Toyota Problems

NORMALLY the timing belt would be changed at 150,000km, but there's usually a time period specified as well as the distance. Your car would have exceeded the time limit, being nine years old. I would definitely change the belt.

CHECK the engine is a Toyota engine because Toyota was fitting the Holden 1.9-litre overhead-valve four-cylinder engine to the Corona at that time. The capacity you quote suggests yours has the ``misfire'' four in it. If it's a Holden engine the compression ratio was 8.7:1, but it's likely to be less than that now. If it runs well I'd continue to use unleaded with an additive.

WE HAVE also heard from other readers and Toyota is not alone here. The trip computer needs the fuel metering input to work, and of course that isn't operable when the engine is running on LPG. The trip computer should still work normally when the engine is running on petrol.

YOUR car is the 30 Series and has the 2AZ-FE 2.4-litre engine. There is a kit manufactured for that model by Sprintgas (ph: 9350 5500). Ask Sprintgas for its experience on the Camry, and perhaps talk to others who have had their cars done.

THE law allows for an error of plus/minus 10 per cent on speedo readings and yours falls within that tolerance. While it clearly annoys you I don't think it's much of a problem and you have suggested three ways of dealing with it. If you drove at the indicated speed you wouldn't break the law, which is probably the best solution. You could guess and that would probably mean a speeding ticket or two. Or you could calculate the error and allow for it. You only have to calculate the error for three speeds, 60, 80 and 100km/h and then either remember them or tape them on your dash.

WHAT you got was Toyota's official answer that they don't recommend fitting LPG. They say that because they haven't tested the engine on LPG and there are no provisions within the engine for it to withstand LPG. Without any evidence that there won't be a problem with LPG, Toyota will -- naturally -- tell you not to convert it. If they did tell you it was OK and you then had a problem, they would be liable to cover the damage. That stands to reason. But that doesn't mean it can't be converted to LPG. Contact a reputable LPG installer and ask for their advice. To find a local installer, visit www.lpgaustralia.com.au.

IF YOUR car is running well with no stalling or rough running, I wouldn't bother with the service. The service manager is more than likely trying to stooge you into handing over more money for something that isn't needed. An injector clean costs about $100. As for fuel system cleaners, my view is they can be effective if you use them regularly, but they don't work so well if you use them only when there's a problem. They are more a prevention than a cure.

THE only hassle with the Prius is the purchase price -- it's higher than an equivalent normal petrol-powered car. The Prius uses a normal, but smaller, petrol engine in conjunction with an electric motor, both of which provide the power under certain conditions. There is no need to plug the car in to recharge the batteries, which is taken care of automatically as you drive.

I DON'T have any direct experience of the system, but South Australian company LPG Autogas Systems has released a dual-fuel system for diesel four-wheel-drives. It substitutes about 20 per cent of LPG, which enters in the intake manifold. It claims that it improves combustion and as a result lifts economy and boosts engine output by about 20 per cent on a naturally aspirated engine.

TOYOTA did release an LPG-compatible engine for Avalon taxis, but the general view of the LPG industry is that the standard Avalon can be run on LPG without any problems with the valves and valve seats.