Gemini Diesel Fuel Injection Service -Sydney

[caffeine Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close caffeine]

Hi guys
Need some help and advice. Drove up to Sydney with the family for a funeral on Thursday night from Melbourne as we couldn't get a flight due to the AFL and NRL grand finals and the long weekend in nsw and vic. Got to Sydney no problems but that night as I turned and went up a hill I hear a crack and then a flapping/ rattling sound. Thought I'd snapped a belt, howeverI couldn't see anything. Still heaps of power and there was no over heating so I limped back to Cronulla where we were staying which was an hours drive. Got a mechanic to have a look and he took off all the belts and briefly ran the engine as we thought it maybe it that area but the noise was still persistent.
Anyway, it's getting taken to a place called Gemini Diesel and I just thought some of the Sydney members might have some knowledge of these guys or maybe a guess at the problem.
All very stressful but at least the weather has turned out for us but the kids should be back at school and I should be at work.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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

Not the timing belt is it?

[caffeine Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close caffeine]

Unfortunately not. It's internal and they put me onto a mob called B M Higginbottom that does reco motors but he quoted me $12 to $15000 by the time they did everything. Not sure what to do but I need to get my family back to Melbourne so I'll probably put the car on a truck and fly the family back. Then, well at the moment I just don't know.

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

PM ############# he's located Vic, one of the best in the business on Diesel Prado's

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

How much is a good 2nd hand motor? You may get one with lower KM. Stick new belts and injectors on it and clean the oil pickup and you may save thousands. How much is a new Toyota long motor?

[AussieAndy Find all posts View Profile Close AussieAndy]

This should be a 1KZ yeah? 2004 Prado? Auto?

Does the noise change with engine revs? Change with road speed? Change depending on the gear you're in?

Just want to clarify this, unfortunately I have no idea on what it could be by your description, I would need more details.

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

Yeah hard to say from here.

Sounds like way too much $$$$$ they are quoting you.
A brand new 1kz last time I checked is 8k from Toyota dealer.

Weird one, you say it still has plenty of power, so why are they quoting engine?
On 1kz IT IS ULTRA IMPORTANT TO CHANGE GLOW PLUGS before they fall apart, this may often result in the need for a new engine.
$300-$400 every 100,000k. So this was my first thought.

Use the total care & get it home & check it out then.

Mmmmmm..........

[caffeine Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close caffeine]

Hi guys
well we are back in Melbourne and the car is heading back on a truck. Gemini diesel ; once they had workedout that it was coming from inside the engine didnt want to go any further and gave me the number for B M Higginbottom who I now realise just sell reco exchange motors and weren't interested in diagnosing the problem.
After a long chat with Ray from Turbo Engineering near my house in Melbourne I decided to truck it to him. The clutch was changed about 6 months ago buy another mob and Ray thinks that it may be a bot on the clutch that has worked its way out or something.
Anyway I was not prepared to scrap the whole car without exploring every avenue so I'll see what these guys find. I think I need to know for sure what exactly is wrong before I give up on her. Spent way too much money and time setting her up to just give up.
As I said, the drive from Manly to Cronulla had no loss of power or over heating. Most people are telling me that it is unusual for a 1kz to let go like that. I've always serviced her with extra oil changes between.
Would appreciate any input to help me nut this out. Car should arrive in Melbourne tomorrow or Monday. Will let you all know what transpires.
Thank you to all who replied. I appreciate the input.