2004-2010 Toyota Sienna Buying Guide Part 1 : Engine and Transmission

I have an 07 torago utilma v6 3.5 (3rd gen toyota previa) only issue been waterpump 225000km 7 leather seats captain chairs electric doors electric rear seats 2 sunroofs has the same running gear as the 3.5 sienna been a very reliable van

I have an 06 Sienna I bought with 110,000 miles on it. Now has 240,000 and still going strong. Would be another in a heartbeat. Great van!

Great and very informative, even for the owners. My wife calls ours a “Tank”. Because the beast is unstoppable in the winter on proper winter tires. As a ten year owner myself of 2008 AWD I can tell you the following: the 3.5 is pretty awesome and super powerful-ours tows 14” enclosed trailer with ease. Pop up behind it doesn’t even gets noticed. I changed a water pump myself one afternoon at 145,000km and it’s not hard at all. I changed all spark plugs preventatively with recommended platinum tipped and won’t have to worry about them for the rest of its life. I changed to an updated trans oil cooler lines that are all metal because our van tows a lot. I replaced the rubber elbow on the upper oil line to an updated part but sadly I didn’t go for an all solid metal tube at a time. Our van doesn’t leak a drop of oil from anywhere, period. Not even from trans or the tiniest transfer box ever, that it has for the rear prop shaft. I fixed/rebuild a squeaking alternator and let me tell you, those suckers are NOT easy to remove from engine-you will be draining the coolant and dropping the radiator slightly. It’s that bad.
And that’s about it really. One other thing is a steering rack-not sure if mine was replaced before but the current one has been leaking from pass side outer seal into the rubber boot. I treated the oil with rubber rejuvenation fluid and it’s been unchanged for the last 7 years now. I am of the same opinion that’s if it’s too much work and the part is expensive, let it work for now and let it develop.
Oh yes and last but not least, are those stupid tensioner rollers. They absolutely WILL drive you insane with noise and even OEM Toyota part will star squeaking eventually but usually only when it’s cold out. You can only change two of them because the actual tensioner roller is slightly different and isn’t sold separately like the other position #2 rollers.

Looking at a 2004 ls Sienna...$4500. With 250,000 miles. I m doing my homework ahead

Have a 09 with 150 K. Minimal issues going strong!

Question : I have 2004 Siena AWD 55k miles. Very low miles. All I do is change the oil every 5000-7000 miles. Runs looks like new lived in the garage her whole life. I’m thinking of giving it to my son who’s starting a family …. Should I do anything to it, preventively?

Why not discuss 2003 Sienna?Mine has 177,000 miles on it!I have put alot of money in it but overall it is a reliable vehicle!The catylitic converter had a code on recent diagnostics!Should i replace it?It is a bolt on one piece unit!

Lil oil leak is prevalent i bought a 05 to flip and yes i see a lil oil leak and its nothin

I have 2004 with 3 3 engine had vale covers gasket s. Replace had readator replace in 2014 has 337000 miles still dependable runs and drives good best driving and riding vehicle that i own i love it

What's the part number for the 2007 toyota sienna vvti oil line?

Thank you for this valuable information ! Preventive maintence can go a long way I have a 06 Sienna now with just over 300k which I am happy with

A conversation about engines and timing belts in 15+ year old cars ia kind of useless unless you mention weather it's a interference or non interference. I have big problem throwing good money after bad money, a mechanic generally does not appreciate this. But i respect mechanics and garages need to make living.

People said 2006-2008 siennas have transmission issues🤔

👍👍😊

Hello sir, I just bought a 08 sienna le fwd. I have looked for the oil line in the front of the motor and it is not there. Did they use another set up where that oil line is not there?

Was looking for other info but decided to slow down and watch the video. Glad I did!
Had found some leakage at the transaxle split line. Just tightened the bolts and keep my fingers crossed.
Unfortunately found some leakage on the power steering pump, and as you say, it's really the timing cover. Engine out to fix...Oh well, that's life.
Anyway, thanks for the vid!

Hi! Great vid! Do you plan on doing a video on the 98-03 Sienna? Is there the same transmission cooling line into the radiator concern on these years?

