Toyota Aurion Engine Problems

WE HAVE had a number of complaints as a result of the report we ran in Carsguide. Enough to suggest Toyota should do something about it. We're interested in hearing from other Aurion owners so we can get a more detailed picture of the extent of the problem.

If it is only a slight leak you could probably continue to drive it, but if you did it would only get worse and you will eventually have to replace the pump at your cost. I would accept the offer.

We haven't had any other reports of a failure of the VVTi hubs, but perhaps other readers might tell us of any failures they've had. The outcome you've managed to achieve is a reasonable one.

Both have timing chains so there's no requirement to service them.

It does seen unreasonable to have to remove the engine to fix an oil leak at the timing cover, I would take it somewhere else and get another quote. Oil leaks are not uncommon on Toyotas, as they are on other models, so I would doubt that you would win an argument that it wasn't wear-and tear. If the leak isn't a bad one then I would think you could carry on for some time before you needed to have it fixed.
 

TOYOTA saw the previous complaint in our column and has responded as follows: ``The Aurion 2GR alloy V6 engine is designed with carefully matched piston clearances and offset piston specifications designed to minimise friction for maximum performance and fuel economy. It is not abnormal for this type of engine to exhibit a small amount of noise, particularly when first started cold. The type of noise is not in any way detrimental to the engine performance and will not affect the engine's durability or longevity. Toyota will review any customer's concern on noise of this type in their vehicle.'' From that you should assume that most if not all Aurion V6s have the noise, but that it's not a problem that will affect the durability of the engine in the long term.

You say the car had a poor service history when you bought it, and there was sludge under the filler cap. Both should have been warning to you that this car hasn't been well cared for; you are now paying the price. Sludge builds up in the oil galleries when the oil isn't regularly changed, and if let go long enough can cause blockages that can be fatal to an engine. It's rattling, using a lot of oil, and blowing a lot of black smoke, you should have it pulled down and inspected, and possibly rebuilt.
 

There are two schools of thought here. One is that by regularly   cleaning the injectors you will avoid trouble if they clog up, the   other is that it's the dealer selling you an unnecessary service to   make more on the car service. I tend to go along with the latter.

The fuel consumption does appear to vary a lot, too much I would suggest, so I would definitely have the dealer check it. The knocking noise could indicate a faulty knock sensor.

LPG converters say the Aurion takes LPG without a drama, and say they have had cars do over 150,000 km on LPG developing any engine problems. It’s best, however, to install a quality system that’s been well developed to ensure the fuelling is adequate at full throttle. If it’s not adequate and the engine runs lean you can have problems with the sorts of issues you refer to. Go for either a vapour-injection system or a liquid-injection one from a quality brand and you shouldn’t have any trouble. If you are concerned you could purchase a warranty that would cover the system, the installation and the engine in the event you did strike trouble.