Which HiAce has a timing belt?
| Sold | What drives the camshafts | |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5-litre diesel (2KD-FTV) | 2005 to 2006 | Rubber timing belt, plus a gear |
| 3.0-litre diesel (1KD-FTV) | 2006 to 2019 | Rubber timing belt, plus a gear |
| 2.7-litre petrol (2TR-FE) | 2005 to 2019 | Timing chain |
| 2.8-litre diesel (1GD-FTV) | 2019 on | Timing chain |
What does a HiAce timing belt replacement involve?
The timing belt (the rubber belt that keeps the engine's valves in step) turns the intake camshaft on these diesels, and a gear turns the exhaust camshaft from there. It's a wearing part, and if it lets go the engine damage can be serious.
The replacement point for your van is in its Warranty and Service Book, so go by that and not a number from a forum. The invoice for the last change is the proof you want. If a used van has no invoice, treat the belt as due until a mechanic has checked it.
A good written estimate says what's being replaced with the belt, such as tensioners and idlers, and what's being left alone. The timing belt job has more on that. If yours is the 3.5-litre V6 petrol offered in the newer van, ask the mechanic to confirm what its schedule lists.
How often is a HiAce due for a service?
Every six months or 10,000 km, whichever comes first. That's what CarExpert gives for the current van, and its ownership table shows the same figures across the range. A courier or trade van can pass 10,000 km well before six months is up, so the odometer usually decides it. Older vans may differ, so check the book.
How the van is used changes the warranty. CarExpert reports five years with unlimited kilometres, but five years or 160,000 km for commercial users. If a qualified independent mechanic services your HiAce to Toyota's schedule and specifications, that does not by itself void the new car warranty. Keep the book stamped and hold on to the invoices.
What should you watch on a 3.0-litre HiAce?
- A loud knock when the engine's cold, rough idle, rough running under load or worse fuel economy. Australian Car Reviews says injectors on this engine often fail around 120,000 to 140,000 km.
- White smoke and a rattle after a cold start on a 2005 to 2007 van. The original copper injector seats can fail and let combustion gases contaminate the oil. Aluminium seats came in from August 2007.
- Pistons on 2006 to 2014 vans. The same site says they're prone to cracking, most often between 100,000 km and 150,000 km, and a 2014 Toyota service bulletin acknowledged it. Revised parts came in that year.
Which HiAce recalls should you check?
In July 2012, 3.0-litre vans were recalled because EGR pipes (which send exhaust gas back through the engine) may fracture and let exhaust into the cabin. Automatic vans built from December 2009 to March 2012 were recalled for a weak gear lever part. Vans from 2018 and 2019 were recalled for a low-pressure fuel pump that can stop. Early 2.8-litre diesels had a fuel inlet pipe recall, campaign UGG45.
A fleet van can change hands without anyone finishing that paperwork, so run the VIN through vehiclerecalls.gov.au. Then tell us it's a HiAce, the year and the engine if you know it. A local mechanic who specialises in your car.
What we'd do with a HiAce
Find the engine size on the service book or rego papers, then look for the last timing belt invoice. If it's a 3.0-litre with no invoice, we'd have a mechanic who works on diesel vans check the belt before the next long run, and ask them to listen to the engine from cold for injector knock. Get the belt, injector and recall status in writing, so you know what's due now and what can wait.