John Harrison

There was an after market switch and a thick cable fitted, so he used that. It's handy to know it's there though.

John H

Hi. I have a 2008 2.4 Vellfire. When I bought it it had 26" and 16" blades. The 26" one was skipping. I changed the blades o 28" ones to cover more of the screen, which they sid but not a lot of difference.

When I looked at the actual blade, it wasn't square to the screen. I decided to bend the arm so it was parallel to the screen and blade was 90° to the screen. The wipers were then quiet and cleaned the whole of the screen. The other blade is a 16" (actually 15.5").

Over the years I have adjusted dozens of wipers like this for friends. The wipers seem to last longer too!

Also, it's amazing how many garages don't know how to adjust wipers!

John Harrison. Wirral.

PS. Lidl have Michelin wipers on offer now for 6.99 per blade...Time to stock up!!!

A mate of mine has a 2.5 petrol BMW, also newer than mine, and has to pay the £12.75!

John H

On 10/4/2023 at 4:30 PM, Jenny Smedley said:

Hi, can anyone untangle the road tax situation now? We've just been charged £325 for a year - mostly it seems because we've been put in band I for emissions and because our car is counted as having been first registered 2021, when of course it's a 2007 car. It's also a 2.4 engine, so it seems a bit unfair. Also we can't fathom if it will always be this expensive now or if that's just for the first year. 

My Vellfire is about the same price but it has 8 seats.

I am going to London in a few weeks and looked on T

On 10/4/2023 at 5:19 PM, Rojie said:

 

Hi Jenny,

 

What was it last year ?

 

I seem to recall about 290, so in these times of high(er) inflation, 325 sounds about right !!

My Vellfire is a 2008, 2.4, but got 8 seats. I'm paying the same price as you. 

I don't think it has anything much to do with emissions, as I looked at London's ULEZ website and my car (you have to put in your reg No.) passed the emissions test. 

Japanese regs are tighter than European regs so I don't have to pay the £12.75 charges when I go to London later in the month. My son on the other hand has a 2013 2litre diesel Golf estate and has to pay the £12.75!

I think they make it up as they go along!

John Harrison. WIRRAL

Hi. I have a 2008 Vellfire 2.4.

Unfortunately, my after market rear fog lamp fell off the other week. The metal bracket rust away.

I looked around for a pair of better ones.

On ebay I found a set of new body fitted fog lights for a VW Transporter. I had to buy the lights and the lamp holders separately, and had them fitted by a local body repair shop. He was as nervous as me cutting into the back bumper but he did and they clipfit in well. The metal panel behind had to be tapped in about 4mm so holder didn't foul, but it hasn't affected the bodywork.

The person who did the job said all the wiring was already in the harness, so it was just a matter of plugging it in.

It cost me £47 for lights and £90 for the fitting (including delivery home!)

The lights clip out to change bulbs.

My rear fogs work well and will not get knocked off again!!!

John Harrison. Wallasey, Wirral.

PS. Sorry aboutthe muck on my Vellfire in the pictures. Had just come back from Manchester Airport and hadn't had chance to clean it!!!

Hi. There isn't another key in thr car is there?

John Harrison. 2.4 Vellfire

On 9/5/2023 at 9:24 PM, Rojie said:

 

Hello Daniel,

 

FORGET IT.

 

Please read the Forum before you make any changes.

 

You have a facelifted Gen 1. One of the photos is a Gen 1. The other is Gen 2.

 

Many members who own lowered Alphies complain of 'grounding' issues and harshness of the ride.

Lowering can be achieved with wheel/tyre change combinations and/or suspension modifications.

My guess is, the above vehicles features both.

 

Changing your mind after each course of action is likely to cost you dearly; certainly over a thousand for each approach.

 

The first pot-hole or 'sleeping policemen' you encounter will demonstrate my point.

 

Whatever you decide. GOOD LUCK.

 

Please read what Forum members have to say before parting with your cash.

Hi. My 2008 Vellfire 2.4 had the wrong tyres on it when I bought it. It had 205x 55 17s. It was grounding on most things. I put the correct 215x 60x 17s on it and now, no  problem!

