Toyota Kluger 2004 Problems

The model Kluger you are referring to uses an engine with the code-name 3MZ-FE. It uses a timing belt rather than a timing chain, so it requires periodic belt changes. This is especially important as the version of the engine fitted to your car is an interference type. That means that the pistons cannot move freely up and down if the camshafts aren’t also turning and, if the belt breaks while the engine is running, the ensuing collision between pistons and valves will probably destroy the engine.

Toyota recommends a timing-belt change every 150,000km which is actually pretty good compared with many other engines which require a new belt closer to every 100,000km or even less. The other piece of advice is to replace the belt tensioners and water pump while the engine is apart for the timing-belt replacement. It’s a lot cheaper to replace those items at that point, rather than having to open the engine up again down the track.

We haven't had any other reports of this sort at Cars Guide, but perhaps readers could tell us about their experience with this model.   Before you do anything else have an auto electrician take a look at it to see if it's possible to repair the screen. Depending on the   advice of the auto elec you have two options as I see it; replace the screen with one from the wrecker, or simply use a portable GPS. If you decide on the latter and you don't fix the GPS in the car its value will be affected and it will be harder to sell the car later on.

CORRECT. No one has done the testing to certify the Kluger on LPG. You could ask a system importer or manufacturer to develop a system on your car, but they would need the car for six to eight weeks, which may be inconvenient.

BEFORE the advent of bigger front-wheel-drive family cars from Toyota and Mitsubishi in the '90s, we mostly used rear-wheel-drive cars for towing. They are still preferred for towing because the weight over the rear wheels is an advantage. The recent popularity of all-wheel-drive cars, including 4WDs, has further clouded the towing issue. If I were to go on the round-Australia dream drive, I would take an all-wheel-drive. Not for the towing, but to get to those out-of-the-way tourist destinations that I couldn't get to with a two-wheel-drive car.