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Toyota Sienna Maintenance and Repair (2003 earlier) - READ ONLY

3687 messages,  Last post on Jul 18, 2007 at 11:32 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Sienna, Van

    

Messages Page 256 of 370

#2546 of 3687 Sienna Transmission problems by mparkins

Jun 09, 2003 (2:55 pm)

Just got some bad news from my Toyota dealer. Our 1999 Sienna just had it's 75K checkup about 2000 miles ago and they say the transmission needs to be replaced. They're saying that the 'pinion bearing' had been flaking off metal pieces which clogged the 'filter screen' and 'pickup tube' and left it with zero oil pressure. I asked the guy how weird this is and he said 'very, I've only seen it once before'. I'm suspicious because it only has 76 or 77K miles and it's a Toyota (aren't they supposed to be the most reliable car you can get?!), it just had that scheduled maintenance, it's had ALL the scheduled maintenance (at the dealer, no less)! Does anyone have any suggestions, similar experiences, pointers, etc.? Many thanks.

#2547 of 3687 Knock by pjksr

Jun 10, 2003 (5:39 am)

The recommended fuel for the Sienna engine, with its 10.5 compression ration, is 91 octane or higher.
 
If that's a problem, you may try running a complete fuel system cleaner--one that will clean the combustion chamber--like ChevronTechron or Redline SI-1. A fuel system cleaner, periodically, is always a good idea.

#2549 of 3687 I won arbitration on the squeaky brake problem! by lprue

Jun 10, 2003 (5:47 pm)

To all of you out there who have experienced the "frickin squeaky brake noise", justice prevails! I took Toyota to arbitration and WON! They are to terminate my lease (2 years early), without penalty! I couldn't take it any longer. They tried to pin the blame on me by saying it was my driving habits and road conditions. Well, when the arbitrator sat in for a test drive and listened to what I've been dealing with for a year, she agreed. Two sets of brakes and 6 trips in for buffing, scrubbing, etc. within 1 year helped my case as well. The arbitrator based her decision on my "compelling" evidence in terms of my service records and the test drive. She said my vehicle involved a substantial nonconformity. So, I'm off to start car shopping. The bad thing is that I really like my Sienna with the exception of the brakes. A Toyota service manager told me that he wouldn't get in another Sienna because they haven't developed the brakes for them yet.
 
You too can win this battle against Toyota. Be persistent, keep diligent records and be prepared to go to arbitration. It didn't cost me any money, just my time.

#2550 of 3687 RE: transmission problems by dtownfb

Jun 10, 2003 (7:53 pm)

Has your Sienna been driving funny? Meaning have you had hard shifts? hesistation? Etc If not, you may not need a new transmission. Personally, I would get a second opinion from an independent transmission shop just to be sure. You've already been told you need a new transmission so it can't get any worst.
 
If you do need another transmission, try to get some 'relief' from Toyota esp. since you have performed all the required maintenance.

#2551 of 3687 Re:Sienna Transmission problems by mparkins by bmwx5

Jun 11, 2003 (7:16 am)

visit my msg#2515 onwards what others and I have gone thru this. My sincere advise if you donot have a real issue e.g. car shifts gears or stops etc. (although it is better to be safe than sorry and that's what we did) get a second opinion - atworst you may need a new transmission. Do you have extended warranty? I didn't and learned a lesson from the posts here and others that 2 weeks prior to 36000 miles get an extended warranty till 100K miles that will save lot of anxiety.

#2552 of 3687 Knocking by bthibodeau904

Jun 11, 2003 (7:56 am)

I had this problem early on, on my 2001 LE(approx 8k miles). It would happen on 87-93 octane. I took it to the dealer and ofcourse they thought it was the gas. So they put there own gas in, same problem. My knocking only occurs when in 4th gear around 45mph just loafing along down the road and giving just a little gas and it would ping like crazy.
First, they said i had a dirty mass airflow sensor.
Second, they said that the thermostat was operating corectly but they put a new thermostat in that lowered the coolant temp 10 degrees F.
Now, this did help as long as I ran 93 octane.
 
So, for the last 40k miles i have been running 93 octane. But just recently i have tryed 87 and its not pinging or knocking. Weird?
Like stated in one of the recent posts. These siennas have a high compression ratio engine. Naturally they will require a higher octane. Toyota just doesnt want to tell us this.
Thanks to all who contribute to this town hall. Lots of good info here.

#2553 of 3687 engine knock by spgr

Jun 11, 2003 (9:02 am)

I tried higher octane gas myself and the knocking is gone. What a difference in driving as well!! I am staying with higher octane till gas prices allow me to do so. Thanks for the advice.

#2554 of 3687 2004 Sienna Problems by cyeung65

Jun 13, 2003 (1:29 pm)

OK, just did a search on the 2004 Sienna on this board. The only thing was a DVD problem with the sound system. Anything else? I am sure there are enough 2004 owners out there by now to generate some feedback....silence will be taken that this van is Toyota perfect!!!!!

#2555 of 3687 2004 Sienna Problems by broncoguy

Jun 16, 2003 (5:41 am)

There are some other discussions here and elsewhere on the 'net that includes a few problems with the 2004. The most serious being a transmission problem that now seems to be pretty few and far between. The tranny problem involved some severe hesitation and required the whole transmission to be replaced...but that fixed it completely...on an XLE AWD van sold in Canada.

Messages Page 256 of 370

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