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As for VVt-i. Toyota had been using it for Lexus line for some times now (I think they invented it in the early 90's). It's really not that new of a technology, (like ABS, navigation system, stability control) it's just recently trickled down to the non-luxury market.
VVT-i is Toyota's version of V-TEC from Honda/Acura. VVT-i's have been around a long time, it's being used in Toyota's CART/NASCAR Series cars.
VVT-i will give you more power, lower emission, more torque, even idling easier to start and better performance with cold engine.
These engines are reliable but if you don't take care of them and they break down... be prepared to fork out big bucks to fix them. These engines are state of the art engines and not something you want to try and fix in your own garage!
oily texture. It looks like oil but does not smell like oil. It stained both the pillowcase and the pillow.
Actually, the clicking sound occurred several other times I tried to play a tape. Each time it ejected just fine. I decided to try once more that weekend with another tape and that is when the entire radio just cut out and even the lights don't work on it anymore. I am wondering if there is any connection between the radio problem and the leak. My husband suggested we just get a whole new stereo system with a CD player rather than have it even looked at. We're assuming that the warranty has expired on the radio - does anyone know? I really don't listen to the radio much, and would have been okay with the tape deck not working, but I do want a radio.
rward99,
The leak has produced drips onto the floor mat
below and made a sizable spot on the pillow I was holding. However, since then I have only been able to wipe away a few drops. My kids have been sick so we haven't driven much, and with the holiday weekend I needed to wait until this coming week to make an appointment. I also have to work around my husband's work schedule 'cause I can't get over to the dealer (30 minutes away) and get both kids off to their schools, so he'll have to take the van in. Anyway, it's easier for him to have the rental - never know if the car seats will fit in a rental.
We do have another dealer but they don't do rental
cars and we really need two cars since I'm taking
two kids to different schools.
It really wasn't leaking anymore when I took it in
last time so they didn't really know what they were looking for. Hopefully with the paper towel "evidence" it will help them figure it out.
Thank you both for your input. I appreciate it!
Carole
For the oil leak you've got me stumped. Power steering fluid can be a gold color, without much odor, but it's nowhere near your dashboard. Brake fluid has a strong smell, as do motor oil and transmission fluid. If your radiator level is low, and none of the other fluids is, it's possible that the leak is indeed coolant. But if so, then the smell on the pillow should be the same as on the coolant refill cap. Toyota coolant is red; when dirty it can be brownish. If the coolant has been replaced with another brand, like Prestone, it could be a different color. Prestone is more of a chartreuse color, which is kind of yellow-green.
If it is coolant that is leaking my guess would be the heater core. (The heater core is like a small radiator under the dash. Hot water from the engine circulates through this and a fan blows air through it which heats the inside of the car during the winter.) On my '99 the connectors to the heater core are in the engine compartment and not in the cabin, so if it's leaking then the core will have to be replaced.
Have you tried taking the pillow case to another Toyota service place just to get their opinion? You don't have to get it serviced there, but maybe they can diagnose the problem. It would really help if you could catch some of the liquid in a jar or cup instead of it being soaked on cloth or paper. I know it sounds silly, but on a long trip if you could put a pan under there and catch some of it they could most likely tell you what it is.
For a rental car, check out Enterprise Car Rental. This is how I moved away from the dealership to a private garage that I'm happier with. My spouse takes the car to the garage and Enterprise arrives at the prearranged time. No extra charge for the pick up and drop off, and their rates are very good too.
Good luck and be sure to post updates for us. I'm interested to know what the resolution is.
I only have 16,000 miles on the van, but I didn't know if things like the radio had a shorter warranty than major components. I had my Toyota Corolla for almost ten years and the radio and tape player worked great and I never had to replace any fuses. In fact, except for two new mufflers, I don't think I ever had either of my Toyotas in for anything but factory scheduled maintance.
Well, I washed the pillow and the case as soon as we got home, so all I have now is the paper towel. The first time I found the leak it looked brownish and was on the top of a plastic box of toys that belonged to my children. I wiped it off thinking someone dripped coke or chocolate on it. Maybe I should put that up front again!
BTW, it only seems to be leaking from the front of the bundle of wires that run to the Control box underneath the glove box. I can't feel anything toward the engine.
It seems like the fluid builds up slowly and probably only drips when there gets to be too much. There is very little on the floor mat but this started months ago. I don't know if the long trip caused it to put out so much on the pillow or what. Normally, my driving is short spurts of no more than 20 minutes at a time.
The coolant in the van is a redish color. It is right at the low mark right now. The power steering fluid does look the same, but lighter, on a paper towel.
My husband has used Enterprise many times and they are nice but I'd like to give our regular dealer one more shot and get the free rental there. If they are really stumped we'll try the other dealer - I just hate to put out all that money for a rental car.
I'll let you know what we find out. I'll call the dealer first thing Tuesday and make an appointment.
