Rojie

This is an extract from the Renewable Fuels Association in the US. Perception Ethanol destroys Air Mass Sensors and O2 Sensors. FACTS: This statement is only not true, it’s impossible. Mass Air Flow Sensors & Oxygen (O2) Sensors were developed and designed to measure the total amount AIR flowing into an engine and the amount of OXYGEN leaving an engine through the exhaust, respectively. AIR and OXYGEN…gases, not fuel/liquid. Neither are part of the liquid fuel system. The Mass Air Sensor is mounted outside the engine and has absolutely no physical connection with its liquid fuel system. Nothing other than fresh-filtered air touches the Mass Air Flow Sensor. Simplified, this sensor’s job is analogous to that of ticket takers at the theater. They count the number of heads entering the theater while others (O2 sensors) count the per-ticket cash. Heads-in / cash-out should balance. By measuring how much air goes in and at what temperature, the vehicle’s on-board computer can compare how much air leaves the engine and adjust fuel flow volume. It’s that simple. And to underscore the ridiculousness of the “damage” myth is that an ethanol molecule itself contains 35% oxygen and it evaporates at 174° F, leaving zero trace of emissions. If the above is correct, and I want to believe it, there is probably another reason why Alphards are encountering O2 sensor failures. More reading needed !

Just to add to the confusion.... The RON of Japanese High Octane fuel (96) is almost the same as the UK Regular fuel (95). So, it seems, that suggests the octane level is not the issue. So does the Increased ethanol content damage the engine of fuel system? Picasso says it does, and I have no reason to doubt him. However, I attach an interesting article from the US NREL that suggests E10 is fine in (an albeit older) 1MZ FE engine fitted to a Toyota Camry. I need to reread it regarding oxygen sensors. 1MZ FE is the engine in the earlier 3 litre Alphards until 2008 I have no objection to using a higher cost fuel, but am intrigued why the oxygen sensors are affected. Maybe they are sensitive to the difference in the composition of the exhaust gases beyond the oxygen levels. I thought E10 was about reducing noxious emissions. Me, what will I do? Run an alternating fuel strategy to reduce the effects, if any, on my entire fuel system; until, of course, we are all better informed. I will be asking my Toyota dealer tomorrow regarding Lexus and Camry engines. Respectfully Roger 1675062283_1MZFEEngine.pdf

About £290, I believe.

Who has been the owner for the last year ?

Which head unit do you have fitted ? A photo may be helpful

You should be OK. Which engine ?

I have a 2006. £500 ish per side !

Northstar Conversions, Isle of Wight. Not cheap ! They do them for the earlier model, hopefully for yours too. If anyone does them, they will.

Northstar Conversions, Isle of Wight. Not cheap !

You also get a 6 speed with the 3.5, whereas the 3 litre has a 5 speed.

There's a good English language handbook available on ebay. NZ ... £25, worth every penny

I agree with wjvh ! The guy in Bodmin is Toyota trained and qualified. Try your 'local' Toyota Dealer. They are either very helpful, or rather huffy about grey imports. Try Snows in Plymouth, I use their local site near me. Nice and helpful team.

I beieve all Aphards are Japanese Imports', so you are OK.

Thanks Janine, sorry to be so nosey ! I hope your R an R have lap belts, even if they will never be used, The MOT tester could fail you if not. DVLA has a few pages, if you are in doubt. I had to change my plans or risk a fail. Good Luck Rojie

Diesel, I think, not petrol, but if your vehicle is petrol a separate tank can be fitted.

Hi Janine, I just have to ask what are you trying to achieve with just the two rails ?

I can receive only one FM channel on my HDD unit. You can buy FM frequency (expander) shifters which, after fitting (which may be a challenge), will give you most, but not all, of the UK FM band. Check ebay, they are about 10 to 15 pounds.

Did you ever figure this out ? Neither of my rear lights operate ! Regards

I have bought from Naeem. I was nervous and had a AA report done. Not cheap. It did come back with some issues; which Naeem explained and fixed. In repairing the rear pins a connector had not been reconnected. A very careful inspection is worthwhile to minimise surprises. Most parts, so far, are available; but expensive I bought a 2006 MZ G edition, and have had no unexpected issues so far. Some Toyota dealers are very aloof, and unhelpful, with regard to Grey Imports. My local dealer has proved very helpful with getting a few small parts. Toyota Direct are also very helpful. You need to consider renewing the timing belt (and water pump) at the same time (£525 plus vat). According to my dealer every 100,000 miles or every 10 years. As with any car dealer, once you have made your purchase you are usually 'on your own'. This forum is a wealth of information, if you can find it, and if you can understand it! Good Luck, Happy Alphing

Hi Bounzy, I would need your model number (without the serial number); MNH10, ANH10, etc. Thanks but I have found some locally.

Hi, so sorry for my late answer. too busy visiting the convertor to read my emails! I was not ignoring you. Firstly, 'my' convertor is extremely busy, and I hope you and any others reading this don't jump ahead of me in his queue. Dave, owns Matrix Carpentry, in Dawlish. He is on Facebook I believe. Also on the Internet. Roger

Orvis, not Orville !

I have been looking into this too. Lots of places on the internet do rubber matting; various thicknesses. However, they are expensive and you will need to cut out all the slots for the seat runners yourself. I concluded that would be very difficult to do so and to look very professional. I will be buying a huge dog hammock from Orville to sling between the first two rows of seats. I have dog hammocks in my other cars, they are not perfect, but work very well. If you need 'normal' rubber floor mats; I have not seen any for the Alphard during my extensive searches. Good luck Roger

Bounzy, I might be interested in your middle seats, but only if they swivel ! Do they ? If so, what colour scheme are they ? Is your Alphard a seven or eight seater ? Best regards Roger

I do not know if you can hook up your phone to the HDD HU via Bluetooth. Was Bluetooth around in 2003, or earlier when your vehicle was designed. Were I Phones or Android available back then. I'm too old to remember ! The unit does support phones, although, I suspect only in Japan; but I am guessing. I have not tried any phone connections so cannot advise. I was fixated with having an all singing set up. Now , I will be going for separate approaches to Sat Nav, HiFi and TV. I have not even tried to get the TV working. I suspect it won't. Probably, but i do not know, TV and DVD will not function if the vehicle is in motion.