Davoe replied:

$500 labour just for a diagnosis? thats about 6hrs unfortunately stories like that are far too common. After getting the head and sideplate done on my 2h for 2 1/2 k it wouldnt surprise me with the cost as to the rest. I can only suggest that you try and get some of the diagnosis labour knocked off if you go ahead and enquire about getting the rings done at the same time as it should be relitively cheap to be done all at once. With 230k I dont fancy your chances of the big T gouing any where near a warranty job :(

tour boy replied:

Sorry to hear it happened. You should change the bearings every 80 to 100,000 km if you want peace of mind. The last set I had done cost me approx $380 at Toyota including parts and labour.
Regards
Tour Boy

GO_OFFROAD replied:

$380 to $400 to remove sump and change bearings and re assemble is about the going rate according to the www.lcool.org guys on the 80scool_aus list in the past.

Truckster (Vic) replied:

230,000klms and your asking if they might cover it?
LMAO.

Twigiee replied:

Charlie,

I recently bought an 80 series TD and it had (according to the previous owner) around 120k kms since last rebuild. I only finnished putting mine (1hd-t) back together last tuesday. No 5 was badly pitted and scored, i presume from the pieces of bearing, all of the rest were pitted, but ok. i'd like to attach a photo for all to view- does anyone know how to do this?

I was quoted $1600 just to have the bearings replaced at toyota, so i'm not sure whether the figure of $ 400ish comes from. Trade price for the bearings were $32 each so $190 or so for all 6. Also a 'normal' toyota price for a new crank is $2700, but after explaining that i was aware of the problem with 1hd-t's the parts assistant said that this price can be negotiated. (I found that my 1hd-t had scores on the crank journel that could be felt by running my fingernail across the surface.)

I have noticed a 'big end' like knocking sound since i bought the vehicle, but think it may be the injector pump - since the bearing replacement hasn't helped. Any comments.

Twigiee

Peter replied:

charlie,
there is a good chance that toyota would cover the cost of the repair or repair it for you. A neighbour had his bottom end die in similar circumstances to you. when he contacted toyota they paid up. apparently toyota know of the problem. it was due to a bad batch of bottom ends. if your engine is part of that bad batch they will come on board and do the right thing.
i would suggest you get on to toyota and see if you get lucky. could save you thousands.
good luck

Peter

charlie replied:

Thanks guys, but the news gets worse. It took them a good part of the day to remove the motor and take out the crank. From here I am an absolute novice. The conrod bearings have been damaged and other damage has been caused so the bill looks like going north of $3,500. I find this hard to believe that 6-8km's of driving after first noticing the noise that all this damage could be done, but I could be wrong?

The mechanic who I know is sometimes on the expensive side has always been thourough and has appraised me of what is happening in all maintenance and repair jobs before doing any work and I feel is genuine. He even said that the repairs could be so expensive if done conclusively ie. pistons, rings etc. that a replacement motor may be an option, he sourced one for $5.500. He said he is pulling his hair out on this job because he didn't realise it may be this bad even with the big end failure at such an early stage with them doing all of the servicing after the waranted factory servicing.

I will try Tojo and hit them with all the maintenance that has been done on the car. Wish me luck.

Charlie

stitch replied:

Charlie,
From what I understand Toyota used big end bearings from the factory assembly of early 1HD-T engines that were of a poor grade material. I had mine replaced in April 2000 at 227000 km, cost $550 (Toyota Taree). I am under the impression that the ones used to replace are of good materials and should last as long as normal big ends in equivalent vehicles. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I have heard of replacing bearings every 100,000km to be safe. If the original bearings Toyota used were no good and you replace them with others, why would it be an ongoing problem?

wet feet replied:

Hi Charlie,
I also have a 1HDT but have only had for nine months. (Bearings done)
I have heard that the bearing material melts and in viscous form goes through oil galleries and then solidifies causing problems elsewhere. The crank is specially treated and up until Nov last year toyota were still saying they couldn't be ground.
if you do go the route of a rebuild be very careful. Most engine builders do petrol engines and apply the same tolerances. I looked at four rebuilt 1HDT's and only one was done properly.

I'm sorry about your misfortune.

Toyota should come to the party but......

For anybody else out there looking at 1 HDT's Toyota's customer service group has a listing of those vehicles done under warranty. All you need is the reg.

Mark

Flash replied:

Hope your final solution doesn't cost too much. You have my genuine sympathy.

Good luck with it all. A mate had the same problem and it cost him close to five grand- then he sold it six months later as there was no guarantee it would not happen again.

Gee it must come as a shock to the system to all the Nissan bashers out there that 'yotas have problems too. You won't hear of many Nissan TD42's with major probs with less than 400-600,000 klms. And I know of even a few EARLY 3.0 litre TD's with well over 200,000 and NO PROBLEMS.... shock, horror!
I'm not sticking the boot in, rather pointing out that all brands have had their faults.

Cheers