UK Specialists??

Hi all,

I have a 95 super custom super long cruising cabin with a 3L.

Love this van but have had the feeling I paid over the odds for it several times. There is quite a bit of bubble rust and some more serious looking bits in the body which I want to get looked at and also the engine just doesn't seem right to me. Its going through oil like nobody business (1.5l on a trip from London to North devon and back) and has become very knocky on idle, when waiting at the lights for instance. Difficult to fully figure it all out as the odo isn't right and the trip calculator is waaaaayyy out.

Long story short after a year of ownership this bad boy needs some investment. Anyone know of good coach workers in UK, preferably London area? And is there such a thing as a mid 90's hiace expert anywhere in UK? haha, or any camper specialist/mechanic that anyone can recommend would be great. I want to get these niggles sorted before they become real problems....

Oh, and lastly, I feel that the oil consumption is due to it being burned so am thinking rings/pistons. Anyone ever had a 3L reconditioned? is it worth doing?

Thanks

I can't help you with that, but I would try to sort out the mechanical issues first.

It is a very very basic diesel engine, so that means any mechanic with experience on diesel engines can look at the issue. Preferably any kind of shop that has more experience with diesel engines.
If the oil is being burned I guess you would see it in smoke coming from the exhaust? Possibly a bit blue smoke?
If it is leaking, it should leave its traces under the car obviously.
How is the coolant? Is there any kind of oily substance in the coolant reservoir?

As far as the body is concerned, you can actually get replacement weld in panels for the lower half of the car. So in your case the blue part.

As noted, a decent diesel specialist should be able to help, the engine sounds very similar to the Hilux engine.

Have a look at this post for a restoration company that did great work on a hiace belonging to 'funbus'.
https://hiace-super-custom.forumotion.com/t3091-new-tailgate-and-doors-needed

P.S.
As I replace my headlights for Transit Mk5's and wonder about being able to keep it going with patchy spares I sometimes look over at how the VW's compare. I always assumed the modern shape (T4 on) were as good as my old Peugeot car and just went on and on, but then I read about rust around the windscreens and was surprised today to read about rust on the T6 after only a few weeks! So don't despair, the grass isn't greener, you just need to find a competent diesel guy and a proper restoration place - perhaps one that does the old VW classic vans may be interested.

https://www.t6forum.com/forums/vehicle-faults-warranty-repairs-issues-problems.36/

The 3L was fitted to Hilux's, but same thing as the HiAce, JDM only.

However, it's not all bad news. Parts availability is good, fair bit still available from Toyota. The basic block and ancilleries are same as the 2L (2.4D).

Parts diagrams for 3L here: http://japan-parts.eu/toyota/jp/1995/hiace-regiusace/lh119v-rrpes/4_711140_106_/tool-engine-fuel

Genuine Toyota parts at discounted prices from: http://www.allcarpartsfast.co.uk/

Hilux specialist, but as above, 3L was fitted to JDM Hiluxes: http://www.roughtrax4x4.com/toyota-4x4-parts/engine-parts.html

And don't forget good ole ebay (piston rings as an example) https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PISTON-RING-SET-TOYOTA-3L-FOR-HIACE-HILUX-SURF-4-RUNNER-2-8-LTR-EL-91-99-913/271639811483?hash=item3f3efe959b:g:oMwAAOSw6EhUQqem

Sorry, can't recommend anyone for doing the work.

Hiace4wd wrote:

I can't help you with that, but I would try to sort out the mechanical issues first.

It is a very very basic diesel engine, so that means any mechanic with experience on diesel engines can look at the issue. Preferably any kind of shop that has more experience with diesel engines.
If the oil is being burned I guess you would see it in smoke coming from the exhaust? Possibly a bit blue smoke?
If it is leaking, it should leave its traces under the car obviously.
How is the coolant? Is there any kind of oily substance in the coolant reservoir?

As far as the body is concerned, you can actually get replacement weld in panels for the lower half of the car. So in your case the blue part.

Thanks hiace4wd, the van has been with some very good audi mechanics that i know and they recommended a strip down to diagnose the leak as nothing obvious. Nothing on the ground, small amount of mainly white smoke (goes black on hard acceleration uphill). nothing I've noticed in the coolant, what would that signify?

Thanks for the tip on the bodywork, I am happy to attempt basics (I have changed the door switches and oil and air filters and flushed the coolant) but that is a job for the experts I think...

Jaz

TwentyOneThirtyFive wrote:

The 3L was fitted to Hilux's, but same thing as the HiAce, JDM only.

However, it's not all bad news.  Parts availability is good, fair bit still available from Toyota.  The basic block and ancilleries are same as the 2L (2.4D).

Parts diagrams for 3L here: http://japan-parts.eu/toyota/jp/1995/hiace-regiusace/lh119v-rrpes/4_711140_106_/tool-engine-fuel

Genuine Toyota parts at discounted prices from: http://www.allcarpartsfast.co.uk/

Hilux specialist, but as above, 3L was fitted to JDM Hiluxes: http://www.roughtrax4x4.com/toyota-4x4-parts/engine-parts.html

And don't forget good ole ebay (piston rings as an example) https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PISTON-RING-SET-TOYOTA-3L-FOR-HIACE-HILUX-SURF-4-RUNNER-2-8-LTR-EL-91-99-913/271639811483?hash=item3f3efe959b:g:oMwAAOSw6EhUQqem

Sorry, can't recommend anyone for doing the work.

