2005 Avalon ?question?

[Jas3600]

Hey folks,
I am looking at an 05 Avalon XLS
great car great maintence record.
However, I was reading a Consumer
Report Buyers Guide and it raved on
review, but only the 05 had a all black
dot under Minor Engine. Solid black is
horrible to see when comparing all the other
years it stuck out like a sore thumb
ok my question is what could be the minor
engine problems that Consumer Reports
is dogging this year for. I am ready to buy
this car for my wife but this red flag has
me worried. What you guys have
to tell me is much much appreciated

[mbrem]

Changing the VVTi oil hose that might leak someday would be considered minor engine repair. Mine was changed and it was coded minor engine repair.

[Jas3600]

Thank you mbrem for the info. Was that preventitive or did yours begin leaking?

If that's it I'm not too worried.

She absolutely loves our Camry, so the Avalon should totally spoil her!
I'm gonna start using the Camry for my work car, so we both win

is this oil line feed the overhead cams?
And if it was leaking was it gushing oil or just a little leak?

[boosted-fc3s]

I think on the 05 there was an unused bolt that oil could leak from as well (this was covered by a technical bulletin I saw a while back, if memory serves), in addition to the oil hose that is prone to leaking.

[Jas3600]

Thanks BOOSTED. If I buy this 05 I will make the dealer go thru and check these indicates oil leaking areas.

If any other areas of concern that ang of you are aware of please let me know to make sure they deal w/ it before they sell it to me.

It is a Toyota Dealer that has the car, so hopefully they make it right

Thanks for re info.

[mbrem]

My VVTi oil line hose repair came before Toyota came out with the service bulletin to replace the original hose with another improved hose. I told the dealer I had an oil drip in the general area of the VVTi line hose. No rupture or large leak. They said they would replace it with the solid metal line after talking with the area rep. No hassle and no cost to me. About 2 weeks later. Toyota came out with the improved hose which is the current solution. However 2010 Avalons have the metal hose as standard.

[Ciscokid1957]

Hi,
I had my VVTI hose replaced with the improved (kevlar reinforced) hose a few weeks ago. I asked about using the all metal line and the response was that the metal line is not recommended for replacement on these models because being that the line is ridged undue torque would be placed on the line and could potentially cause issues later. At least that is what I was told.

Regards,
ck

[mac12]

Don't the 05's also have a problem with the steering sector joints?