200 Series diesel has cacked its dacks

[KeithB]

I think the composting loo needs to be at 14 degrees or more to start working. In spite of a warmish bathroom, it is still sitting on a very cold floor. The Polycore is very good and the rest of the walls in the van are comfortable. But I think the floor under the compost container is very cold.

These loos take a while to compost toilet paper. So, as a big toilet paper user, I put in 500 compost worms two days before we left home, without realising that these worms pee 60%  of their body weight every single day. It went great for a few days and the compost level dropped by a good two inches with no loo paper in sight. Then it all turned into a watery mush which had to be carried down and emptied at the dump point. But the fan kept the smell out of the van.

So we started again with fresh peat just before our heater failed and a similar thing happened because the loo was extremely cold. So we emptied it again and did a really deep clean.

A new peat brick plus two 150 watt work lights in the bathroom with the aircon running 24-7 seems to be helping. We are keeping the flap open because water was condensing inside the compost container, agitating more regularly and adding more dry peat if the bed looks a bit too damp. We are also using the amenities block a bit more often.

When we get home I plan to rig up a little 12 volt heating pad under the compost container to keep the lower surface at about 50 degrees. They are cheap and draw only a couple of amps or so, to be used only in cold weather.

Keith

[tryagain]

I think the composting loo needs to be at 14 degrees or more to start working. In spite of a warmish bathroom, it is still sitting on a very cold floor. The Polycore is very good and the rest of the walls in the van are comfortable. But I think the floor under the compost container is very cold.

These loos take a while to compost toilet paper. So, as a big toilet paper user, I put in 500 compost worms two days before we left home, without realising that these worms pee 60%  of their body weight every single day. It went great for a few days and the compost level dropped by a good two inches with no loo paper in sight. Then it all turned into a watery mush which had to be carried down and emptied at the dump point. But the fan kept the smell out of the van.

So we started again with fresh peat just before our heater failed and a similar thing happened because the loo was extremely cold. So we emptied it again and did a really deep clean.

A new peat brick plus two 150 watt work lights in the bathroom with the aircon running 24-7 seems to be helping. We are keeping the flap open because water was condensing inside the compost container, agitating more regularly and adding more dry peat if the bed looks a bit too damp. We are also using the amenities block a bit more often.

When we get home I plan to rig up a little 12 volt heating pad under the compost container to keep the lower surface at about 50 degrees. They are cheap and draw only a couple of amps or so, to be used only in cold weather.

Keith

Some how the topic of conversation has moved from automotive to poo, given the title it maybe isn't that out of place though!

I have read the "humanure handbook" which is pretty much the text book on composting toilets. He is at a pains to say the Natureshead/Airhead type toilets aren't actually composting toilets*, but dry toilets, that is to say that their volume is to small and the contents are in there to short of a time to actually make compost. The take away is that the way they really work is just by drying out the solids, if they smell it's likely that it is too wet. More dry material (ie peat moss) is generally the solution. If you haven't read it, it's a reasonably intresting read.

Another point is it seems a lot of people put the loo paper in a seperate bin, "Europe style" to avoid it bulking up too much in the solids bin.

*

There's a big difference between "compost toilets," "composting toilets," and "dry toilets." A dry toilet is any toilet that doesn't depend on water to function, like a flush toilet does. A "composting toilet" is a misnomer. Toilets don't compost, people do. A "compost toilet" collects organic material for composting elsewhere.

[KeithB]

I agree with you. The stuff from an Airhead has to be kept for several months before it can be regarded as compost. I also understand that it has to be heated to more than 65 degrees to kill all pathogens.
Keith

[Bird]

Some how the topic of conversation has moved from automotive to poo, given the title it maybe isn't that out of place though!

how could that happen around here : D

[KeithB]

Shit happens.
Keith

[Bigfish]

Like all 4wds, only a certain few had problems. I know 2 people who owned 3ltr Patrols....did all the mods to stop it grenading, but both failed. But there is probably plenty still around with high milage with no problems at all ?

A lot of 200 series have died, and dusting is one of the culprits....but a lot of failures are getting blamed on dusting when the engines haven't been pulled down to know for sure. Most dusted engines will still run ok, a bit down on power because of lower compression and/or worn vanes in the turbo......and Keiths 200 doesn't sound like a dusted engine....time will tell ?

I,ll bet it is Gronk.  Keith has already replied stating that there was dust everywhere in the box and down the ducting.  Regardless....I,d still invest in the quality aftermarket airbox.  After all we fit bullbars, temp gauges, tyre pressure monitors, catch cans etc.etc....in an effort to protect our vehicles. Too many examples of the air box failing.

[GBC]

Might be worth a squizz for the OP. As usual, nothing is ever cut and dried.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIEW4Xj-1R0

[shanegtr]

My sister in law had turbo failure on her 200 a few years back. Hers was only 4 yrs old when it happened as well. Im not sure what the end cause of that failure was, but the result was replacement of both turbos.

[Bird]

If this is as well known issue as it sounds, shouldn't yota be coming to the party - full or part?
have they been? like a recall and fix ...

[Beachman]

Question for the mechanically mined of the group. I see that Keith's cruiser is a 2008 model, so I assume the motors have changed a little over the past 12 years?

1.   Does a new motor drop straight in or does it need work to make it fit?
2.   I also assume the new motors have more anti-pollution gear on them, so is Keith able to remove this as he only needs to obey the pollution rules from 2008?
3.   Do new motors need to be run in, if so how will it affect towing his van home on its maiden run?