It doesn't seem like much of a change, but I'm also getting 5 mph more than the speedo was showing; checked by GPS. I fitted a cruise control lever to my Velly (They are plug & play for £7; all rhe wiring is already in the loom!) All Japanese cruise controls are factory set st 68mph. Mine now does 68mph; before, with the wrong tyres, it was doing only 63mph!

Usually, if you want bigger wheels, you need lower tyre wall. If wheels change from 17"x 60mm tyre wall, to 18" (25mm more diameter) then the tyre wall depth has to reduce by 1" (25mm) to 18" x 35mm. This will hopefully keep the outer tyre diameter the same, but give a bigger wheel. Anything larger will require a lot of hassle with suspension, etc. Itcwill also make the car go faster than the speedo shows and make you liable to get speeding fines!!!

The lower tyre wall will also give a stiffer, noisier ride.

Hope this has been a help?

On 9/1/2023 at 11:14 AM, Gregster said:

Thank you very much!

I am not sure I will recover from this as per trust. The newer versions are out of my pocket. A normal petrol type I may consider but it has to have a foolproof service history and conditions...All I am seeing these days are desperate posts about head gaskets and sorts...meaning that those advertisements saying that low milage and wonderful and hardly used are just lies...

Hi. I have just looked at the ULEZ site, and if you put in your car reg number, it will tell you instantly, Yes or No.

Mine is a 2008 2.4 auto Vellfire and had a YES and nothing to pay!

Jap emissions regs are much tighter than UK regs so I think that is why? My Velly has done 89,000 and passed!

Have a check...Good Luck?

John Harrison. Wallasey, Wirral.

On 7/29/2023 at 12:47 PM, Jenny Smedley said:

Hi Can anyone tell me if our 2.4 Alphard 2007 has a belt or a chain please? Our son just had a belt fail on his Citroen and now we're worried. Hopefully our lovely car has a chain!

Hi. CHAIN! You're safe!!!

Best wishes

John Harrison. Wallasey, Wirral.

On 8/6/2023 at 9:39 PM, drew12 said:

ANCEL JP700 JOBD OBD2 Japanese Car Scanner, JDM Automotive Code Reader Check Engine Light OBDII Diagnostic Scan Tool fit for Toyota Nissan Honda Mazda Subaru Vehicle Diagnosis https://amzn.eu/d/2kEDJcg

 

 

Is this the correct reader ?

I'll ask my lad. He's the techy!

John H

Other owners may be able to confirm this?

JBH.

1 hour ago, drew12 said:

I've not checked the to see if the earths are tight to be honest I've noticed there is about 4 or 5 of them though 

Hi. I've been told that Jap vehicles have to have a different diagnostics plug in to ours. They can be bought on the internet, I believe?

John Harrison. Wirral.

Hi. My 2008 (AH20) Vellfire 2.4 has a timing chain. I'm pretty certain all the 2.4 models have them?

John Harrison. Wallasey, Wirral.

Hi. I have got a 2008 2.4 Vellfire and have got to go to Harrow in a few weeks to help with a family house clearance. Are there any charges down there? My reg is DF08ZJK

On 7/12/2023 at 1:19 PM, JoKing said:

Thanks, I think we're getting at least 8 miles / litre.  So that's about 70 miles.

 

No need to panic when the light comes on then 🙂

Hi. 1 UK Gallon=4.546 litres

The handbook for my 2.4 Vellfire says they do a max of 33mpg. I have confirmed this several times on runs. Round town this may be less???

John Harrison. Wallasey

On 7/2/2023 at 5:34 PM, Thomas said:

Anyone have suggestions on how to clean headlights. My headlights seem to have a gold/bronze colour I have tried McGuire’s headlight cleaner etc.  maybe they are supposed to be that colour any ideas welcome

Hi. Mine need doing again as I didn't get time to lacquer them after cleaning last time.

A gentle abrasive is required to removed the old lacquer, a polish up, wash and re-laquer, then done.

Someone suggested to me that cheap toothpaste is abrasive enough to work, I tried it, and, hey presto, it worked!!! As I said, I didn't get round to laquering them, but will do again shortly. I masked off the painwork first and then rubbed in using a firm sponge.

