D4d prado injector problem - should i take toyota to court???

[Callaghan Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Callaghan]

I'd appreciate some feedback from users of this site about what seems to be a known fault in Toyota D4D engines.

By way of background, I bought my GXL Prado in 2007 from Brian Hilton Toyota in Wyong. Within weeks the vehicle was returned to the dealership as it was shuddering in idle. The initial response was that the cause of the shudder was "fuel issues", but after further investigation the problem was found to be a fault in the engine mount, which was subsequently fixed under warranty.

Within the last six months the car has begun to intermittently blow thick, grey smoke at start up and a loud rattle has started until the engine is warm. I had the problem investigated by a number of mechanics, the last of which was Cardiff Toyota where the problem was explained clearly and I specifically asked the mechanic "get in the car and drive it". Despite paying in excess of $500 for the service, they did not advise of any problem with the car.

However, within a month the engine of the car seized and I had it towed back to the dealership where I bought it. I am advised that the only option is to replace the engine entirely, at a cost of close to $13,000. The dealership claim the problem is caused by "fuel issues" but given our prior experience, you'll understand my skepticism with this diagnosis.

After reading posts on this forum and others I am concerned about that I am the victim of problematic fuel injectors which are a known fault in these models. Does anyone have any advice about the best way to resolve this with Toyota Australia or the dealership that didn't pick up the problem before it blew up?

[slimf Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close slimf]

Lets assume the first issue was just the engine mount, which they fixed... The car is now 6 years old. Sometimes shit happens, but in your case you actually advised them of the problem and paid them to diagnose and repair it. By the sounds of it, you did this at multiplr toyota dealerships. They all took your money and now your left with a 13 k repair.

I would document the exact time line of events that led to the engine ceasing and put it in writing to Toyota Australia as a letter of demand for a motor repair. Give them 24 days to address your situation and if they don't follow up with fair trading.

Their dealerships represent the Toyota brand and take money in their name. They should be trained to recognize issues specific to their models and when paid to diagnose a fault but fail they should wear the cost.

[ondaboat Coopers Pale Ale Find all posts View Profile Close ondaboat]

Did you have Toyota extended warranty at all if so when did it finish?

[Callaghan Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Callaghan]

Just the regular three year warranty.

To be honest, after forking out more than $60,000 for a vehicle that is supposed to be "unbreakable" I thought I'd get more than 6 years out of it!

I have contacted the Department of Infrastructure and Transport about this and they've told me if they have enough evidence that the same problem has happened to others they can investigate and possibly order a recall. For anyone who is interested the online form is at: http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/veh...aint_form.aspx

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

" enough evidence that the same problem has happened to others they can investigate and possibly order a recall " There is already a recall ,has been for a year or two,, BUT only in the UK and NZ .. This problem does not happen in Oz . ????

[Callaghan Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Callaghan]

Yep - quite right. But as I've learnt Toyota Australia aren't going to be forthcoming about admitting to the problem so I guess engaging the bureaucracy is the only hope I have at the moment!

I'm also considering small claims court or getting together a class action... anyone have any thoughts about this?

[ondaboat Coopers Pale Ale Find all posts View Profile Close ondaboat]

Just the regular three year warranty.

To be honest, after forking out more than $60,000 for a vehicle that is supposed to be "unbreakable" I thought I'd get more than 6 years out of it!

Mate I've had $20k's worth of value out on my extended warranty. I also expected to get more than 100,000km on it before it died. I don't really know the answer for you other than PM talk the roo for some direction.

[peril Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close peril]

Did you ever get the fuel quality checked at one of these services or are they 'guessing' it was bad. Did they ever cold test the car injector timing, you would have to drop the car off the day before for this test.

Was the engine destroyed by blocked filter or blown injectors, did they check the oil pick-up filter at all?

Could be the seals went on the injectors, these older seals were poorly designed and they changed them from 2008.

How to destroy the faith many of us had in a company, faith and trust that they earned over 50 + years.

I have myself written a letter today to my dealer pointing out HOW and WHY these D4Ds need to have valve services done by the manual. The injectors need to be pulled and the injector seals changed when they do. AS PER THE GLOBAL TOYOTA MANUALS! I asked them to explain why their dealership doesn't need to follow head office guidelines.

[johna Member Find all posts View Profile Close johna]

After reading of all the problems with the old and current common rail engines, think I will now stay with the old 2003 banger and replace the springs and shocks, as it has now done 195,000 klms and over 100,000ks of that with a 2 1/2 ton 22' van in tow. Still bangs away a good as the day I picked it up new. Put a DP chip in and left on standard setting at approx. 80,000ks which improved fuel consumption and power. Would be interesting to see if the old banger could be fitted to the later models for reliability, especially if you have to pay in excess of $13,000-00 to replace the D4D bomb. Just a thought....

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

I'm afraid that you have had 2 distinctly different problems. The engine mount issue was fixed. Your smoke emission you state developed within the last 6 months along with the rattle. That sounds typical of the injector seal (sheet) issue causing oil pickup filter screen blockage and resultant engine failure due to lack of lubrication. If you can show the problem was identified to Toyota before the engine failure then you might have something to go on but without warranty you'll be joining the long list of disgruntled owners who have suffered a similar fate. Small claims has had one winner in Queensland I think. Good luck. I will complete the DoTARS form and add my comment re my engine failure.

[Riv39 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Riv39]

As suggested PM Talk the Roo, John will assist you. It would appear from what I have read that if you play your cards right that you will get something out of this even though your warranty is expired as it is a known fault that Toyota Aus just won't admit to. Keep pushing don't give in!

I assume that the car has a solid service history and all services have been done by the book, in which case those injector seals should have been replaced every 40k when the valve clearance check was done....bet you they weren't though.

[dazznat Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close dazznat]

If your car was serviced by toyota at the 40,000 and 80,000 km service you'll have a case in small claims as these seals need to be replaced under the Toyota manual at those services (do some research online, you'll be able to find the manuals that prove this). Toyota will fob you off with rubbish about fuel issues, but take them to small claims. Persevere, go the whole way, you'll have success if you structure the case well.

[SlidinStu Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close SlidinStu]

Callaghan how this transpire? I'm currently fighting Toyota about my Prado that suffered the same fate as yours.

Interested to hear if you had any luck?

Thanks
Stu