[mbrem]

2008 Highlander owners beware.

The 2GR-FE engine has a oil line with a rubber hose between 2 steel oil lines that is failing often with no warning. It is the oil line from the oil pump to the VVT (variable valve timing). I have read many many forums and owners are seeing this rubber hose portion of the line split at about 45K miles to 75K miles on 2005-2008 Avalons, RAV4 and Camrys so far. The 08 Highlander has this line also. Owners say their is no warning lights that come on. Most see a pool of oil under the vehicle, smell oil while driving or the serp belt starts slipping on the air conditioning and it acts up because oil is spraying all over the engine. Some have been lucky to stop the engine before they wrecked it, some have not.

Toyota knows about the issue, from a lot of mad owners, but since it does not involve safety, a recall has not happened. No TSB has been issued on the hose rupture problem either. One was issued on the 05 Avalon but was not addressing the hose rupture problem but a hose clamp issue. If the line ruptures, the dealer will replace the hose under the 5yr/60K mile drive train warranty. Some owners have had major engine issues because they didn't stop the engine in time. The 09 models that have the 2GR-FE engines have a solid steel line to solve the problem once and for all.

The one end of the line is located at the top of the engine, passenger side by the shock mount tower. It is a 3/8" dia line and turns straight down to the lower part of the engine. After about 6" of the steel line, the rubber hose is attached by clamps and is then covered by the plastic timing cover and heads to the lower area of the engine.

There is a good write up with pixs at: www.rav4world.com/forum. See post #134. Also, if you google search Avalon oil leak you will see many different forums that contain horror stories from owners of this engine on many Toyota models including the 08 Highlander.

I don't think this problem is getting much discussion in the 08 Highlander forum is the reason I'm bring it up here as well as on Avalon forum. I have both models and thus 2 engines that could loose all the oil with no warning. So 2GR-FE engine owners beware if you don't have an all steel line you have a potential problem that could turn into a major problem.

 

[JMSinMD]

I do remember when I was a service adviser seeing an Avalon come in with this problem. It was such a mess that the service manager got personally involved looking up the TSB. I don't know how someone could miss it, so much oil.

 

[summerwind]

Here is what the Avalon TSB was talking about in 05
Sounds like they improved the part.
If this was a big problem now we should have seen posts regarding this failure here on the forum

Oops forgot page 2

 

[lucky777]

If Toyota was aware about this problem since 2005 why 2008 HLs are affected? On any rate this covered with original warranty for 5 years, and I have extended 7 year warranty. I've done some reading on the net about this issue and looks like this can became a widespread 2008 HL problem with time. TSB that summerwind posted is related to different leaking problem.

This is a picture of new pipe, that RAV4s are having since 2008 model year.

This is a picture of older design

Leaked rubber hose and all metal replacement part. Metal hose part # 15772-31030 and two 90430–16012 gaskets and one 90430–16016 gasket. These are crush type washers that should only be used once.

 

[becks]

With all this said....what is the recommended suggestion here for this potential problem concerning the 08 HL's ?

 

[AXMACD]

the oil line failure is the 2nd generation equivalent of first generation oil gelling.

 

[Gibson99]

the oil line failure is the 2nd generation equivalent of first generation oil gelling.

no, because regular oil changes prevent the sludge problem. nothing will prevent this issue other than replacing the rubber line with the improved all-metal part, or some luck.

 

[lucky777]

With all this said....what is the recommended suggestion here for this potential problem concerning the 08 HL's ?

It would be replacing potentially faulty part with all metal tube. Parts all together should be around $20. Work shouldn't take more then 1 hour. While Toyota will cover tube replacement under the warranty, after tube fails, there is a possibility of engine damage. Toyota will replace damaged engine as well but I'd rather not deal with that. There is no TSB or recall for rubber hose at this point so Toyota will not preventivly replace the tube with a metal one. :headbang:
If Toyota stopped using rubber hose part on 2009 HL then they well aware of the problem, just don't want to make it public. Please someone with 09 HL confirm if you do not have rubber hose on the VVTi pipe. Since oldest HL of current generation is only about 2 years old and under 36-40K miles sh..t is about to heat the fan.

 

[mbrem]

Follow Up

Excellent pix and post from Lucky777.

I have edited my original post for the RAV4 web address. The correct address is http://rav4world.com/forums. See post#134.

The TSB summerwind has posted addressed an early 2005 Avalon oil drip, not hose rupture, leak problem on this VVI line which was addressed by Toyota.

This NEW problem, on the same line, is happening after any Toyota car with the V6 engine, 2GR-FE, gets some miles and age on the vehicle/hose. I am reading on other forums from owners that have this engine that the hose is rupturing on engines with approx 45K miles and up. Pools of oil are found under the car as well as coating the engine. This is not a drip problem. Many owners that have experienced this failure have checked the oil dip stick afterward and NO OIL level shows on the dipstick.

As I wrote in previous post, the dealer will replace the hose after failure, for no cost, if you are still in the 5yr/60k drive train warranty period. This is based on owners failure postings. So the next failure will be "X" miles later, again.

Toyota has installed a new solid, no rubber, metal line on the 2GR-FE engines beginning in late 2008 and all 2009 engines.