Thanks!
Carole
payment and prep - all was fine. Made payment,
dealer prepped car, drove off lot - check engine
light turned on. Diagnosis returned shift solenoid code.
Vehicle is in the shop now with 15 miles on it and
we have owned for 24 hours +/- and never drove beyond 200 ft off dealer lot. We are
debating whether we work with them or demand
delivery of another vehicle or money back.
The manual says that the check engine light (malfunction lamp)will illuminate, and "go off after driving several times", if the gas tank filler cap is not tightly screwed on. As part of the delivery process, the salesman filled the tank with gas. Maybe he didn't do it up tight? I didn't know about it then so I didn't check it myself. But then you'd think they'd know about that in service and check it first. Nonetheless, there's that pesky diagnostic returning the solenoid code.
I won't know if or what they want to replace until
9/5/00 because all the first rate mechanics (that
understand the codes) are off work until then. I'll try to help out with further posts as things
develop.
As my pulling problem continues and other minor (?!) annoyances creep up, I am not feeling good about the long-term reliability of the Sienna. I have seen numerous posts on SLUDGE in the engine on the '99 van in particular. Since I have not made it to the "average" mileage where this problem is noted yet, I am very much concerned.
Toyota can only hope that I don't have that problem. I am afraid if I do, I will a real thorn in its side!! Why can't I have a NEW van that performs like a NEW van?? New vehicles are NOT supposed to elicit STRESS in owners! The trend for new vehicles to have premature problems is *getting on my nerves*!! I trusted Toyota would be different from Chrysler, GM, FORD, etc. GUESS NOT!!
P.S. Could someone here affiliated with Toyota speak to the 2001 possible "Check Engine Light" and the '99 "sludge in the engine?" Thanks.
cblake@erols.com
Coming back to the Town Hall I was surprised to see so many emails on the "check light" problem. My transmission actually failed last week with 10K miles on the Sienna. The check light didn't come on till after I got it off to the shoulder of the highway.
I was doing about 70 mph at 3000 RPMs in the fast lane when I noticed that the tachometer continued to climb to almost 6000 RPMs without any acceleration. No strange noises or smell of burning transmission fluid, just the revving of the engine while the transmission went into neutral.
As the Sienna was on the shoulder I tried shifting into all gears forward and reverse and the transmission wouldn't engage. Let the van cool down, tried it a few more times then the check light indicator came on. Called a tow truck and had it towed to a Toyota dealer 65 miles away. By the way Toyota paid for the tow charges and gave me a loaner.
Service Advisor told me they weren't sure what the problem was and were going to be replacing both the Torque Converter and Transmission. The check light code they found was, P0500 = Car Speed Sensor Malfunction. Have opened a case number with Toyota Customer Assistance because the dealer was told not to open the transmission case for a post mortem and to send it back to the factory. I'd really like to find out what caused this as I'm sure Toyota would as well.
Has this extreme situation happened to anyone else? Any tips on dealing with Toyota Customer Assistance process? Otherwise I love the Sienna and the dealership's customer service. This happened at the end of a family vacation putting over 1K miles on it in a week.
The van is not really roomy, we would say it's a more intimate vehicle, which is what we like. We spend a lot of time playing car/questioning games with the children and we don't have to speak loud or turn around so they can hear the questions, even if they're in the back row.
We had a 93 Previa. In comparison, the Sienna has less room but a better car-like drive, with more creature comforts and features.
I like the way the rear seat moves forward on the 2001 and we really have become dependent on the power door.
Dealer says his #1 mechanic contacted Toyota. Toyota claims the solenoid code is a "fluke", that is, they have not seen this on 2001s.
Dealership has agreed to provide a different vehicle as soon as delivered (7 to 10 days).
If I learn more that would help buyers of 2001s, I'll post.
I agree wholeheartedly that this site is very helpful and the knowledge of issues/problems that it helps to provide is great to have. Makes one an informed shopper. Still, I'd guess there isn't a car on the road that couldn't be made to appear a lemon even if only 0.1% of owners posted tales of problems say, 50 out of 50,000 owners. Who knows how many Siennas are on the road? Anyone?
No more leaks onto the floor under the glove box but I put aluminum foil under there to catch any.
Carole
The gentleman managing site deserves more viewers and postings. Please consider giving it a try.
Ed
Yes, our check engine light came on soon after purchase, was replaced in 4 days. We had a brand new fully loaded Sienna as a loaner while ours was repaired, Toyota/the dealer handling the situation to my satisfaction. Since then have put 2700 miles on it and no problems. This vehicle is a pleasure to drive. I strongly recommend the purchase of the Sienna, especially to those with children!
