Toyota Isis ram into shop

 

This is something we don't normally see in our TV during news time, as most of the Isis are for JDM hence it is rare for Isis to caught the news locally other than Japan.

Apparently, this Isis had smashed into a local shop and do some serious accident in Japan.

 The car are pretty intact and not much damages to the car.

 I not sure who's the driver and are there anyone injured ?

This accident happened back in 2012, so it a rather old stories and I just happened bump into it during my routine google search.

The front bumper does suffer some damages hitting the stainless steel rail.

For those interested to know more :-
http://shashuhantei.blog.jp/archives/7602018.html

Toyota Isis DIY DVD

 

There is always something for everyone and in Japan the people there never stop to surprise me with new innovation and products for the masses. I know that many car owner like to DIY around their car and I am one of them but many times we face problems of what is the proper steps to DIY. We worried that we might break something if we didn't do it the right way. Hence someone in Japan will show it for you via DVD.
Since it was done in Japanese for Japanese don't expect you could understand much before you learn how to listen Japanese. Anyway, it is much better than looking or reading via books and catalogue which most probably in Japanese too.

Cost ? Around JPY3,000, not that expensive since the Yen had drop so much in the recent months.

The video above is for a short sneak peek on what and how they present the DIY.

Links to original page in rakuten Japan :-
http://item.rakuten.co.jp/auc-mkjp/dvd-toyota-isis-zgm15w-01/

Fog lamp Kit on sale at Mudah

I spotted this fog lamp kit on sale in Mudah.my and I think it is a great deal as it only cost you around RM220.00 for an original Toyota Accessories. If you have read my previous post here :-
http://toyotaisis.blogspot.com/search/label/Fog%20Lamp%20Kit
You can see that I had install it myself after I bought it around 3 years ago. Anyway this kit only fit the old model of Isis which is non Platana type too.

If you interested to get one for the old Isis, why don't buy one and have a weekend DIY project to dress up your ISIS.

Links to original Mudah.my page :-
http://www.mudah.my/Toyota+isis+fog+lamp-29189017.htm

Denso Carbon Filter

Up until now, my Isis had run around 70k and never had its air condition serviced, hence I decided to send it for a checkup and maintenance services. In the same time, the air cone filter were changed to a premium Denso filter as shown on the picture.

The filter element are green in colour and it doesn't have any smell to it. I am expecting some green tea smell but it just odourless.

Anyway, remember to service your air-cond every 2 year (maximum) regardless of mileage or 40k whichever earlier. Cost of repairing any parts on your air condition system are expensive based on experience.

Parts number for Denso filter : DCC1004 which will fit to Toyota Wish too.

Toyota Isis 3D model

3D seems to be the latest craze in the technology world, 3D TV, 3D printing, 3D model etc. I bump into this nice 3D model by turbosquid and himster3d and I think it worth looking at their modelling of Toyota Isis. The details are great and I wonder what we can do with this model once we purchase the image of it. Yes, you need to pay for the model and it doesn't cost you and arm of leg but it need money.
Anyway, can I buy this 3D model and send to a 3D printer to print out a plastic model of a Toyota Isis ?
It would be great if it possible, do you fancy a 3D Toyota Isis keychain ? or Toyota Isis paper weight or a Toyota Isis toy for your dashboard ?

Links to turbosquid :-
http://www.turbosquid.com/3d-models/toyota-isis/693378

Links to humster3d :-
http://humster3d.com/2014/07/10/toyota-isis-2012/

Radiator changed in the nick of time

It is a great Raya holiday and I take this time to touch up the car, washing and cleaning the engine bay during this holiday, while wiping the engine bay and filling up water to the reservoir I found something funny on the radiator. Something look not right as it was colour red on certain spot of the radiator and after have a further view using a torch light I think I spotted a problem of leaking radiator.

The photo above show the location of the leak as colour red same as the coolant colour of Toyota. It is so bad that it somehow crystallised on the radiator. Then I started to get worry of using the car for long distance driving. I need to quickly replace it in order not to get stranded on the highway.

I send the car to the mechanics for a check and they informed me that the radiator need to be replaced and after a quick check with the his supplier, there are no stock and an order from Japan will need at least 1 month to reach. The cost is a mind blogging 2k. That is unacceptable to me and I think there should be a better way. I quickly contact Zul from SPT Autopart which specialised on cooling parts, via whatsapp he managed to confirm and get me an original Denso radiator half the price. I previously bought another radiator from him before, the response time are top notch and very efficient.

For those wanted to get the radiator can jot down this number 422173-2630 (Denso). This would be the part number for the radiator and it is a direct replacement on Toyota Isis.

Else you need to google the parts number by Toyota.

Houston Hayden Has Landed

The above picture show the location of the newly installed Hayden 676 on my Isis. I had decided to installed this after the car feel so sluggish climbing Genting Sempah during my trip to the east coast. Anyway, the ATF temperature shoot to above 110 and I feel there should be something I can do about it.

This is the tapping point for the Hayden ATF Cooler, notice the new piping at the bottom of the it with covered plastic cover.

Another view of the tapping point.

The cooling coil are install on the front of the air cond condenser for best heat transfer. The other benefits are the cooling coil can be cool during the air-cond fan operational during idling.

A top view of the hayden

How much it cost for the parts and installation ? Approx 1k
Where I did it ? Vision Auto/ Toms Racing (Sunway branch)
Effect after installing it ? A drop in ATF temperature. After a day of testing, the ATF temperature drop approximate 10% and this lead to better response and smoother gear change.
Worth the money spent ? It depends, let me test it on another Genting Sempah or Genting Highland run then I will tell you about it.

