I have had a number of queries from Estima owners/prospective Estima owners regarding the vehicle, which I have not been able to answer. So maybe you could help!

Previously answered queries now reside on the FAQ page.

        A.    ?

        A.    ?

        A.    ?

4.    Q.    Has anyone out there converted a 1991 Previa widebody from 5 speed to an automatic transmission? What parts are required and does it all bolt in or are there body modifications etc required?

        A.    ?

5.   Q.    Can anyone recommend a good oil?

        A.    ?

6.    Q.    Can anyone tell me where I can get a set of roof bars or a roof box for my estima fitted with the optional semi high "J Roof" (Joyful Canopy)?

        A.    ?

7.    Q.    I am trying to find a good source of a tail pipe for my exhaust. The only source I can find is JEM and the cost is c£250.00. Any ideas?

        A.    ?

8.    Q.    Can anyone help me with instructions for removing the rear ceiling mounted aircon unit, so that I can do something about the fan which has become noisy? I can see some screws but can't get to them. Your help will be appreciated.

        A.    i) To access the intake filters, you only need to remove the two front grills (3 screws each), but to access anything else (motors etc.) you will also need to perform the following (after removing the intake grills): -

Remove the centre dress panel (unclips), then remove the 3 screws underneath,
Exhaust grills - 3 screws each,
End covers - carefully (!!!) open these out by stretching them wide, then pulling them down,
Remove the 2 end "rubber band" retainers,
Remove the remaining cover retaining screws - 2 at each end - and remove lower cover.

This will expose the motors, heat exchanger, etc. Note that it will be VERY difficult to accually remove the entire unit from the vehicle, as the refrigerant lines preclude this. Unless you want to re-gas the system that is! (Thanks to Wayne Poll)

        A.    ii)  Toyota seem to use two makes of aircon unit on the Previa models hopefully one will be similar to the Estima unit. Instructions are as follows.

• disconnect battery
• unscrew & remove left & right air inlet/outlet grilles & filters
• unscrew lower casing (nine screws) & remove WATCH OUT FOR CONDENSATE IN LOWER CASE
• disengage the clips of the blower case and seperate the halves
• the blower motor may then be removed  (Thanks to S. Richards)

9.    Q.    I had 4 new tyres fitted last weekend but was unable to get the tracking checked because the vehicle isn't listed in their books. Do you know what the tracking should be on an Emina X, 4wd, 2.2td?

        A. 

10.    Q.    I've just got back from a weekend away towing my new caravan and noticed a lot of "bounce" at the back of the car (Lucida 2.2TD Auto). Can some sort of suspension assistors be fitted or are uprated shocks available?

11.    Q.    I have a problem with the steering wheel of my Estima Emina (CXR10G Estima X 2.2 Turbo Diesel, 1993 model) which I bought recently from a dealer. Can you please help to find out how to fix this problem.

The steering wheel vibrates quite a bit at the speed of 80 - 95 Km/hr. It however drives well at both ends of the speed scale. I have brought the car back to the dealer to check on the ball joints, wheel balancing etc and found nothing wrong. I have also done the wheel alignment. This does not fix the problem either. Tilting the steering wheel to a lower position seems to lessen the vibration. The dealer suggested that a pair of good new tyres when the existing new tyres were worn should fix the problem. The existing tyres were supplied by the dealer as a package deal. However they are from China.

12.    Q.    I have a problem closing the side door of my Estima Lucida TCR11G. Every time I have to slam the door in order for it to close properly. I am sure there is some problem with it.

13.    Q.    I have a Toyota Estima Lucida 2.2 litre Diesel with 50,000 kms. (3C engine). The service agent has overfilled the engine by approx. 750 mls. on the last two services. This was observed by an oil level about one centimetre above the full mark on the engine dipstick. I need a technical opinion on whether this could have damaged the rings/seals etc?

        A.   I cannot guarantee but usually most Japanese engines are capable of taking about a litre in excess of what it is specified to take. Some people do over fill the oil time to time so I reckon this is an unofficial safety margin set by the manufacturer. Up to a litre is usually OK, but anything above that would be quite leathal to the engine. 2 litre will start to smoke although no difference in engine performance can be felt.

So, I would say the engine may not suffered any damage. But check the exhaust to see any excessive smoke coming out. When the engine gets overfilled severely, the crankshaft will whack the oil about
inside the engine causing smoke to come out of the exhaust. If there is excessive smoke present, it may have caused some damage, i.e. valves and intake air systems covered in oil so needs to be overhauled and cleaned to prevent future problems.

If it seems to be OK, it is still advised to drain the excess amount and not to overfill in the future. (Thanks to JJ aka MAD Mechanic)