by jimfroggy on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 8:05 +0000
Thought I'd add my 2c from recent experience with the injector saga that seems to plague so many of us. Apologies if this is old news to some but needless to say I've learnt a lot in the past few months and think its worth mentioning.
Engine light came on at about 120,000. (06 lux). Brought up injector fault code, so took it into Toyota stealership for scan. $66 later for plugging in a scan tool came up with needing 4 new injectors and a "carbon clean". Quote $4,500.
Not satisfied with this I took it to my local diesel mech and got him to give me the tip. Turned out 2 were running out of spec and 1 was borderline, but he recommended replacing all 4 as you would. Quote $4000 (as he would need to source the parts from the genuine supplier anyway).
Turned to eBay, sourced the new superceded model injectors for $345ea, also needed to source the tubes and seats etc. for installation myself, but overall with labour came in about $2,200. Had the fuel filter replaced also and it was clogged with all kinds of flotsam. Sounds and feels like a brand new car now so thankfully worth shelling out the coin for it.
Picked up some good advice along the way also. The old man knows a bloke who runs a D4D model Hiace or similar van type rig as a taxi in my hometown, swears by changing the fuel filter every 10,000km, as he now has run the van up to and beyond 500,000km without a hitch by following this simple plan. Also I now exclusively fuel up at BP, which was recommended as having the best of the bad bunch in terms of fuel quality (?low sulphur, purity etc.), although have also heard ok things about Caltex Diesel. Prior to the injector replacement I was using a Mobil/7Eleven servo as it was close to home and on the way to work, but have since changed teams...this may have been a contributor. I have heard of some keeping all receipts by way of insuring yourself against "bad/dirty fuel" as Toyota would say. Some believe you may be able to charge the fuel company for serving crap fuel and get them to pay the repair bill. Unconfirmed though, but not a bad idea as a safeguard.
Also heard its a wise idea to replace diff oils every other service, as apparently (and don't quote me of course) due to the diffs on current model being the same ones used in earlier model luxes, they don't hold up so well under the increased power of the 3.0L. As for me I decided stuff it, and just replace all oils every service. Quite happy to be absorbing the extra cost for some well needed peace of mind, particularly when taking the rig off road, have no desire to wind up dealing with issues out on my own off the beaten track. I have a good private mech who sorts me out so I'm happy to give him the business.
I'm now telling all my mates and even a few strangers with D4D's to think about this just to save them the hassle (hopefully).
Up to you though...