As simple as that?

[Coelacanth Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Coelacanth]

I recently purchased a 2008 Prado with 198k on the clock. It ran so sweet until a fortnight after I picked it up. I started getting this thundering vibration through the trans and body of the vehicle when in "D" waiting at the lights.

Mechanics serviced vehicle - couldn't fault it because it seemed to ease as the day wore on.

Auto trans mechanic said I needed a rebuild. Did that. Better, but still rough, missing, lumpy, horrible feeling in "N" and "D".

Discovered one engine mount shagged. Replaced. Also replaced broken vacuum solenoid feeding the engine mount. Still rough.

Took it to Toyota - mechanic says injectors shagged. Or coked manifold. Maybe. Unsure. Gulp.

Today, after months of frustration, I decided to give everything I could think of a go. Despite not showing any warning light on the dash, I purged the the (engine bay) fuel filter by opening the drain and pumping it using the press-pump on top. Seemed like just diesel coming out of it, but hard to tell. Started vehicle, running like a dream. Drove around all afternoon, no issue.

I don't want to jinx it but seriously, could I have just sorted the issue by purgaging a bit of water out of the filter? Really? When 7 (yes 7) mechanics couldn't say for certain or fix the issue? I spent $3000+ chasing that?

Please tell me this couldn't really have been all it was....

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Time will tell.

[Joe Lighty Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joe Lighty]

Possibly that's all it was but sounds like everything else needed doing anyway - not money wasted, money invested in fun times ahead!

[whitey83 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close whitey83]

Was the filter drain tight and seal in good condition before you drained it..? I've seen air leaks on filter taps upset the fuel system resulting in hard starts and running rough. You usually smell diesel and see the odd drop of fuel in the engine bay when this is a problem.