Great links thank you mate, will come in very handy.

Jaz

Hi shame about the van you bought this could be a case of economics as garages are very expensive these days and its easy to see why with rent rates costs to employ and then factor in one has to guarantee all work imagine engine rebuild actual cost say £1000 what would be a fare amount to guarantee the work. Main dealers charge £75 upwards per hour lucky if you find an independent for less than £50. Fortunately I have never paid a garage bill other than MOT, I have facilities to do all my own work including rebuilding several engines gearboxes and differentials none of which has failed, I am not a trained mechanic (bricklayer by trade) and the only books I have ever read are Haynes manuals. Sorry but sounds like your lovely van is uneconomic to repair, just run it till it drops in bits.

GPW wrote:

As noted, a decent diesel specialist should be able to help, the engine sounds very similar to the Hilux engine.

Have a look at this post for a restoration company that did great work on a hiace belonging to 'funbus'.
https://hiace-super-custom.forumotion.com/t3091-new-tailgate-and-doors-needed

P.S.
As I replace my headlights for Transit Mk5's and wonder about being able to keep it going with patchy spares I sometimes look over at how the VW's compare. I always assumed the modern shape (T4 on) were as good as my old Peugeot car and just went on and on, but then I read about rust around the windscreens and was surprised today to read about rust on the T6 after only a few weeks! So don't despair, the grass isn't greener, you just need to find a competent diesel guy and a proper restoration place - perhaps one that does the old VW classic vans may be interested.

https://www.t6forum.com/forums/vehicle-faults-warranty-repairs-issues-problems.36/

Thanks mate, yeah that south coast place looks good, I will email for a quote for sure. And yes you're right about the grass, I have seen lots of ropey looking dubs, theres two on my street!

JT69 wrote:

Hi shame about the van you bought this could be a case of economics as garages are very expensive these days and its easy to see why with rent rates costs to employ and then factor in one has to guarantee all work imagine engine rebuild actual cost say £1000 what would be a fare amount to guarantee the work. Main dealers charge £75 upwards per hour lucky if you find an independent for less than £50. Fortunately I have never paid a garage bill other than MOT, I have facilities to do all my own work including rebuilding several engines gearboxes and differentials none of which has failed, I am not a trained mechanic (bricklayer by trade) and the only books I have ever read are Haynes manuals. Sorry but sounds like your lovely van is uneconomic to repair, just run it till it drops in bits.

Haha spoken like a true yorkshireman! Its definitely going to be a fair whack (Although £75 an hour seems a bit sensationalist, guys I know around London charge £40) but looking long term the economics work out I think. Get the van working sweet and with properly protected bodywork and look to get another 15 years or so out of it is the plan...

A true optimist please keep us posted how it goes .

Jazmium wrote:

Although £75 an hour seems a bit sensationalist, guys I know around London charge £40)

LOL, if you can find a mechanic for £40 then grab them by both arms! Even in Cambridge our local garage at the top of the road is £90 per hour, they charged over £50 to re-seat a tyre.

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=garage+labour+costs+in+the+UK&ia=news

• Of the 67 counties included in the study, London is the most expensive place in which to get your car fixed, at an average £91.99 an hour for franchised and non-franchised garages combined.
  

It's easy to pay over £200 per hour in London, when you consider a new Renault Trafic costs £20,000 repairing stuff is only for the rich!
I tend to do the stuff myself as well though, the money saved is HUGE and it also reduced the 'unknown' factor as you get to know the design and mechanics better.

GPW wrote:

Jazmium wrote:

Although £75 an hour seems a bit sensationalist, guys I know around London charge £40)

LOL, if you can find a mechanic for £40 then grab them by both arms! Even in Cambridge our local garage at the top of the road is £90 per hour, they charged over £50 to re-seat a tyre.

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=garage+labour+costs+in+the+UK&ia=news

• Of the 67 counties included in the study, London is the most expensive place in which to get your car fixed, at an average £91.99 an hour for franchised and non-franchised garages combined.
  

It's easy to pay over £200 per hour in London, when you consider a new Renault Trafic costs £20,000 repairing stuff is only for the rich!
I tend to do the stuff myself as well though, the money saved is HUGE and it also reduced the 'unknown' factor as you get to know the design and mechanics better.

Crikey.... I'm glad I've been using them guys then! Yeah totally agree on doing it yourself, currently no time though and slightly intimidated about starting with zero knowledge, no space to work and potential serious issues.

Jazmium wrote:

slightly intimidated about starting with zero knowledge, no space to work and potential serious issues.

I specialise in starting something and then deciding to do other jobs 'while I have access' and the job quickly snowballs
With DIY I think you have to be careful to limit yourself to a job you can finish, as half finished means you have no options left!

I have got to finish it in April though as I need to use it this summer!!

With me fixing my car is my hobby with it come a lot of responsibility, liability . I will not fix cars for friends etc I will help them DIY there own cars but do make sure they not me are responsible take a simple thing like changing a wheel, fail to torque the nuts properly drive down the motorway and the wheel comes off !!!! what a liability???.

Jazmium wrote:

Nothing on the ground, small amount of mainly white smoke (goes black on hard acceleration uphill). nothing I've noticed in the coolant, what would that signify?

That sounds more like unburnt fuel than oil to me.

oil in coolant would signify head gasket failure.

However, the oil must be going somewhere, that is a lot to be losing.

What oil are us using?