Remember there are some fake Hayden in the market and just a bit cautious when buying one. Anyway, just remember to regulary change your ATF fluid to protect your gearbox and installed an after market ATF meter to monitor it.

Links to Vision Auto / Toms Racing Malaysia :-
http://www.tomsracing.com.my/

Links to Hayden Transmission Cooler page :-
http://www.haydenauto.com/Featured%20Products-Transmission%20and%20Engine%20Oil%20Coolers/Content.aspx

A broken drive shaft boot

 

Its about 5 years since I drive and Isis and I have confidence in Toyota made car as it doesn't give much problem during this ownership but if its a car, it will need to service and some parts will require repair. During my last visit to the tire shop for changes of tires, I spotted some oil and grease on the left lower arm of the front suspension. Since the amount is not great, I think that it is serious and drive the car for another 5k.

However during my routine 10k service, the mechanic had advice me to have a look at the drive shaft boots of the car, the grease are leaking badly and needed a replacement of the drive shaft boots at it is loose and getting crack. So I asked for a quotation for the replacement parts. What the quotation given by the shops almost make me fall of my chair. I only need the drive shaft boots to be replaced but the shop said that they only sell the drive shaft as a whole which cost me 2k for the entire drive shaft. In my mind, why dont I just drive the car until the drive shaft broken then only I replace it ? With that I bid farewell to the shop and went to my trusty sparepart shop for advice. The shopkeeper told me that there are OEM boots for sale and it doesn't cost me 2k for it and I paid around 100+ for 4 drive shaft boots plus 2 gearbox oil seal.

 

The next day, I sent back the car to the mechanics for it to be fix and it cost me another 200+ for the entire job done. If you are having problem with drive shaft, then just buy the OEM boots and original oil seal for the job. A rubber boot still a rubber boots!

Parts number for drive shaft boots (left n right):-
FB-2117M (Brand : OHNO) - outter
FB-2120M (Brand : OHNO) - inner

Parts number for oil seal :-
90311-35054
90311-35045

Wald Supercharger for Isis ? Maybe

 I always fancy to put more power to my Isis 1.8. Since it is clearly underpower for an 1.8l engine to pull the heavy body of Isis, I need more power to propel it up Malaysia famous touge location, Genting Highland.
I speak of it with my experience going up Genting Highland with my Isis in full load and I really struggle to drive it up. I never drive something so slow up that mountain before. The engine temperate are going up and the ATF temperature hover around 110 during the entire trip.

For more power, supercharger or turbo kit is the simplest way, and I had discuss before of a supercharger kit by blitz for the 2.0l version of Isis and now I found this kit in the local website for Toyota Wish 1.8 or Altiz 1.8. Isis 1.8 share the same platform and engine as both so I think it will fit Isis too. Maybe the bonnet might not close properly but this is something good and juicy for Isis.

Now price, what this company wanted to sell it for ? 10k plus apparently and this really a big stop sign. I think it is a bit too expensive and my personal feeling is that I might consider this kit if it is selling around 7-8k.

Anyway, there are someone out there with deep pocket that can afford this, so fellow Isis owner faster grab this kit before it is gone as it is rare to found a new kit for sale in Malaysia.

Good luck and cheers


Links to TWY Trading :-
http://twygaragemeister.blogspot.com/2013/11/wald-international-supercharger-kit.html

Tom's accessories for Isis

Its been a long time since I put something in this blog. Since I seldom drive the car, there aren't much that I able to share with fellow Isis owner. However, things had changed. My primary car are in the workshop for something major hence  I need to use this car as my daily commute. This brings me to the time of servicing my Isis.
In my recent visit to Vision Auto at Bangsar for my 40k routine service maintenance, I had saw this product catalogue for Isis by Tom's. There are one thing that interest me is the front grill design by Tom's. It is quite nice for silver Isis.
So for those looking for some minor upgrade, visit their webpage for more information.

Places that you never know what it for !

Many of you that visit my blog surely is a owner outside of Japan that happened to own one of Japan well design car named Isis. I bought this car sometime ago and never feel regret owning it except when the time I run this car up Genting Highland. The 1.8l is really underpower going uphill. I wish that I bought the 2.0l back then.
Anway, back to today topics, have you ever think / question the design of some parts of this car ? I had examine this car from top to bottom and 3 of  the following item is a really puzzle to me during the initial stage of ownership of this car.

1st :-

 The cup holder design between the front row is a big question mark to me, I know it is a cup holder but I seem can't understand the design of a big circle and a small rectangle space at the bottom right hand side of the plastic are meant for what. Based on the picture above, you can see that design is to put cap of the water bottle. What a funny thinking this Japanese have in their mind during the design stage of this car. How many owner will appreciate this little extra ? I don't keep any of my bottle open while I am driving as I guarantee that the water will spill out at corner.

Next is an opening at the front passenger side at the floor between the door and seat. There is a rectangle opening which the designer think that the driver or passenger can put an collapsible umbrella at that location. I had tried to put one at it and found it useful until certain way as the umbrella that can fit that space aren't that useable for my family. Hence a full size umbrella are always located at the foot of passenger in my Isis.

The last bits are the red flare location below the glove compartment. My car is an gray import hence the seller had taken out the flare. Based on the manual and internet search, that location marked red in the picture above are the holding place for a flare which in time of emergency can be used.
How many times does we see people using flare for emergency involving car ? Boat or plane maybe but in car ? Seriously ?
I think a simple red umbrella will serve the same purpose too!

So this is a wrap for this pre Chinese New Year post. A Happy New Year to fellow Isis owner and share with me your stories and comments via email or comments column below.
Cheers