I'm buying a 1998 one with 215k miles from a family member who took care of it. Everything runs fine but I'd like it to continue like that! 😄

2004 with 205,000 miles. Uses zero oil. None! Looks like honey after 5,000 miles. Hated the idea of getting a mini-van when the kids were small. I'm driving this until the wheels fall off! Still looks great and is nice on the road. Best vehicle I have ever had. Replaced a flex pipe and struts. That's it.

Hello Sir! I made a list of the things to do all at once. Did I get them right? @TheCarCareNut


If doing Timing Belt do:
drive belt
water pump
cam/crank seal
(replace coolant cover plate?)


If doing Valve Cover Gasket do:
spark plugs (coils?)
coolant plate
PCV valve
knock sensors

Want to have many good years in my 2005 Sienna!

I wonder, how does AWD variant work? Is it always AWD, or does it shift it somehow? I hope it would handle a bit of beach sand, or light overland ride.

Suck a super helpful, clear and through information download. This vid was crucial for choosing make/model/year for us and having a list of what to look for and bargain with for buying our used minivan.

Thanks!

Really sad to hear that Toyota has dropped to such costly cheap engines-sad! Others also! Think I'll by a good 1961 or 62 Ford Falcon for my next car and by standby parts I can replace at 84!

Hello Sir! I made a list of the things to do all at once. Did I get them right?

If doing Timing Belt do:
drive belt
water pump
cam/crank seal
(replace coolant cover plate?)


If doing Valve Cover Gasket do:
spark plugs (coils?)
coolant plate
PCV valve
knock sensors

Want to have many good years in my 2005 Sienna!

😂 a month too late. at 210k on 2004 just did DIY valve covers, plugs, and coil packs (rear only). Had Toyota dealer do timing belt water pump $2400 (1/2 the value of vehicle, last time 10 years ago it was $1200. They said cam and crank seals fine but harmonic balancer needs changing, part is $650 so i did it DIY with a $170 dorman aftermarket.
No rad leaks. Never knew about the knock sensors or intake plate leak issue.

2006 with 248,000 miles and sits outside in all weather. Haven't had any of these issues. Great vehicle that fits full sheets of plywood and 12' 2x4s diagonally with hatch closed. Remarkable vehicle and ignored by cops so you can speed on the freeway and they'll pull over the guy next to you in the flashy vehicle every time.

I'm avoiding ALL THESE PROBLEMS! I still drive my perfect 2002 Sienna XLE. Simplicity and engineering perfection! Cheap repairs and simple electronics. Not a problem in its 170,400 miles. Only two items on the whole car not working: one dashboard light on the left side and the power driver's side mirror. That's it! Paint is perfect. Leather is great. Power doors work like new. The timing belt changed at 85k miles. This model was from 1998 to 2003.

Oh man, I’m about to buy a sienna so this video is a blessing. I wish it was a PDF list I can take to a test drive. 😂

Thank you so much!!!

I wish everyone made videos like yours! So much good information, and you are very knowledgeable. Much appreciated. And, the oil lines, yeah, replace both of those, and the ticking on start up, yeah, replaced the engine ... after the variable valve actuator threw a few bolts into the motor 6k for a used one, but running good at 250k 10 years later (2008 highlander)

Can you please tell us which part no. Is for coolant cover plate or is it the Manifold seal and if it's other than the Manifold seal should we change the Manifold seals as well while we at it?

Excellent commentary, thank you.

I have a 2005 XLE 2WD with about 160k miles and I love it.

I stay up to date on all the maintenance and I have never had any trouble. It's a pleasure to drive it long distances.

Thank you, keep up the good work. 👍

Transfer case MINOR leak (weepage) on my '05 Highlander would cost $3K to fix...NO THANKS! I'll just keep an eye on the fluid level instead!

dude, ur convincing me not to buy these.

2017 does it have a timing belt or chain?

thanks so much for the vids , i really appreciate you ! btw ive had 8 toyota vans from 84-2010...

What about the 2002 XLE year?

For all the talk about Toyota engines being so great, he's making it sound like these engines are awful, it sounds like everything goes wrong!

