Rojie

Hello Stuey, Welcome to the Forum.

How many miles has your Alphie done ?

I am currently in discussions with a UK manufacturer of gas struts. I am looking to replace my tail gate struts as my gate operation is rather jerky and does not open fully. I have a Gen 1 facelift. I have supplied approximate dimensions, and received an estimated price. I would be extremely grateful if any member could provide me with an unwanted strut. I'll pay the postage. Condition is not important, but the item needs to be dimensionally intact. In my opinion, although these are not as inexpensive as some sourced from a well known foreign ebay type business. They are considerably less costly than Toyota OEM parts. Feel free to send a PM if you prefer. I will not be selling these items, or acting as an agent; but will disclose the supplier (if it all pans out).

Both Starider and I have facelifted Gen1 though. I assume the size is different, nice id they are identical sizes. I need to look at the rear of a Gen 2.

Hi Nigel, Sorry to hear this problem still persists ! If the 'smoke' is white, and not blue (or darker) it is almost certainly steam. Some exhaust systems seem to retain water, or moisture, in the pipework, probably overnight condensation. (You haven't got any local mischief makers with a water pistol, squirting water into the tail pipe). As the engine warms up, it boils off quite quickly. The colder the temperature the more steam you will get as, of course, the engine is breathing air and any moisture therein. I am not a mechanic, but if this white smoke does not persist after the engine is fully warm I would not worry about it. If it does persist, or is present when starting a warm engine, I would start to worry about a head gasket. However, the garage three result seems to confirm that a head gasket failure is not the problem. Did garage three test all six cylinders for pressure ? The new E10 fuel, I have read, can 'deposit' small amounts of water in the bottom of the petrol tank; but mainly when the vehicle is left for some period of time unused. You could try E5 after running your tank quite low. I am not aware of how to rid any water from the tank! Have you held your hand very close to the exhaust pipe outlet. BE CAREFUL. What, if anything, gets deposited on your hand, or GLOVE. These 3.0L engines are, I have read, very fussy about their oil, otherwise gelling can occur. Nov's video above deals with this. Frequent oil changes are necessary. Did I ask you your current mileage ? I can't see why you should not be changing your oil and filter. You will need 4.7L of oil for both filter and sump. Is your oil pressure OK. Red light should be on before you start engine, and should go off immediately engine starts, and it should stay off; no flickering. It is proving quite a mystery !

Hi Starider, No, sorry. Nothing to say other than there are some threads on here discussing this. I am looking at small tents but only so I can 'unload' on arrival at camp sites. Hopefully, some awning users will respond to your enquiry.

Hi Chris, Nice to hear from you again. I have my doubts about these, but if I needed one, I'd go for the first. It's only £20, plus postage!

Hello and welcome to the Forum.

Hi Picasso, Do you have a suggestion where Andy could get this work done ? Thanks in advance

Toyota part number – 08886-81210 £16.00 for a litre. I think it is the same as ATF, auto transmission fluid, but do check before using as I may be wrong.

https://www.toyotanation.com/threads/power-steering-fluid-colour-wtf.145943/#:~:text=Power steering fluid can either, are the hardest to locate. Red or pink ! I read (sorry for the pun) up on this and apparently Toyotas are not too fussy about the fluid. BUT what I read may not have been referring to an Alphie. I'll see what Toyota Direct has available for you.

Hi Jig, Welcome to the Forum. 2.5L or 3.5L, both chain driven; or a Hybrid of course.

Thanks for finding this. I had it in 'my minds eye' but just could not locate it. I looked everywhere. The caravan looks huge !

Hi Groucho, I hope you get an helpful answer from Toyota, but I doubt you will. Their attitude to Grey imports is often somewhat 'hands off'. However, I am hoping that some of our non UK members may be able to help you with an answer; as I believe, the Japanese imports don't have a European style VIN plate. But other Asian nations may have better 'Vin plates'. You may find the link below informative, but is does not answer your question. https://www.trailertrek.co.uk/towing-weights/. Your ability to tow can also depend on your Driver's Licence, and your age.

