1992 Toyota Hiace from Netherlands - Comments

Bought the car with a blown starter engine and starter relays. After replacing these, the car has been running smooth.

Only problem is the colling water. The orange indicator light flips on when the reservoir is empty, but filling the reservoir only helps for about 2.000 km. After that the reservoir is empty again. However, the engine never overheats and does not seem to loose any water... strange problem not solved yet.

Driver seat is starting to wear.

On long drives the seats are real back-breakers. Especially for longer people.

Susceptible to rust.

Locks on the doors don't work properly with the key, slide-door cannot be opened with the key anymore. Perhaps the locks are dirty or the key is too worn...

Extremely reliable vehicle. Old car that has been heavy-used for nearly 200.000 km still runs smooth. Uses no oil, but a little water. Runs cheaply on LPG and uses about 1 liter for 7 km. Drives like a car.

I Would suggest you exmaine the area around the water pump. If all your rubber hoses are okay, then It has to be a weeping water pump. An easy fix on these Toyotas.

I to have a simular problem, I have a 1990 toyota hiace and it has never missed a beat, it has done 260000 km. the only problem is tha the little resovur for the coolant will not hold coolant, it isn't a problem with the radiator or the water pump as the radiotor holds water for ages, but the little resouvour of the side does not. also the little sensor does not work anymore any ideas how to fix it?

This is a common problem on these vans... The head needs repaceing as mine was loosing water, but not over heating, but once a new head was put on it solved all the problems.

BE AWARE a new head is not cheap.

I have a 1976 Toyota hi-ace Newlander campervan - 67,000m on the clock, but still going strong. Hoping to take it to Spain this summer. Can be slightly temperamental starting when the engine is hot, but apart from this OK.

Two questions for Hi-ace fans:

1. Where can I get spare parts - are there plenty around for RH 11 engines?

2. Is is worth trying to protect the underneath of the van from rust with waxoil or something similar?

Cheers.