Freeze plugs rusted and coolant got into the oil-had to replace the motor.
Starter brass wore out.
High resistance on automatic transmission-dealer recommends replace transmission.
Plugged cooling system-dealer recommends to replace radiator.
Air conditioning system seals started leaking.
Despite all the problems this van is still in great shape-structural and body wise.
Rusted freeze plugs does not cause antifreeze to enter into the crancase oil.
I agree, the freeze plugs are there just in case the coolant freezes, then they pop out and the engine block is spared from splitting open, by letting the coolant escape.
Sounds like they got some "special service" at the Toyota Stealership, billed for a whole new engine from a coolant leak. (But, if the engine did overheat too badly when the coolant leaked out, it could damage it severely, so maybe it really did need a new engine, just not from coolant in the oil exactly)
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