1995 Toyota Previa Engine cooling Problems

“The contact owns a 1995 Toyota Previa. The contact smelled something burning after she parked the vehicle. She attempted to shut off the vehicle but was unsuccessful. Smoke began to rise from underneath the hood. When the smoke cleared, the vehicle's engine failed to restart. The engine size was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 140,000.”

“My supercharged 1995 Toyota Previa minivan loses power when turning corners and climbing hills. It has not yet come to a full stop but slows down almost to a stop. Our independent mechanic was unable to diagnose the problem when it first occurred in 1998 at 53,000 miles but suggested that we try using premium gas. That appeared to solve the problem but unbeknownst to us it was just masking it. The Toyota dealers service rep who finally diagnosed the problem at 88,000 miles in november 2000, said that the problem is an engine defect (his word). …”

“Car loses power when turning corners and climbing hills. Problem currently doesn't occur when using premium gas, as suggested by our independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the problem when it first occurred in 1998. Dealer service rep, who diagnosed the problem in november 2000, says that the material which Toyota used for the engine block in the supercharged previas was too soft so the engine developed secondary and tertiary ridge rings which, as I understand it, cause the anti-knock sensor to cut power to the engine under certain circumstances. …”

“Engine check light remains illuminated, indicating a malfunction within the system, cause unknown. Also the vehicle is consuming large quantities of oil. Please give any further details.”

“While driving engine dies/no power and no acceleration, towed to dealer. Dealer put in a new engine at 31,000 miles. Two years later, the same problem occurred.”