Toyota Avalon Problems

Even though the Toyota Avalon wasn’t particularly big seller, there were still plenty of them made, so second-hand parts shouldn’t be a problem. The best bet is probably to take the broken handle to a parts recycler (we used to call them wrecking yards) and find an Avalon that is being broken up and recycled. That way, you’ll have a pretty good chance of finding a replacement handle that actually fits as well as one in the correct colour to match the rest of your car’s interior.

There are specialist Toyota wreckers (sorry, recyclers) in Perth and surrounds, but even generic wrecking yards are likely to have the odd Avalon lying around ready to donate its door handle. Toyota was also very good at sharing parts between models. So while you’re scratching around the wrecking yard, check to see if the inside door handle from, say, a Toyota Camry or Aurion or similar is interchangeable with your broken one.

As well as the spark plugs, you could change then plug leads, check the coils, and clean the throttle body.

We've recently reviewed the mid-sized frontrunners, which is where they should be looking, and the Toyota Camry wins on quality, driving and value. But if they need more space, then point them to the Skoda Superb, which lives up to its name and gets The Tick.

Your experience of increased performance and increased fuel consumption on E10 is in line with what we've been told would happen, but the failure of a rubber component in the fuel tank is cause for concern. So too is the starting difficulty you had. Both of your cars are claimed to be E10 compatible, but like you I'm not convinced that E10 won't cause some issues on some cars.

IT IS unusual a service manager would advise against changing the belt for starters. He's right that there is enough clearance so there is unlikely to be any internal damage, but if it does break you will be left stranded. Car companies are generally conservative when it comes to service on items like the cam timing belt, but I'd err on the side of caution and have it replaced.

THE older system is more prone to backfiring than the injection system because it works by flooding the inlet manifold with LPG and this can be ignited by a stray spark. ApolloGas developed the LPG system used by Toyota on the Avalon. Give them a call and ask their advice.

TOYOTA promoted the Avalon to the taxi industry and most cabbies were happy with them. The LPG system most use is one developed for Toyota by Apollo Gas and works well.