Toyotas V8 turbo diesel in a workmate wagon ? Any problems with these ?

Hi Bob,

The main prob I have is there isn't one sitting in my drive way lol.

Haven't heard of any probs yet in the mining sector and they certainly give them a thorough "work out".

Cheers Wilko

Bob,
I will give you a run down on our work engines, they are subjected to a harsh environment but are well looked after and the revs are limited.

#1. Some of the engines use oil, I thought they had all stopped using oil after being run in but that is not the case.
#2. Have seizing 3 engines through coolant loss, the sealed radiator being difficult to check, the expansion bottle shows full but the radiator is empty. This can be fixed with a low water alarm.
#3. Have had some injector issues causing engines to get a diesel knock, injectors around $800 each.
#4. Alternators have been seizing due to them being low slung.
#5. A/c compressors have also been seizing.
#6. In the valley under the is a myriad of water pipes, a large egr valve, a fuel cooler and then the starter motor, if you do a starter motor it will cost big bucks just to get to it. This is also where the leaks occurred on the seized engines
#7. Water sits in the valley as it can't drain away.
#8. Fully electronic, if it stops or goes to limp mode you will have to get someone with a diagnostic tool to find out what is wrong, this is fine around town, not so hot in the middle of nowhere. Toyota have also reduced the number of service centers.
#10. One engine went away to Toyota with a very bad knock (not injectors).
It came back repaired with no explanation as to what was wrong with it.

Our V8 engines are performing nowhere near as well as the old 1HZ engines

Here is a photo of what it looks like under the. The EGR valve, fuel cooler and air boxes have been removed from the engine.

Image Could Not Be Found

Had my 4.5 v8 two and a half years 50000 ks not a problem love it ample power never works hard just ticking over.
Good mileage averaging 11.8 l/100km.
done a bit off everything 4 wise cant fault its ability used a little oil early but none now not much towing. pics on profile.

Bob

This subject has been done to death on this and other forums.

My 2 cents worth.

I have one of those motors in a trayback.

It would not be my choice of motor for underground mining. For that I would probably import South African spec models with the older engines and not road register.

For the rest of us who do not use the vehicle underground and who have to comply with Euro IV emission standards in new vehicles the choices are limited. We could buy (or hold onto) an older model in good condition or we can buy new. My former boss chose to hold onto his earlier model and took it to Africa. A good choice for him. When my time came to buy, the V8s were two years in to their production run and the early problems seemed to have been sorted out.

I would grant there does seem to be a problem with corrosion if exposed to extreme underground conditions (presumably also to very salty environments) and quite expensive and time consuming repairs and servicing but I would doubt the relevance of most of that to the readers of this forum.

If the vehicle is to be used for trekking and touring and rural use few if any problems should be expected except for high servicing costs (Toyota does know how to charge). I know of about 6 V8 traybacks in my area and some are younger and some older than mine. One of the locals is a Toyota mechanic who was a good source of information debunking a lot of the rumours. The one problem I know of was a result of the use of substandard fuel, likely not an automotive grade. Unfortunately one has to be pretty fanatical about fuel quality and filters in any common rail engine.

All the owners I know are very pleased with the V8 (including the bloke who had the fuel problem). I have had no problems with my motor of any sort. The motor has heaps of power and torque in a very wide rev band. It is phenomenal up steep hills . You have to remember some times that you are in a truck and not to try too hard through tight corners. It is not a sports car after all.

Fuel consumption appears to be equal to or less than competing four cylinder turbo diesels. Handy to have the extra grunt without being savaged at the service station.

I have had mine over a year and over 30,000 k. It has done two Simpson Desert crossings and a mix of other travel. I am very pleased with it. It has exceeded my expectations.

The V8 drivers are known for their ear to ear grins while driving them.

Flynnie

Has anyone seen the safety rating for the workmate wagon?
I haven't, and am curious to see how it rates.................... if it has been tested.

Disco

They would suffer from unintended acceleration, but with that engine you hardly notice :)