Topic: My Vehicular History Thread by DKaz

[dkaz]

Thanks! I asked myself that question as well, how many transmissions were prematurely replaced/rebuilt?

But keep in mind that the screen is getting clogged by wear material. One day I'll do this whole exercise and it won't solve the problem.

BTW, I found out my Odyssey was "bleeding" a litre of ATF in 10 short km and it happens when the lines are pressurized. I found the source of the leak at the ATF inlet connection to the transmission (that sends ATF to the cooler). Not sure if I loosened the connection or damaged the line/connection when I pushed the line out of the way. A bit of a bummer but the parts if needed are inexpensive and it'll get fixed.

[rrocket]

Thanks rrocket! As fun as this was, hopefully the filter increases the intervals of having to clean out the screens.

Is that full synthetic tranny fluid?

[dkaz]

It's Honda's DW-1 which is listed as synthetic in Canada but not in the USA, for whatever reason. Therefore, I conclude it's a semi-synth.

I've been thinking of making the switch to Amsoil. They have two ATFs, a Honda Z1 equivalent and a Honda DW1 equivalent. My transmission was originally specified to use the old thicker Z1 spec and there's an ongoing debate as to which fluid provides better protection.

[rrocket]

It's Honda's DW-1 which is listed as synthetic in Canada but not in the USA, for whatever reason. Therefore, I conclude it's a semi-synth.

I've been thinking of making the switch to Amsoil. They have two ATFs, a Honda Z1 equivalent and a Honda DW1 equivalent. My transmission was originally specified to use the old thicker Z1 spec and there's an ongoing debate as to which fluid provides better protection.

I think a full synthetic would reduce temp;....which will reduce wear.

[dkaz]

I'll order some next. I had to put some old fluid back in for the fluid I lost so I'll do another drain and fill when i get my Amsoil order in. The old oil really wasn't bad, it was brownish red. I'm just going with more frequent drain and fills to replenish additives rather than wait 48,000km for the fluid to go bad to do a 3x drain and fill.

I fixed the leak btw, I must've accidentally loosened the bolt that secures the inlet pipe to the transmission. Runs great now.

[dkaz]

So as per the thread here https://www.autos.ca/forum/index.php?topic=98881, I mulled over replacing the my old 2000 Odyssey dubbed "Beige Rage" last Saturday, took a look at an 04 Toyota Sienna LE eight passenger model Sunday, and purchased it Monday for $2900. I've dubbed it "Beige Rage II".



It had 350,000 km on the clock, was immaculate inside and mechanically sound with full service records. Original owner who babied the van. This is the first van I haven't had to clean when I picked it up.



It came with a Thule roof box, good set of Cooper all season tires, a set of like new Hankook i*Pike winter tires on separate rims. I didn't think I'd need the roof box but after a camping trip this weekend, I really liked not cluttering the cargo area.



Likes:

• So comfortable
  
• Drives like a new van
  
• Outstanding fuel consumption numbers, 11 L/100km in the city, 8.2 L/100km (90 to 120 km/h). Numbers as per onboard fuel consumption meter and to be hand verified. It took 200km for the fuel tank needle to go below F.

Quibbles

• Doors don't automatically unlock when turning car off or to park. Re-enabled, previous owner must've disabled it.
  
• Handles like a truck while the Ody handled like an Accord.
  

Planned mods are more functional -- retrofitting automatic climate control at least in the rear zone which could cost less than $120 ($250 front) and either bringing in my Kinivo BTC450 Bluetooth adapter from my old Sienna plugged into a Cassette adapter, complimenting it with SiriusXM radio for road trips (I'm tired of having to use my phone for music in the car), or putting in a Carplay compatible audio system, adding a backup camera in the process. I thought about retrofitting HIDs into them with proper projectors cut in but I'm fairly happy with the stock headlights -- just need to get it dehazed and UV protected.

Kinivo BTC450 in my old Sienna:


Overall, my family and I are very happy with our new hauler and are already excited about the many trips we'll take in it.

[sailor723]

Great find  Congratulations!

