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i'm not sure about the full-size vans. i have seen full-size vans using light truck tires.
my opinion is: look at the michelin from sears - the top of the line michelin from sears with lifetime warranty. they go on sale every now and then. i believe they are the best deal if you want michelin tires. michelins give a quieter ride, softer ride than those OEM dunlops. this is my experience in my van.
tranny manual - RM326U
wiring diagram - EWD350U
new car featrures - NCF160U
these are the numbers showing for 1999 model.
Question. Can I pop the bumper from the inside out or am I better off replace it? They are asking 375$ just for the bumper. Adding installation and painting I think it will probably cost me double that. As for the headlight cover, how hard is it to replace it myself? Do I have to get the parts from the dealer?
Thanks.
P.S.
I can't believe it. My first nanny put a huge dent to the back of the van while it has less than 1000 miles on it now this.
you should be able to just push out the dent on your bumper. it's soft plastic and u can reach in from the back and pop it out. u may have some paint damage that you can touch-up.
for the headlight, if the crack is not that big - you can try using a clear all-weather sealant and seal it up. it's easy to replace but expensive! i doubt you can find used ones coz your model is still fairly new.
goodluck
Thanks for the tip about the clear all-weather sealant. I will give that a try. Regarding popping out the bumper, I am a bit concerned about the strength of the bumper afterwards. It would be great if I can just pop it out.
Thanks.
--yufeng
sienna front and rear bumpers are hollow on the side and corners. this is why it's so easy to have a big dent on the corner! there's a steel beam that runs across from left to right (front and rear). sides and corners are hollow. the bumper is basically just a cover. behind the plastic bumper is a thick piece of foam and then the steel beam.
Service manager informs me today that Toyota will cover the cost of a new transmission $2300 (its remanufactured) but I am on the hook for the labor - about $500. When I protest - I feel this should all be covered under warranty - he says that Toyota is making a 'concession' by covering this because I am out of warranty, yeah by only 400 miles. What leverage do I have? I can make a statement that I will not buy another Toyota - do they care?? Obviously these transmissions have had a problem - my 'google' search proved that. From the research I did on the net last night I see people being asked to pay much more than this - anyone with opinions or suggestions? Thanks in advance
personally, i would just pay the labor and leave it at that. coz u are over by 400 miles on your warranty and toyota was nice enough to replace the tranny, i think the $500 is a small price to pay versus the $2300+$500. if toyota had decided to go by the warranty (word for word), they could easily refuse to replace the tranny even if you're only 1 mile over the warranty. in your case, you were over by 400 miles.
you can show them all the articles on the internet about the tranny problems, etc. i dont think it will make any difference. you can maybe consult a lawyer and perhaps go to court but in the end, i think you would be better off paying the $500 labor and get it over with.
just my opinion.
goodluck
San Jose, CA
a little over a year ago, i bought a set of mags and intalled it with michelins 205/65-15. i bought used mags, i never buy new mags. looked great and all but it seems like i can hear and feel every bump on the road.
i decided last saturday, once and for all - take those bloody mags off and go back to steel rims! i did and all i can say is wow! the ride is so much quieter and smoother. steering is a bit heavier coz of the bigger size tires. it came originally with 195/70-15. now, i just gotta find a buyer for my mags!
so those of you thinking about buying aftermarket mags, think twice before you do it! try to find the OEM sienna mags. camry mags and avalon mags all fit on the sienna perfectly.
i find that sometimes, certain vehicles just don't like aftermarket parts!
i know that my CE came with 195/70-15 and i switched to the same size as the LE/XLE. you can improve handling by installing bigger rims/tires such as 16 or 17inch. u have to make sure that the weight of each wheel/tire combo is roughly equal to your OEM set-up. also, if you use bigger rims -u have to look into low profile tires.
http://www.autonews.com/article.cms?articleId=39291
I have linked this discussion into that folder, but it will always reside here in Vans.
Looking forward to meeting everyone!
KarenS
Host
Owners Clubs
I reexamine the headlight cover and it turned out even the crack is 2 inches long but if I touch it I dont feel it at all. The outer surface is smooth as if nothing happened. So I don't need the sealant yet, I guess.
the crack on your lens may seem nothing but i would suggest that you put a thin layer of sealant anyways. spray water on it to check if the crack did go all the way through.
goodluck.
Yeah, there is a sink full of dirty dishes too. Rudy
BTW dealer did me a favor and did it gratis but then again he already had plenty of our $ - said he normally charges around $20 for this 'common repair item'.
Did the ride become quieter and smoother by changing the wheels alone, or did you change the tires along with the wheels recently?
By the way, for model year 2001, Sienna's tires are either 205/70R15 (rated 1499 lb.) standard, or 215/65R15 (rated 1510 lb.) for XLEs.
San Jose, CA
San Jose, CA
I guess it's a good thing that a "problems" discussion isn't full of them.
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
He did heat the bumper up with a heater (looks like a big hair dryer) for 10 minutes before he tried to pop it out. I gave him 20$ beer money.
The result is pretty good. I only see some scratches and some white spots due to the bending. I am very happy!
Thanks everyone here for the help.
--yufeng
Any ideas? I'll report to dealer.
came with the alum rims also. I have them on my 2000 LE. If I didn't order it that way it would of come with the 205's.
filter usually gets changed around 96,000kms or so, which is around 30,000 miles. your owners manual should state the mileage.
Please share the cause when you find out so others can benefit. Good Luck with your problem.
tmsusa1 "Engine Sludge/Oil Gelling--Toyota's Customer Response" May 3, 2002 3:17pm
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
i'm 100% sure though that the fuel filter sits just below the battery and a sort of to the rear. mine is a 1999 model. i haven't looked in the shop manual but i would assume that from 1998 to 2002, it would be the same.
also, i've never heard of the fuel filter considered as a "lifetime part". as a general rule, fuel filters, timing belt, platinum plugs, radiator hoses and a few other parts gets replaced at 96,000kms - give or take a few kms. most of these parts are fairly cheap to buy and not too hard to replace. i've followed this rule for all my cars and i've never had any breakdowns on the road.
Checked my Sienna and Repair Manual. Yes, there is a filter on the line, right near the air filter, like you say, easily replaced. Also, there's a green "port," labelled EVAP system on that line. In the Repair Manual, there's a filter with the fuel pump at the tank, called the "fuel pump filter"; therefore, 2 filters.
I read the fuel filter "lifetime part" claim on the Toyota.com FAQ site. They say:
"The fuel filter is typically not a scheduled maintenance item and only requires replacement if necessary. Please consult with your local Toyota dealership for additional information concerning fuel filter maintenance."
This must refer to the "fuel pump" filter.
today, i learned there's 2 fuel filters.
thanks for the info.
Should we transfer this discussion to those "new boards" in the owners' club?
as you remove the line, gas will start to come out so u have to be ready with a plug to shut off the gas. what i did was i wrapped the gas line with thick towel and used a vice grip to stop the gas flow.
speaking of gas and pressure - please be advised, dont use your cell phone while filling up your tank at the gas station! there have been reports of fire/explosion at gas stations due to the microwave from cell phones while filling up gas. gas stations now in our areas have this sign of no cell phones allowed while filling up gas, plastered everywhere!