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Toyota Highlander

10987 messages,  Last post on Mar 03, 2013 at 9:13 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Highlander, SUV

Messages Page 1009 of 1099

#10081 of 10987 Toyota Highlander HIGH oil consumption by skutflut

Jun 12, 2005 (3:06 pm)

I have a 2001 Highlander 3.0 litre V6 4WD. This car has been great except for one problem that I am about to go to the dealer with for the second time. At highway speeds, (above 2700 RPM on the tach) it uses oil like I owned an oil well.
 
Back in Sept 2004, after a year of "monitoring" the situation, the dealer replaced the piston rings and valve seals on the engine. They told me that the oil rings were seized. I accepted that explanation since it sounded reasonable.
 
I don't do all that much highway long distance driving so it was not until this last week during my family vacation trip that I found out that the problem is not solved. A 1200KM trip required 6 quarts of oil.
 
I found it down 2 quarts at the first fuel stop, which was after about 300 miles at 65-70 mph (2700-3000 rpm). One more quart went in at about 450 miles.
 
I then experimented a bit on a side trip one day and kept the speed down around 55-60 for 180 miles and it did not use a drop of oil. On the return leg of that trip, I let the speed move up again to my normal cruising range of 65-70 and sure enough, another quart of oil disappeared. It took 3 more quarts to get home. Right now, its down at least one quart, since I wanted the dealer to see that there is oil missing since they did oil and filter about 1800 miles ago.
 
Can anybody comment on what is going on with this engine? I don't know enough about the internals to make an informed argument with the dealer who I will be visiting tomorrow. I still have warranty (60000 mile/ 5 year power train) and Im pretty sure they will have to do something, but since they have already DONE a partial rebuild and not fixed the problem, what should I suggest they look at since its obviously more than rings and valve seals. Having the car laid up for a week or more at a time with no loaner is a PItA.
 
Any advise or insight would be greatly appreciated.
 
Regards
 
Skutflut

#10082 of 10987 Re: 3rd row seat [typesix] by jjoe

Jun 13, 2005 (8:48 am)

Replying to: typesix (Mar 11, 2005 11:26 am)
I'm researching the same issue for an 06 Highlander. Can't find it on a search of the globe using a number of keywords. Anyone know the author or title of the article?

#10083 of 10987 skutflut - High Oil Consumption by felt

Jun 14, 2005 (6:56 am)

Sorry to hear of your problems. I too have a 2001, same V6, and have not experienced any of the problems you describe. I do know that the engine had some early sludge problems .... and Toyota issue an extended warranty on the engine ... 100,000 miles as I recall.
 
This does not answer your question, but I certainly would look into the sludge issue, and the extended warranty.
 
Good lick ... keep us informed.

#10084 of 10987 Oil filter location in 05 highlander (v6, 2wd) by kumars

Jun 19, 2005 (10:45 pm)

I feel pretty stupid having drained the oil and not able to locate the oil filter even after jacking up my 05 highlander.
Can someone please let me know where the oil filter is and the best way to identify and access it?
I regularly jack up my nissan altima -98 v4 and do oil changes pretty quickly. I kind of expected it to be easily identifiable once I jacked it up... this is my first oil change on the HL at 4k and am stumped! It is sitting there for hours now with the hood up...
 
thanks in advance.
kumars

#10085 of 10987 Re: Oil filter location in 05 highlander (v6, 2wd) [kumars] by mckeown

Jun 20, 2005 (3:34 am)

Replying to: kumars (Jun 19, 2005 10:45 pm)
V6 is front center of the engine just below the exhaust manifold. Remove the narrow plastic shield from the bottom. It's attached between the lower bumper fascia and the frame. 6, 8, 10 screws, I can't remember right now. But that will give you easy access from below.

#10086 of 10987 2006 "gas" Highlander? by mactel

Jun 20, 2005 (5:43 pm)

Does anyone have info on when the 2006 gas highlander hits the showrooms?
 
I found the following on quote on the motor trend website talking about future autos:
 
"2006 Toyota Highlander: Redesign. Increase in size to allow better third-row access and to better compete with the Honda Pilot."
 
I'm considering either the a forester or a highlander. I just test drove an 06 forester. I wonder how long i'll have to wait to test drive an 06 highlander.

#10087 of 10987 Vibrations on the highway? by planojoe1

Jun 20, 2005 (6:08 pm)

'02 Highlander AWD w/62k
 
Around 45k began to feel vibrations at 70-73 MPH. Balanced, rebalanced, and balanced again then set of tires...no change. No difference after rotation either.
 
Placed new set of tires on last month, but first checked balance of rims only before mounting new tires...clean bill...absolutely no problems seen/detected.. Still, same persistent vibration. Note: Also started to hear metalic "hit" when traveling (at any speed) with any type of road deflection/bump.
 
Dealer claims 1) they "can't duplicate the problem" (no surprise!) , 2) have no reports of vibrations on Highlanders, and 3) have no clue what the issue could be.
 
Co-worker claims relative in another state had similar problem that turned out to be a transmission/axle problem (he wasn't any more specific).
 
Does this sound familiar to anyone? Any decent ideas on what I'm looking at or what to investigate?
 
Many thanks!

#10088 of 10987 Not unusual.... by wwest

Jun 20, 2005 (7:23 pm)

for the "needle" roller bearings in the U-joints in the rear driveshaft to cause your problem.

#10089 of 10987 2006 Highlander by toyotaken

Jun 20, 2005 (9:01 pm)

Replying to: mactel (Jun 20, 2005 5:43 pm)
Without being able to read a crystal ball, Toyota typically brings out their new model year vehicles for imported vehicles around August or September. The re-design is not scheduled until the 2007 model year as well.
 
Hope this helps.
 
Ken

#10090 of 10987 Redesigned Highlander by rbleland

Jun 20, 2005 (9:35 pm)

Replying to: mactel (Jun 20, 2005 5:43 pm)
My understanding is also that the Highlander will NOT be redesigned for 2006, but will be for 2007. Toyota just brought out the 2006 Highlander Hybrid which is not redesigned from the 2005s so it is very unlikely that the regular gas HL will be redisigned for 2006 and make the Hybrid obsolete immediately.

Messages Page 1009 of 1099

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