Oil Line gone at 70K - Tough luck says Toyota

[TacomaAvalon]

Just got my Avalon towed to Fox Toyota and had the oil line replaced after it burst on the drive to work. I called Toyota and they told me it only would have been covered if I had taken it before 60K miles. I thought I would mention it in case anybody thinks they don't need to have this checked. I was surprised how this breaks with no warning and luckily I check the car often out of habit. I have had good luck with previous Toyotas but not this one. A steering column, brakes, trans and several other troubles have led me to think this may be the worst car I have owned from a reliability standpoint. The service tech told me that we were lucky since it did not ruin the cams or engine. If it had he said it runs up over 4000 dollars to have the head fixed. I will keep my truck but I think my next car may be a Nissan or Honda as I have had much better luck with them on a 350Z and an Accord.

[billberry12]

What year and trim level are you talking about here?

[TacomaAvalon]

It is a 2005 XLS that we bought new.

[billberry12]

Bummer! Do you think it's because that was the first year of the third generation?

I have a 2008 Touring, and so far so good.

[TacomaAvalon]

I think it is because it had 70K miles on it. If you Google Avalon Oil Leak you will see that it is very common. There is even a YouTube video showing the oil pouring out. Had I known this it would have saved me money and time. That is why I am passing it on. Surely they will have changed it by 2008?

[billberry12]

Thanks for the warning. Next time I have mine serviced at the Dealership, I will ask them to check on it. That's about all I can do don't you think?

[TacomaAvalon]

Here is a video - have a look:

You Tube

You Tube

In the video post it says it was fixed in 2008.

[TForan]

Same thing happened with my 2005 Touring. Toyota wouldn't cover the bill, so that was the last Toyota I will ever buy. What a crap vehicle.

[TacomaAvalon]

Today I went and looked at an Acura TL that I may consider. I reviwed their forum and can hardly find any negative comments. Also I still keep getting useless email from Toyota telling me to deal with the dealer on this? I told the dealer and they sent me to Toyota, so I just tired of playing pass the buck. The dealer didn't build the car so i think it is Toyota that really needs to issue a recall and quit acting like it doesn't exist. Now that I continue to research this it appears as if they all will fail if not replaced. Also they replace it with another rubber line -so it will too given similar mileage. I certainly wish all of you better luck and DO keep an eye on it because it bursts when it fails - not a gradual drip as they refer to it.

[mbrem]

I did a search on the 05-09 Avalon oil leaks and found many many posts about the VVT (variable valve timing) oil line hose rupture. It is not the drip problem which a TSB was issued about in 05. This involves the rubber portion of the line rupturing between the two steel oil lines and if it goes you get no alarms or anything to alert you other than oil smell or air conditioning belt slipping. Good chance of damaging engine from lack of oil and some have had to replace engines.

I have read that the 09 Avalon's now have a solid steel line which eliminates the rubber hose stuck between two steel lines. One posting said Toyota posted a Tech Tip 2310 Sept 08. Another listed a Toyota part #15772-31030 as an all steel line that is now used on the RAV 4 also. Another post said he had his 3 piece line replaced with the one piece line for $39.22 for parts and $126 for labor which seems cheap but it's much cheaper than a engine.

Toyota knows about the problem but has not issued a TSB. Some posts say that it is covered under the 5yr/60K power train warranty if the hose fails. If the hose has not yet failed, most owners are paying to remove the hose and go with a solid line. I guess it's up to each dealer and how nice you can be with him to work with you on cost.

I have not verified any part numbers listed above for accuracy but will be headed to my dealer to talk it over on the options and cost. Stay tuned for further updates. My 05 is till within the 5/60 warranty for what it's worth.

[onefiend]

Avalon owners should read this
ATTN: All 2GR-FE V6 OWNERS!! *UPDATE* OIL HOSE REPLACEMENT (PG 23)

[TacomaAvalon]

The dealer (Fox) called me at home to say that they decided to cover this. He also did not deny that there is a problem - so they will keep my business. I still think Toyota ought to recall this. Compared to floor mats or whatever the latest recall bug is, this seems to be a bigger deal. onefiend thanks for posting that link. The 'new' hose on my car does have a larger piece of rubber so I hope the problem is solved.
I guess I need to get used to taking my car in to let them look for problems? in the past I had always just waited for the recall or whatever and done the oil changes myself.

[TacomaAvalon]

mbrem: thanks for the info. If you hunt around you can find that many of them fail at around 72K miles. Knowing that I would ask them to replace yours before it is past 60K.

[mbrem]

I am going to insist that the hose/line be replaced with a solid steel line just like Toyota has on the 2009 2GR-FE engines on many models. There is a very good write-up and pixs on the line replacement at: www.rav4world.com/forum see post#134

[onefiend]

Another DIY
http://au.toyotaownersclub.com/forum...howtopic=22775

This is the correct link for the DIY on Rav4World (post #134)
http://rav4world.com/forums/viewtopi...asc&&start=120