I do feel sorry for Keith as I think it's everyone's fear of a newish motor (No matter what brand) going bang for whatever reason as you stuck in a position of spending a lot of money to fix it or dropping a lot of money selling a broken car. Neither option is good for your back pocket.

Really hope your luck improves

[GGV8Cruza]

Question for the mechanically mined of the group. I see that Keith's cruiser is a 2008 model, so I assume the motors have changed a little over the past 12 years?

1.   Does a new motor drop straight in or does it need work to make it fit?
2.   I also assume the new motors have more anti-pollution gear on them, so is Keith able to remove this as he only needs to obey the pollution rules from 2008?
3.   Do new motors need to be run in, if so how will it affect towing his van home on its maiden run?

I do feel sorry for Keith as I think it's everyone's fear of a newish motor (No matter what brand) going bang for whatever reason as you stuck in a position of spending a lot of money to fix it or dropping a lot of money selling a broken car. Neither option is good for your back pocket.

Really hope your luck improves

Motor has not changed at all so it drops straight in

Gear that is attached to it has changed during the years, such as DPF and the sort, his computer will drive the engine as his original one did without a problem

New crate motors come run in, I would still take it a bit easy and run it in as well

GG

[GGV8Cruza]

If this is as well known issue as it sounds, shouldn't yota be coming to the party - full or part?
have they been? like a recall and fix ...

It is and the masses have thought about taking it to Toyota, nothing has happend that I am aware of. No recall for the airbox has been done. I believe they have changed the design of the air filter at one stage to make it a bit thicker on the sides and changed the seals.

If you trawl the web you will find many thoughts on this problem with some putting some science to it and others just banging stuff together. I have run mine stock and changed the air filter every service which is above what the service schedule tells us. I am going to change mine every 5k now and also look at mods which can help the sealing capability of the original box. Once out of warranty I may look at an aftermarket air box. I check the clean side of my box regulary and have only had a small amount of dust come through at this time. A pre filter sock on the snorkel is something I am going to run from now on when out in the dust.

GG

[noel_w]

Yeah I know I have a 3.0L Patrol...
But....
I work at an educational institute that teaches apprentices in the mechanical field. We had an apprentice in recently that was overheard saying they replace about 5 or 6 yota V8's a week at their Nth Qld stealership. Take that as you will (with a acre of salt plains) but if it is true it ain't good news for yota. He was also heard saying that the new motors come with a non disclosure statement.
I hope it is sorted for you soon Keith. You need a bit of luck soon. All the best mate.

[Beachman]

About 2 years ago I heard from a guy who I would call reliable said the Toyota were replacing motors on the 200 series without owners knowing during a service. They just phoned the owners saying parts hadn't arrived and they need the car overnight and used the time to replace the motor.

[Bird]

About 2 years ago I heard from a guy who I would call reliable said the Toyota were replacing motors on the 200 series without owners knowing during a service. .

Sounds like manure.. how do you go with new engine #'s?

[gronk]

I,ll bet it is Gronk.  Keith has already replied stating that there was dust everywhere in the box and down the ducting.

He also stated he doesn't do extensive outback travel. Toyota say whatever dust gets past the aircleaner is small enough to not bother the motor. So I would assume ( apart from Toyota being full of it ), that it takes a fairly long time to "dust" the engine, not just a few thousand K's on dirt.
If the vanes on the LH turbo are not badly pitted or worn, there's a fairly good chance the only damage to the engine is wear in the bores of the LH bank....not ideal, but without further wear, the engine would still run normal...with a bit less power of course.

With an aftermarket airbox at approx $1000+, I'll stick with the Donaldson filter I run in mine...no sign of dust so far for the last 2 yrs.

[Jeepers Creepers]

Sounds like manure.. how do you go with new engine #'s?

yep

[gronk]

About 2 years ago I heard from a guy who I would call reliable said the Toyota were replacing motors on the 200 series without owners knowing during a service. They just phoned the owners saying parts hadn't arrived and they need the car overnight and used the time to replace the motor.

Those mechanics are all working for supercars teams......engine change time is supposed to be 20hrs.....that would be a week at a normal Toyo dealership ??   

[Fizzie]

About 2 years ago I heard from a guy who I would call reliable said the Toyota were replacing motors on the 200 series without owners knowing during a service. They just phoned the owners saying parts hadn't arrived and they need the car overnight and used the time to replace the motor.

& miss out on ~$30k!

I would think not!

[Bird]

I just think Keith is lucky to have 30,000 'emergency' fund to pay for the repairs. Im betting like the grenade patrol's there would be a lot of people having to sell them broken for what ever they can get.

[paul.o]

Or took a loan out.....

[shanegtr]

About a year ago I had a look at an engine oil sample for a Prado from a forum member. The level of dirt/dust indications in the oil with only 5000km on it (the oil not the car) was way to high in my opinion. It would be interesting to see what the oils are like in the 200's (if anyone has any oil sample results I'd be interested in having a look)

[tryagain]

Or took a loan out.....

Or 30k of the retirement nest egg gone.

[rossm]

Or 30k of the retirement nest egg gone.

That's what it would be for me 

[KeithB]

About a year ago I had a look at an engine oil sample for a Prado from a forum member. The level of dirt/dust indications in the oil with only 5000km on it (the oil not the car) was way to high in my opinion. It would be interesting to see what the oils are like in the 200's (if anyone has any oil sample results I'd be interested in having a look)

The oil is changed every 5000 km, because I do a lot of city work and was only 1,000 km old when she blew. I doubt there would be anything to learn from it.

And you guys have nailed it: the super has had a bit of a hiding. On the plus side, we were up for new injectors in the next 50,000km as well as a steering rack. That would have been about $11K all up.

Keith