
smurf
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Everything posted by smurf
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Odd steering issue, pulling left, ideas?
smurf replied to tarvos's topic in Toyota Alphard Club Forum (2002 - 2008)
If it exists, it will probably be somewhere on the website linked here -
It isn't easy to say without truly knowing how your brakes are performing, but I think you will find that this is just the way they are, and you aren't the first to comment on it. I can certainly sympathise as I have become used to cars with brakes that are very strong with little pedal pressure, and find braking in the Alphard reminds more of cars of old. Gentle pressure does very little, I've found, and I've got a hybrid that also has the advantage of regenerative braking at the same time.
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No it isn't. All Alphards are Euro 4 compliant, but earlier vehicles need the certificate of conformity from Japan to prove it to the DVLA, who will then update the information to make it ULEZ compliant. Loads of people have done it, but one example is here in the forum
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You get the Certificate of Conformity from here: https://japaninspection.org/certificate-of-conformity-coc/ Once you have that, you provide it to the DVLA and they will update your V5 to have ULEZ compliance. Having an LPG conversion doesn't make a difference either way.
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The rubber cover came out very easily. It is held in place by a couple of clips, one at each end. These clips are held in the gutter with adhesive pads and also need removing, but they can be easily levered out. I used sikaflex 522 adhesive. I had to drill a hole to accommodate the self tapper. It's only purpose was to hold the rail in place on the curved front end while the sealant went off, so you may find an alternative method could work. The rail has had some use this summer, and at time we were being battered by high winds, but the rail hasn't budged one bit.
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Help with rock & roll bed
smurf replied to Chrissie's topic in Toyota Alphard Club Forum (2002 - 2008)
I find I need to give the edge of the bed a shove with my knees as I pull on the cord. This helps with the initial lift, and once it has been raised up a few inches it then easily pulls upright with the cord. If you are finding it difficult to get it all the way back into position then the runners may need a bit of lubrication to help it to move freely. -
Hybrid Air Con Re-gassing advice please
smurf replied to PaulE's topic in Toyota Alphard Hybrid (2002 - 2008)
Approx £600 from AliExpress. See the most recent posts on this thread - -
A bit closer than London, but still not local https://www.facebook.com/100083159659072/posts/pfbid0jkFsojFALTHuiyhXs7z6BLrFH4X6FYsN88wSWBuoV7zmmz7yvGWrQ7iF9xjUEfBGl/?app=fbl
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Hybrid Air Con Re-gassing advice please
smurf replied to PaulE's topic in Toyota Alphard Hybrid (2002 - 2008)
It isn't possible to get a regas without a pressure test as it a requirement of how the machines work. The machine removes the gas and oil, puts the system under vacuum, and waits. If it loses vacuum it will not put gas back in. This is to stop the unnecessary release of refrigerants into the atmosphere. If you put the heater temp to max it should drive the flap all the way in one direction. If you then put the temp to LO, it should drive the flap completely in the other direction. If it is doing this, and you still don't get cold air on LO, there is something else going on. -
Hybrid Air Con Re-gassing advice please
smurf replied to PaulE's topic in Toyota Alphard Hybrid (2002 - 2008)
If the heater doesn't work until you raise it to 25 Deg then it sounds like your heater flap isn't working. Have a look at this thread... -
Hybrid Air Con Re-gassing advice please
smurf replied to PaulE's topic in Toyota Alphard Hybrid (2002 - 2008)
Is the heater flap moving? It is located on the driver side of the centre console down at feet level. -
Toyota Alphard 2.4 Hybrid issue
smurf replied to dziowani's topic in Toyota Alphard Hybrid (2002 - 2008)
Lots of people have used him. I've only read good stuff, so you should get a reliable diagnosis. -
Toyota Alphard 2.4 Hybrid issue
smurf replied to dziowani's topic in Toyota Alphard Hybrid (2002 - 2008)
There are some voltage or current transducers (I can't remember which) within the inverter that can break and are very inexpensive to buy and easy to replace. Other than that, inverters are expensive. £5k brand new, probably upwards of £1k second hand. Batteries aren't necessarily that expensive to repair if you know what you are doing. Removing all the hybrid running gear would be an epic task, and I doubt worth the effort over just buying a non hybrid Alphard. It would need a complete engine and gearbox, and all the associated ECUs. There is also the motor generator that is part of the rear axle. Then god knows how many other tentacles going through all the other systems in the car. Not a conversion for the faint hearted. The DVLA will not hand out previous keeper information to the general public anymore, and previous keeper details haven't been included in the V5 for a number of years now. -
Ali express offer their own insurance against non delivery. They hold on to the money until the item is showing as delivered and you confirm it. After a short time they will release the money to the seller regardless if you fail to confirm after it is recorded as delivered. I've ordered a few car parts from there and never had an issue, although they were a good bit less that this so I didn't have the same concern about potentially losing a large sum of money.
