also do the oil at the same time, sorry to hear about your arthritis, It's terrible rheumatoid last 3 years and osteo from an accident in 1974, (RTA) and have done heavy work all my life, thank you for your reply and wish you well, yours john.

Thank you steve, Yes I was thinking of changing the thermostat, can't do a lot these days I'm 68 and have joint problems, It's only done 27 ,000 miles and I think it was a taxi, but I think it was possibly run on 0-20 sae oil for mpg, It did run low after it was delivered and I suspect it was driven hard on a hot day, was much better when I filled up with 10-30 sae,I have a new oil filter and was going to try and change my selfe, I don't think the stat was opening properly as in the winter it was taking a while to warm up, as I want to use it to go round europe I need to make sure it's ok, since my normal mechanic closed 5+ years ago it's been hard to find a good one, I am a member of the AA and maybe should ask them? Having worked on vehicles since I was 15 It's difficult to let someone else do things as they just want to get the money, I was thinking of getting owners manuals in english as it may help, I was also wondering if the radio system/sat nav can be reprogrammed? Looking at getting an overdrive fitted to make it easier on the engine, I did a check from the auction house that it came through in japan and nothing came up there, thanks for your correspondence steve, your john.

Thank you chris, I did think of that as it takes a long time for it to warm up in the winter, also trying to find someone in my area who are good with alphards as it could do with a service, I live nr st briavels gloucester, I did change the air filter as the old one was very dirty with a little oil on it, Is it true that you test the oil level when hot? sorry so many questions, I am 68 and worked on vehicles all my life but arthritis issues get in the way, I haven't done many miles since last year and it's only at 44,500 kms (27.000 miles) I was going to use it to go round europe so I need to make sure it's in tip top condition, thank you yours john.

Hi, I bought my 2007 Alphard v last year and when the weather is warm/ hot the fan comes on when stopped and starting again, it did overheat last year, low oil just after it was dropped off from dealer, it's only done 44,500kms and is a import, is there anything I can test myself ?