Some people use a rotary polisher. It was hard work by hand, but only cost me 99p for the toothpaste!

I believe you can use TCut although that is much more expense; and believe it or not, the toothpaste smells better!!!

Halford or B&Q should be able to recommend a lacquer.

John Harrison. Wallasey, Wirral.

On 6/30/2023 at 10:56 AM, ThuMentaliss said:

Members might be interested to know my experience in asserting conformation if the drive belt on my P.U.T.A  3.0Ltr  Alphard has had its drive belt changed. So the issue is the stickers that the Japanese Technicians stick on the bonnet underside confirms the date and mileage they changed the belt, problem is it's in Japanese dialogue so does anyone know a translator?

 And what I've found during this journey of discovery is that every Technician/Garage services who I had spoken to declined to take this job on due mainly to is complexity and lack of knowledge of the procedure of work, So lovely looking vehicle drives nice cheap to purchase,..but anyone considering purchasing may be alarmed about the issues of very poor technical support,  Costly repairs, complete lack of vehicle customising parts (if that's your thing) poor fuel consumption.. I think I will go back to a VW or a Ford😔☹️

Hi. There is a translator on Google thst let's you use the camera on your phone, and instantly translates for you.

It's a bit 'Chinglish'; the odd word can be gibberish, but on the whole it is just point and read!

Good luck

John Harrison. Wallasey 

2008 Vellfire 2.4

22 hours ago, Rojie said:

 

I have a top of the range, Gen 1 facelift, with all the mod cons.

 

It has tilt steering but not 'telescopic' as you call it.

Maybe the Gen 2 models do. but I doubt it; but try one of those.

 

I would strongly advise against modifying the mounting, or remounting, the seat further back.

Safety being the issue, and, maybe, Insurance and MOT issues.

Hi. I have a basic 2008 Vellfire 2.4 AH20. I have just checked my steering wheel and it has tilt up and down, and is telescopic in and out too!

Hope this is a help!!!

John Harrison. Wirral.

Hi. I bought my 2008 2.4 Vellfire from these importers

http://britautotraders.co.uk

They are highly recommended and all cars vome with a full service, full valet and MOT. 

(Stereos changed at extra cost)

Example 2008 2.4  Alphard, White, elec doors all round, curtains

£9,995

Ring Charly Athuda

07578 942 466

4 hours ago, Rojie said:

All entries containing the Sales Pitch have been removed.

Thank you.JBH.

Hi. I have a 2008 2.4 Vellfire (AH20).

I have just fitted new rear discs and the parking brake pedal has lowered sightly and is closer to the floor.

Is there any adjustment on the brake shoes, or the brake cable?

John Harrison. Wirral

Hi. I have a 2008 2.4 Vellfire and have just fitted new rear discs. Since then the parking brake pedal has moved lower toward the floor. 

Is there any adjustment on the brake cable or shoes on the parking brake? Or is it that I need new shoes or cable?

John Harrison. Wirral

On 6/11/2023 at 1:04 PM, stopgapcat said:

Just be a bit wary of going for the smaller engine - I was advised by the company we got ours from that the smaller engine has to work harder, so might not be that much more efficient than the (absolutely lovely) 3.0 litre V6 - and for our year (2006), I understand that the 3.0 came with a five speed gearbox, whereas the 2.4 came with a for speed gearbox. 

Hi. Our Vellfire is a 2008 2.4 Petrol auto.

I fitted a £7.50 Cruise Control lever to our Vellie and never looked back. Around town I get about 25 to 28 mpg and on a run I am getting between 31 and 33 mpg. It does change down and rev quite highly on steep hills but I have been told by about 6 mechanics that this engine is bullet proof and as highly recommended by all of them. Each of them told me that I made the best choice as the 3.5 is thirsting and harder to work on as there is not as much space in the engine compartment.

I am not a mechanic, but I have had numerous types of vehicle over the years and the only one that gets close to the Vellfire was my Chrysler Grand Voyager 2.7 Diesel.

The Vellfire is one of the best I have had; like driving an armchair!!!

A wonderful vehicle.

John Harrison. Wallasey, Wirral.