V6 120 Pre Purchase Checks

[don logan Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close don logan]

Hi, i'm looking at a 2006 petrol 120 with around 190k on the clock.

Apart from what i've read about engine mounts, cracked dash and inner wheel arches, is there anything else noteworthy to look at before handing over money?

Everything seems to be in good condition, test drives fine, engine and transmission seem smooth, no smoke, brakes good, no leaks or noise from engine or steering, etc. I'm getting a mobile mechanic to inspect it prior to purchase, is there anything specific I should get him to look for?

The seller is a mechanic himself who claims to have serviced it religiously- log book is filled out, admittedly by himself though. Is there any kind of 'quick fix' that he could have done to anything in order to hide a fault temporarily (such as an additive or something to patch an oil leak or similar)? I'm fairly knowledgeable about cars and know the obvious things to look for, just thought if i've got a mechanic checking it over then it would be worth getting the most out of him.

Is it worth checking compression or anything more complicated? Anything specific to look for with diagnostics?

Thanks in for any advice...

[BiLLz0r Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close BiLLz0r]

Check the rear door seal behind the rubber seal at the bottom. Common issue for rust.
TBH many home mechanic jobs are more comprehensive than commercial mechanics. What needs to be done gets done, not what makes more money.

[Guest Close Guest]

Petrols are pretty bullet proof. Unless it's showing some obvious sign I wouldn't worry about further deeper testing.
They suffered from oil leak front right of the engine timing cover or rocker cover gaskets. (Maybe 5% of them). Was due to a casting issue in the timing cover and rectified in 2008.

Some say the sunroof and rear door seal rusts out but I'm yet to see this on one.

Have your mechanic run a code reader over it to see if any codes in memory.

Look for anything obvious.

[don logan Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close don logan]

Petrols are pretty bullet proof. Unless it's showing some obvious sign I wouldn't worry about further deeper testing.
They suffered from oil leak front right of the engine timing cover or rocker cover gaskets. (Maybe 5% of them). Was due to a casting issue in the timing cover and rectified in 2008.

Some say the sunroof and rear door seal rusts out but I'm yet to see this on one.

Have your mechanic run a code reader over it to see if any codes in memory.

Look for anything obvious.

Thanks. Yes, I read about the leak from the timing cover on another thread on here. Is a mobile mechanic that works on all makes of cars going to be able to understand the Toyota generated codes, do they need a printout or something to look them up?

[turtlewa Member Find all posts View Profile Close turtlewa]

Pm me Don happy to take a look for you if you like im South of river and own an 08 model gxl and do all my own machanical work on mine

[Hobes Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hobes]

A few U.S.A. 1GR-FE have front or rear main seal leaks, be mindful they sold a lot of these engines and these few may of just been abused or wrong oil put in, but google and check for leaks. They seem to be very reliable if maintained.

[Guest Close Guest]

I'd say if your mechanic can't understand codes, find another.

Any half decent mechanic should have a quality code reader.

[don logan Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close don logan]

Thanks for the advice all.

Turtle, thanks for the offer mate but I only just saw your post and have already booked the guy to come out to inspect. I'm waiting for him right now as it happens.

Will let you know how it goes....

[turtlewa Member Find all posts View Profile Close turtlewa]

Np mate hope its all good and you can enjoy your new
Prado

[Kingi Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Kingi]

How did the inspection go? I am purchasing a 2006 petrol today. It is a TX ltd (I dont really know what the differences in the models are to tell the truth)130k on the clock. Looks tidy is all I can say about it really :/

[don logan Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close don logan]

Yeah it went well, thanks. No evidence of oil leaks anywhere, clean and damage free underneath seems smooth and quiet. Collecting tomorrow and off to Denmark/ Albany/ the South West in it over Easter...