Based on the information in the above postings, I had thought that this was merely a cosmetic problem, but we were about to drive across country, so I called the dealer's service department to confirm this. However, according to the technician, after this leak has been present for a while, the oil can start to migrate along various wires into the "brains" of the vehicle, from where he has seen it drip down onto the feet of the front passenger. Even though your leaked oil may no longer smell like oil, you should investigate this possible cause. (For starters, take a look at the front right of your engine, and see whether it is stained with oil. The stain is rather subtle, so I suggest that you use a flashlight.) The fact that your drip seems to be traveling along wires is consistent with the above explanation.
The good news is that the repair takes Toyota less than an hour. We just drove our 2000 Sienna CE on a 4300 mile trip, and there was no evidence of any further oil leakage.
Good luck, and please let us know the dealer's diagnosis of your problem.
I would let the dealership also investigate the oil leak. I think you've done about all you can. Sorry you're having the problems and I hope it works out.
Documenting only with Toyota will not get you very far, I am sorry to say. You need to notify the Center for Auto Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, as well as the Federal Trade Commission which covers transmission defect issues.
I find it odd that Toyota told you that there was no record of this problem when in fact, it knows about the problem fully. Denial is the number one defense of an automaker.
I am watching the development of the recent problems (e.g. Check Engine Light, sludge in the engine, and steering/suspension/alignment) closely and will continue to do so as long as I own the '99 Sienna CE. Far too many quality problems have surfaced far too early!! I am disappointed, and like you, I am wishing I had not opted for the Sienna now.
No, I would not have gotten a Chrysler or FORD product. Yes, some manufacturers are producing scores of lemons. Still, that doesn't make Toyota's issues OK in comparison. Some people equate Toyota with quality. This is changing based on posts about later model Toyota vehicles. I wish it weren't true......
P.S. re: #197...The Michelin replacements for my original Dunlops have done little to correct or even minimize the constant pulling in my van. If anything, I now think the pull is worse!!
cblake@erols.com
Then I turned the key pulled it out and started again. Turn one time and the sucking noise came out again before the engine start. The salesman said it was normal. I checked every Sienna LE and they were the same, but not on XLE model.
Does anyone know what it is. Does it have something to do with VVTi technoloy or converter problem ? Please advice. Thanks.
When purchasing tires look at their ratings: temperature, traction and treadwear. Try to get tires that are rated "A" in each area AND by all means stay away from Firestone's.....
Thanx for responding to my message/question promptly. I don't read the manual therefore I don't know.
One more question, the cargo door in the back is easy to open, but when I tried to close it, I have to smash it with all my strength so it can be closed properly. I think this is a defective one. Don't you think so ?
This morning, I called the national Toyota customer service number and asked what kind of additional warranty they were offering us poor unfortunate owners.
They offered me a (free) extended 6 year, 75,000 mile warranty. I'm happy to have it, but sure hope I don't have to use it.
Carole
Carole
Carole
We bought our 2000 CE in August of last year, and have had no problem other than the leak around the camshaft sensor (although the power locks now seem to be behaving erratically; we're keeping an eye on this potential problem). We just drove the van on a cross-country vacation with our four kids (aged 10 months to just under 10 years), with all the luggage and baby gear you can imagine. The van drove very smoothly, with plenty of power, and handled great, and we had enough room for all our stuff. (We do not use a roof rack, so we were packed to the ceiling both in the cargo area and in the open area next to the 2nd row bench seat. We had to partially unpack every time the kids needed to get out for a food or bathroom stop!) We were in Texas, where the temperature reached 109, and the air conditioning worked perfectly to keep the van comfortable in the front and back.
Although we've been very satisfied with the van (mostly driven by my wife), I must say that I'm appalled by the torque converter problem that I've been reading about in some of the more recent 2000 (and 2001?) Siennas. I feel very bad for the people who are experiencing this problem. If it were me, I'd be worried about latent wear/damage to the transmission, which might not manifest itself until the van is off warranty. Although the Sienna is a rock-solid, well-designed van (and I thought my CE also was an excellent value at less than $23,000, including running boards), if I were in the market right now I would wait until Toyota clearly has this problem resolved.
(Sorry to provide so many unrelated observations here, but I don't post very often, so I wanted to make sure I covered everything.) Good luck with your van!
I will say that my last van, many years ago, was an '82 GMC Vandura. It had only front air/heat and would take forever to heat/cool the rear seat area. This is a tremendous improvement over those days.
Another Sienna problem is it is not a balance minivan. I stood about 15 away from the back of the van and I noticed that the van is slightly higher on the right side. At first, I thought the ground was not straight or something wrong with my eyes, but I was wrong. I measured the length from the ground to the van body on the real tires. I was surprised that there is about half an inch different between right and left side. Half an inch is a lot. It tells you somehow left side is heavier that right ( from back scene, NOT front). I don't know if this problem occurs on my car only or the others as well. Please let me know. Tomorrow I will go back to the dealership and measure the Sienna one by one. I'll post the results.