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Petrol tank capacity issue
smurf replied to NeilT's topic in Toyota Alphard & Vellfire Club Forum (2008 - 2015)
I know that the accepted wisdom is that fuel tanks contain dirt at the bottom but I've always considered this to be unlikely in a vehicle. The fuel is always drawn from the bottom of the tank, and some of the fuel recirculates back to the tank on some fuel injection systems, so the fuel is not stationary at the bottom. The fuel will also be sloshing about the tank every time the car is driven, so the opportunity for there to be undisturbed settlement is low. If the tank is regularly taken to a low level then once again there is little chance of anything being left behind. Finally, most tanks these days are made of plastic so there is no risk of internal corrosion causing an issue. Just my thoughts on the matter, but I have no actual proof either way. It may have been an issue back in the days of carburettor cars with a one way fuel system and no fuel filter to stop the tiny filter the carb from getting rapidly blocked. Although, I've never actually heard of anybody experiencing their car conking out after running low on fuel, but lack of evidence is not evidence of lack. -
Toyota Alphard 2.4 Hybrid issue
smurf replied to dziowani's topic in Toyota Alphard Hybrid (2002 - 2008)
There is also the possibility of a gearbox failure, and the gearbox contains motor generator 1. Techstream should reveal where it's issue(s) lies. It you are able to do whatever work is required yourself you might have picked up a cheap car. If not you might just have a car to strip for spares. -
Hybrid Air Con Re-gassing advice please
smurf replied to PaulE's topic in Toyota Alphard Hybrid (2002 - 2008)
Assuming it is the same as the Prius, and I can't see why not, the oil in the air con does need to be specifically suitable for hybrids with an electric a/c compressor. From what I have managed to Google, the oil Toyota specify is ND-11. I'd imagine a Toyota dealer should be able to regas with the correct oil in the refrigerant, but it may be worth checking around other garages in your local area as they are likely to be cheaper. If they don't do it, they will probably know someone who does. -
I'd have to respectfully disagree there Roger. Nowhere does it say a child cannot sit in a front seat, they just need to be compliant with the child seat requirements in whatever seat they are plonked.
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If the booster doesn't fit properly in the back then you may have answered your own question. It isn't allowed to put a rear facing child seat in a front seat with an operational airbag, but beyond that I don't believe there are any legal restrictions to having children in the front, just a recommendation that they go in the rear. In general, the rear of a car is the safest place for a child to be in the event of a crash. However, a child might be better in the front of a camper conversion as all the paraphernalia installed in the rear is an unknown quantity in a crash with a small person involved.
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The gearbox on the hybrid also contains a motor/ generator, so you might be best searching out a Toyota hybrid specialist. The chances are you may need a complete unit to swap out. There is a hybrid specialist in based in the South West that does travel to do work, but he might only work on the battery and inverter side of the vehicles. I can't remember his name at the moment. Another name I have seen a lot of mention of is a guy up in Salford called Kaspars Krumins. I haven't got any contact details for him, but he seems to be very active on Facebook.
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Newbie looking for advice
smurf replied to Thomo the newbie's topic in Alphard Club Members Introductions
You will possibly need quite an expensive lithium battery and inverter setup if you want to start heating water with it. What is the power rating of the coffee maker? -
Purchasing dilemma 4speed Vs 5speed
smurf replied to matty's topic in Toyota Alphard Club Forum (2002 - 2008)
It can be done sat at home with your Alphard on the drive. As I said, lots of people have done it. I'm sure someone has posted about doing it on here. -
Purchasing dilemma 4speed Vs 5speed
smurf replied to matty's topic in Toyota Alphard Club Forum (2002 - 2008)
1. Get a certificate of conformity from the Japan Inspection Organisation. https://japaninspection.org/certificate-of-conformity-coc/ This will your say vehicle is Euro 4 compliant, because all Alphards actually are. 2. Provide this to DVLA, and they will update the registration details to say the vehicle is Euro 4. 3. You now have a ULEZ compliant Alphard for a few hundred pounds, so long as Euro 4 remains the qualifying requirement. Lots of people have done this successfully. -
Purchasing dilemma 4speed Vs 5speed
smurf replied to matty's topic in Toyota Alphard Club Forum (2002 - 2008)
If ULEZ compliance was a deal breaker, it can be made ULEZ compliant for a few hundred pounds. -
Hot/cold air blend door actuator repair
smurf replied to Jeza's topic in Toyota Alphard Technical Guides
I did this job yesterday following this guide. It was probably an hour's work all in, and the video helped to make it a quick job. Thanks for the assistance 👍