[Serniter]

Congratulations! It's nice to find a vehicle that has been cared for.

[rrocket]

Looks good! Great price for the condition it seems

[Ex-airbalancer]

Wow
Great find
 

[johngenx]

Awesome find and AMAZING value - that's a crazy good score!  You could probably get $4K in a nano-second out here, probably much more.

[Scaerio]

Congrats on you new to you Siena!

[mrthompson]

 

[Firm]

That does look remarkably clean for the kms on it. Glad it's working out with no surprises. In my mind at least, these were the first "massive" minivans, when they came out they looked, and felt, huge, especially width wise. The other brands followed shortly after and now they're all huge so it's less noticeable I guess.

[Trainman]

Looking very good!  BTW, if you push it hard the handling gets much better.  Just saying!

That does look remarkably clean for the kms on it. Glad it's working out with no surprises. In my mind at least, these were the first "massive" minivans, when they came out they looked, and felt, huge, especially width wise. The other brands followed shortly after and now they're all huge so it's less noticeable I guess.

Yup, I was surprised that my wife took to our '04 so well since she just hated driving the F250.  She just shrugged when I pointed them both out in the garage as being essentially the same length and width.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

"Beige Rage" 

Congratulations man. 

[quadzilla]

Congrats. Bonus for them throwing in the roof box. 

[dkaz]

Great find   Congratulations!

Congratulations! It's nice to find a vehicle that has been cared for.

Looks good! Great price for the condition it seems

Wow 
Great find 
 

Congrats on you new to you Siena!

 

Awesome find and AMAZING value - that's a crazy good score!  You could probably get $4K in a nano-second out here, probably much more.

Thanks! Even though I paid a lot more for this than the Odyssey, everytime I get in the Sienna, it sinks in how much of a great deal I've gotten. It smells good inside too. High kms are the only risk and I'm hoping to get at least 50k trouble free from the engine and transmission but also hopeful it'll get to 500k without breaking a sweat in true Toyota fashion. 

That does look remarkably clean for the kms on it. Glad it's working out with no surprises. In my mind at least, these were the first "massive" minivans, when they came out they looked, and felt, huge, especially width wise. The other brands followed shortly after and now they're all huge so it's less noticeable I guess.

Well the Japanese manufacturers can't quite take credit for it. The Odyssey which was released in 1999 was actually longer at 5110mm (201.1") in length compared to 5080mm (200") for my Sienna, although my Sienna is wider at 1965mm (77.4") vs. 1920mm (75.6"). But the original big minivans can be traced back to the 1994 Ford Windstar (5110mm [201.1"] x 1915mm [75.4"]) and 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan (5070mm [199.6"] x 1951mm [76.8"]).

Where the massiveness may come from is the fact the Sienna massively increased the cabin volume, heavily encroaching into the engine bay. Yea, I'll figure out how to do the back spark plugs when the time comes. Like my old 99 Sienna, the engine is angled towards the back. But with a turning circle of 11.2m (36.8 ft), this Sienna is way more manoeuvrable than my old Sienna's 12.2m (40 ft) turning circle despite the 99 being smaller (4915mm [193.5"] x 1865mm [73.4"])

Looking very good!  BTW, if you push it hard the handling gets much better.  Just saying!

Yup, I was surprised that my wife took to our '04 so well since she just hated driving the F250.  She just shrugged when I pointed them both out in the garage as being essentially the same length and width.

I'll try on my own. Which F250 do you have? I find it hard to believe.

"Beige Rage"  

Congratulations man.  

Lol I'm not the type of person to give my cars people names, so I name them like ships. 

Congrats. Bonus for them throwing in the roof box.  

Thanks! I even made sure he absolutely didn't want it, but he didn't think it looked good on his new 2017 Ridgeline which has a canopy and a rack installed on the canopy.

[johngenx]

Highlander's rear plugs are deeply buried too.  I'll have the tech do them when the timing belt is done.

[EV-Light]

that van is in great shape! congrats...love seeing an older vehicle in such great shape.