Thank you Peter, Welcome to the Forum.

Hi Gruf, Welcome to the Forum

It may help if your wife adds some fluid (get more then you need) while you check for leaks underneath. Run the car up a curb and lie in the gutter ! Capacity is 1.0 Litre. Good Luck

Hi Andy, I don't know why it would leak. Is it a high mileage vehicle ? I am not aware of a common fault like this, but, to be honest, I wouldn't be. When did you last check your fluids ? From the sudden effect your wife experienced is seems something burst, not leaked. Some Toyota Dealers will work on Alphards, many won't. You may need a competent garage to take a look underneath at the piping etc. When was your last MOT, because leaks and steering issues would be noted, for sure. I don't have a maintenance manual yet, we are hoping for one this year, so I don't even know how the steering pump is powered. It may help you to understand the steering system parts, if you can read mechanical drawings, by looking at the ToyotaAlphardEPC.com. I'll take a look myself. Yes, it's pulley driven. Take at look at the EPC, it should help you understand the 'geography and assembles that constitute the power steering system. BfN

Hi Andy, Toyota Power Steering Fluid is what the owners manual states. No specs i'm afraid ! Perhaps from Toyota Direct if you are not close to your 'local' dealership

Toyota Super Long Life Coolant.

Hello Des, Welcome to the Forum. I am thinking a long small bore pipe made of polyethylene, or something similar. I have never had the problem so don't know how infeasible my suggestion may be. Do you know where the water is getting in ?

Hi Gary, Welcome to the Forum. You probably have a 2.4L engine. Regarding your battery. If you have power sliding doors, power tail gate, and power most other things; go for the largest that will fit in the engine bay. If your Alphie has the original Japanese battery, you may need different sized terminals as well. However, there is a thread on here, somewhere, where members have suggested batteries for us all to consider. Good Luck. Happy Alpharding.

Hi Starrider, and fellow members, If you are considering buying McGard locking wheel nuts for your beloved Alphie this will be of interest to you. I have solved the mystery of why my mechanic could not fit the locking wheel nuts ! With my first set one of the washers would not pass over the new security nut, I returned them, as agreed with the vendor, and await my refund. The second set, sourced direct from Germany, could not, initially, be fitted either ! Why ? If you refer to the photo above, the original nut (on the left) has a captive washer, the new security nut does not. The lateral play on the original washer is almost zero. The lateral play on the security nut is probably about a sixteenth of an inch. When fitting the new nut, there is a distinct tendency for the washer to fall from the nut and drop onto the thread of the wheel bolt. In such a position, it is impossible to tighten the new security nut ! You may be lucky as this does not happen every time, but when it does .... So, while resting on your hands and knees you have to manually lift the washer (while the nut is in the way) and hold it in the correct position while you hand tighten the new nut. NOT particularly easy. So, just imagine you have a flat tyre, on the offside, in the pouring rain, on a windy day, on a very busy A road, in the dark (holding a torch) !!! Even one of the rescue services will not find the task easy !. So, as Starider says, you MUST keep at least one of the original nuts which will fit perfectly, without hassle. When safe, the original nut can be replaced with the security nut. I suggest the security key and one original nut are kept in a very accessible place. So, whilst I feel the product is actually quite good, I cannot recommend it as fitting it in an emergency situation could be very difficult. In an emergency, I suppose, you could run to safety with only four wheel nuts. I wouldn't, and I don't think my insurance company would be too pleased either.

Hi Arthur, Serves you right for converting that Bentley Bentayga ! Seriously, if you do have a conversion try Scenic, part of LV; but they do have a maximum insured value (and your Bentley is sure to exceed it).

Hello Starider, good morning. No I haven't. My policy, with all my vehicles, is leave well alone. If any need attention, I get a professional to do the job; otherwise things tend to get worse !