Toyota needs to admit they have a major issue with the rubber hose rupturing and replace this line with a solid metal line at no cost to owners. I guess it has to involve safety for a recall. So I guess if you leave a massive, six quart, oil spill on the highway and you or the cars behind you spin out, you now have a safety issue, maybe.

As I wrote on the original post, I will have installed a solid metal tube on my 05 Avalon that has 43K miles on this VVT hose and also on my 08 Highlander which has 10K miles. I don't want to look under my car every time I park and see if I have an oil spill.

Once again, google "Avalon oil leak" and read the horror stories on this engine. The 08 Highlander is next up for these hose failures as miles are put on with no real warning to tell the driver you are spilling your oil fast.

Stop the engine before you do major damage, eliminate the hose or buy a 2009.

 

[lucky777]

If this happens to anyone then don't stop, drive till engine seizes. (if car covered under warranty!) Engine damage will be done even after short drive without oil but if engine is not screwed up bad enough Toyota will not replace it.

 

[TrailDust]

If this happens to anyone then don't stop, drive till engine seizes. (if car covered under warranty!) Engine damage will be done even after short drive without oil but if engine is not screwed up bad enough Toyota will not replace it.

I just hope that doesn't happen to me when I'm out in the boonies. :ugh3: If so Toyota will be getting a big towing bill that they will pay, or else.

 

[lucky777]

As I wrote on the original post, I will have installed a solid metal tube on my 05 Avalon that has 43K miles on this VVT hose and also on my 08 Highlander which has 10K miles. I don't want to look under my car every time I park and see if I have an oil spill.

How bad was to replace VVTi tube in 08HL? Did you make any pictures in process?

 

[jwall]

It would be nice to have a sticky 'How To' once somebody has done this. It doesn't look too difficult though.
I don't think it will be a 'safety' issue (recall) until there are serious injuries or fatalities related to this.

Just my $.02.

 

[becks]

Just wanted to thank Mbrem and Luck77 for this great thread. This will avert some potentially catastrophic repairs.

Thanks Again Guys....:thumbsup:.....:chug:

 

[AXMACD]

Excellent pix and post from Lucky777.

I have edited my original post for the RAV4 web address. The correct address is http://rav4world.com/forums. See post#134.

The TSB summerwind has posted addressed an early 2005 Avalon oil drip, not hose rupture, leak problem on this VVI line which was addressed by Toyota.

This NEW problem, on the same line, is happening after any Toyota car with the V6 engine, 2GR-FE, gets some miles and age on the vehicle/hose. I am reading on other forums from owners that have this engine that the hose is rupturing on engines with approx 45K miles and up. Pools of oil are found under the car as well as coating the engine. This is not a drip problem. Many owners that have experienced this failure have checked the oil dip stick afterward and NO OIL level shows on the dipstick.

As I wrote in previous post, the dealer will replace the hose after failure, for no cost, if you are still in the 5yr/60k drive train warranty period. This is based on owners failure postings. So the next failure will be "X" miles later, again.

Toyota has installed a new solid, no rubber, metal line on the 2GR-FE engines beginning in late 2008 and all 2009 engines.

Toyota needs to admit they have a major issue with the rubber hose rupturing and replace this line with a solid metal line at no cost to owners. I guess it has to involve safety for a recall. So I guess if you leave a massive, six quart, oil spill on the highway and you or the cars behind you spin out, you now have a safety issue, maybe.

As I wrote on the original post, I will have installed a solid metal tube on my 05 Avalon that has 43K miles on this VVT hose and also on my 08 Highlander which has 10K miles. I don't want to look under my car every time I park and see if I have an oil spill.

Once again, google "Avalon oil leak" and read the horror stories on this engine. The 08 Highlander is next up for these hose failures as miles are put on with no real warning to tell the driver you are spilling your oil fast.

Stop the engine before you do major damage, eliminate the hose or buy a 2009.

Define late please I don't want this repair!

 

[mbrem]

I recall from a write up on another forum that Toyota started installing a solid line in April or May of 2008 on new engines. This info has NOT been verified. To know for sure one needs to check to see if the hose exists on their engine. It can be seen quite easily from above.

 

[AXMACD]

I recall from a write up on another forum that Toyota started installing a solid line in April or May of 2008 on new engines. This info has NOT been verified. To know for sure one needs to check to see if the hose exists on their engine. It can be seen quite easily from above.

I have a build date of 06/08, as soon as somebody tells me how to check I will confirm!

 

[lucky777]

I have a build date of 06/08, as soon as somebody tells me how to check I will confirm!

It's already been told. Read post #1 and look at pictures on post #4
:welcome:

 

[summerwind]

It's already been told. Read post #1 and look at pictures on post #4
:welcome:

Yeap.

Open the hood
stand on the passenger side
refer to the pic in post #4 look toward the firewall at the back of the engine.
If you have the pipe with the hose you will see the clamp and a bit of the hose.

Mine still has the hose.

 

[nov0798]

I have an 08, and it has a hard line!

http://i610.photobucket.com/albums/tt190/nov0798/IMG_0011.jpg