1997 Prado TX Purchase

[penetrator]

Hi Guy's,

Been a member here for years although absent for quite some time due to starting a family and down grading to a 'family wagon'. Anyway, about to get a 4wd again being a 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado with the intercooled 1KZ-TE turbo diesel engine and auto trans with 138k on the clock . I'm travelling from Cromwell to pick it up from CHCH at the end of this week.

I was going to purchase all the oils and filters etc. and service it when I get home but given that its going to be a 500km + trip home (little detour for a hunt!) thought id get it serviced in CHCH on Friday before leaving. Does anyone have any experience with Oil Changers in Hornby and is their engine flush advertised on their web page suitable for the 1KZ-TE engine?

Also, it seems there are two types of air filter available - one with a hole in each end and one with a cap on end - any advice on which one I should be purchasing would be appreciated.

[stu_71]

No idea about oil changers, never used them. An engine flush? Nah I wouldn't think so...
Re the air filter. You'd need to get a parts check but I've never seen one that had open ends both sides on a diesel, maybe that's the petrol version?

[derk]

also never been too keen on engine flushes unless its apart for a rebuild, all the crusty shit and crap stuck to the inside of the block is probably better off left where its stuck and not doing any harm than floating around the oil galleries and bearing journals

[KIWI_TERRANO]

The two times i have used oil changers hornby ive been less than happy..

First time they over filled the hell out of it and i ended up draining some out when got home...

Secound time the drain plug was only finger tight.. Talk to rick at 4wd accerioes although i believe he changed his name

[penetrator]

Cheers for the info guys. I had been cautiously thinking an engine flush may not be a good idea and oil changers may not be the best service - haven't responded to my request for quote to do it either.... Trying to get a price from a mechanic to do it and flush and replace coolant and thermostat etc. at the same time.

[derk]

as far as the oil change goes its an unskilled labourers job to whip the bung out, drain the oil, stick the bung back in, screw a new filter on and fill it back up with oil so don't get too hung up over who does it some people get a bit picky over what type and grade oil goes in and others are only concerned with old dirty oil being replaced with new clean oil and some people get a bit picky about what brand filter and others are only interested in the old filter being replaced with a new one googles your friend and you'll probably find the whole lots a 50/50 split

[derk]

The main things I would be concerned about are:
the 1kz head cracking issues and what you can do to minimise the risk
the weak transfercases that are a common failure, I think they shove kzn185 surf transfercases on them as an upgrade/replacement
the front suspension balljoints that fail without warning leaving the front hub and wheel dragging under the truck or left 50m down the road