Hi Amd, I need your advice on my 2013 Sienna XLE. I bought the Sienna brand new. Took good care of it following factory scheduled maintenance and tire rotation. However, the two front tires wear unevenly on outer edge. Took it to two dealerships for alignment even an independent tire place. Alignment was up to specifications. I was told there is no camber adjustment for Sienna’s front tires. Only toe adjustments. The van has 92K miles and it has gone through 4 sets of tires already. So a set of tires will last approximately 20K miles. My local Toyota dealer told me Sienna is a heavy vehicle that’s the reason for the excessive front tire wear. I think that’s BS. For now I over inflate tires to 41 PSI and it helps a little bit. I was told I can install aftermarket camber kit to make it adjustable. What do you think?

Thank you for the video. I am planning on buying one tomorrow from a local 3rd party dealer-2006 Sienna LE. It has some 200,00 miles.

I asked the dealer if the water pump was already replaced. Am told yes. But I am skeptical on it-no record on carfax. But hopefully the service records will show if I add it on Toyota Owners (if the services were done by Toyota dealers).

I am planning in replacing everything mentioned (if not reflected on service and history reports) plus oil change, transmission/brake fluid flush and refill, except for the transmission components. Those would probably be around $2,000 of major service. 😅

I think my 2005 toyota sienna (wheelchair) van is finally ready to tap out 280,002 miles later. I think the transmission is done. I'm looking at a 2007 sienna with 30k miles

Does anyone knows which relay power up the driver's side fuse box? i lost power to the ac, obd, radio and power doors, and seats. all the fuses for those unit are good, but can not get then to work. it is a 2008 sienna it starts up and the brake light on the dashboard remain on! any help will be greatly appreciated. thanks

Thank you so much for this video and the information you share! You saved me almost $8000. The 2009 Toyota Sienna I bought had a bad transmission. The day after I bought it, I noticed it made a scratching/scraping noise while idling down from less than 40 mph with no foot on the brake or gas. I searched Google to figure out what was wrong and came across your video. It got my Spidey senses up when you talked about the transmission noise. I called the dealer (Prime Auto, Wichita, KS - Sanjay) and he said it was probably a noise from a minor rub in the brakes and to bring it back and they would fix it. It seemed feasible until I had two reputable local mechanics drive it and they said it was a bad transmission. They said there was no way to know how long it would last before it needed a new one, but the sound was the gears grinding each other. I called the dealer and took the van back and had to politely argue with the dealer that the transmission was bad. He said I took the van to "back alley small town mechanics" who wanted to make money off of me. He also said I was paranoid repeatedly. I told him the other mechanics knew they weren't fixing but only diagnosing the car and that I had researched the issue and found the same information. After much back and forth and gaslighting, I kept pushing about returning the van. He said he could give me $4000 for the van I paid $8000 for a few days prior, since it was now a "trade-in." I was getting very frustrated and told him it either needed a new transmission now or he could take it back and give us our trade-in back. He finally said I could take it to Toyota in Wichita and have them diagnose it and go by what they said. The service advisor at Toyota started describing what the van did and I thought it was from my message. He said it came up when he put in the VIN (this info didn't come up on an AutoCheck :( ) and that the former owner had been advised it needed a new transmission. It took a few more days to get our trade back and get the title and payment through, but I am so thankful for this video. I listened to my gut and checked it out after finding this information and stood my ground! Thank you for the information and for giving me confidence in the facts!

Just got a 2004 sienna please how do I find the engine number

I have the 2004 Sienna LE, bought new. Every one of my friends who had the same year van, have had their automatic side door stop working. To me, this seems like a Toyota problem. But the dealers refuse to address it. Has anyone else gotten their power side door fixed?

I have a vsc, trac off and check engine light occurring all the on 2008 sienna. It was not the gas cap..is there an easy fix for this problem?

Do i also perform those 2 combos on the 2004 camry since it has the same engine?

I only see part1 and part2 for 2004-2010 Toyota Sienna. Are there others? Is there a playlist just for 2004-2010 Sienna?

Sounds like the 04-06 is the better year despite the timing belt maintenance

Absolutely God send thank you for your wisdom

Your videos help me bought 06 Sienna LE w/ 220kmi for $3k today. It has god awful oil leaks everywhere but it drive and looks fairly new. Thank you.