Mike737 Posted September 7, 2014 Report Share Posted September 7, 2014 Hi, I'm hoping someone can throw some light on this for me. My son's girlfriend has a Toyota Previa, and it started just cutting out, but then would restart ok. He was advised to change the fuel pick-up filter (known as a tea bag because of its appearance), but this didn't improve matters. Now however, it is chucking out lots of blueish smoke, is really difficult to start, and conks out within a few yards if it does get going. He has posted on the Previa forum, but it's very slow-moving, and a post a week ago has not yet attracted a reply... (Not like this forum!). The water level is a little below minimum, but we can't see any signs of leakage. Head? Head gasket? Timing? Any assistance gratefully accepted. Thanks, Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted September 7, 2014 Report Share Posted September 7, 2014 check the fuel filter....cause this can happen sometimes see below Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesj Posted September 7, 2014 Report Share Posted September 7, 2014 Change the fuel filter first, had a lot of cars doing the same in the last year even my own truck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armsid Posted September 7, 2014 Report Share Posted September 7, 2014 as regards h/gasket check water pipe on drivers side at rear of wheel arch this tends to rot and ends up like a cullinder under all the muck. as regards filter i would change it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshie Posted September 7, 2014 Report Share Posted September 7, 2014 Bluish smoke would suggest burning oil. Timing problems normally result in white smoke or black smoke, so unlikely to be that IMO. Obviously best to start with the cheap options first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hodge911 Posted September 7, 2014 Report Share Posted September 7, 2014 (edited) Bluish smoke would suggest burning oil. Timing problems normally result in white smoke or black smoke, so unlikely to be that IMO. Obviously best to start with the cheap options first. spot on blue smoke = oil black/grey smoke = diesel white-ish can suggest water getting into combustion gasses . is the engine management light on? . could be the M.A.P sensor gone faulty. but like others have said start with the simple least expensive and change the fuel filter . a mates x-trail had a very similar fault but he did not suspect the fuel filter as it had only been on about 8/10 weeks but to eliminate it we changed it and hey ho that was the fault sorted good luck Edited September 7, 2014 by hodge911 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted September 7, 2014 Report Share Posted September 7, 2014 Stick your finger in the rocker box....and scrape any residue on to it...withdraw it and it should be BLACK.....if it is grey...greyish....grey sludge.......water mixing with oil...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike737 Posted September 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2014 Thanks everyone, will get a look at the filter and check out the rocker box as well. Cheers, Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fieldwanderer Posted September 7, 2014 Report Share Posted September 7, 2014 My first thought was drawing air into fuel, land rovers used to be prone to this as metal pipes coming out of sender unit rotted. Second thought was clogged air filter (I'm ignoring fuel filter as it's already been suggested). Intercooler full of oil? This blew my sisters laguna up last year, oil comes from breather. Clogged / stuck egr valve, certainly worth a look. As is split air hoses or they can collapse inside and block air off. Is it new enough to have a d.p.f? (After 2006) that could be blocked but would most likely put a light on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted September 7, 2014 Report Share Posted September 7, 2014 Turbo bearings gone and flooding with oil? Then burning it off? You probably find the same motor fitted to multiple Toyota cars 2.4? So worth looking at those forums etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8 90 Posted September 7, 2014 Report Share Posted September 7, 2014 EGR stuck ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted September 7, 2014 Report Share Posted September 7, 2014 i changed the fule filter,and it was ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike737 Posted September 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2014 It's an 'N' reg, so I don't think it will have a DPF. Air filter was certainly clogged, but we tried starting it with no air filter in place, and same result. A new one is on its way though, along with a full service kit! I (we) will check all the other suggestions as well, thanks everyone. Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delburt0 Posted September 7, 2014 Report Share Posted September 7, 2014 Wouldn't think fuel related personally 1st port of call would be erg valve carboned up I bought a mondeo 5 yrs ago 2 yrs old run like a sack of nuts and smoked, The egr valve in a mondeo for the airflow is the size of a 2p piece after checking you couldn't get a 1/2pence piece through it cleaned it job done, only a thought if she is a plodder they need a good run frequently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike737 Posted September 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2014 It's certainly a plodder, mostly used to take their kids to school, shops etc, so always short runs. I was amazed to find out that it's supposed to have an oil change every 3,000 miles!!! Takes me back to my youth when we had to do that, along with head off for a decoke once a year, and new points and condenser every 6 months, and dribble Redex through the carb to shift build-up. Smoked like stink that!!! Thanks to all for the suggestions; work will now get in the way until next weekend, when hopefully we will resolve it! Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HAYBURN Posted September 7, 2014 Report Share Posted September 7, 2014 Have you by any chance put petrol in the tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evo Posted September 8, 2014 Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 Have you by any chance put petrol in the tank. my first thoughts as it happened to me,,secondly as suggested check fuel filter hope ya get it sorted atb Evo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike737 Posted September 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 I asked him this, but he assures me she hasn't. We'll have a good sniff at the fuel filter when when we check that though, thanks. Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted September 8, 2014 Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 I asked him this, but he assures me she hasn't. We'll have a good sniff at the fuel filter when when we check that though, thanks. Mike. check your water trap !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike737 Posted September 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 Will do, but from replies my son has now had on the Toyota forum, most people think it will be the head... It apparently lost about an inch in level in the header tank over the previous weekend Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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