Are Injector Failures Common in the Prado 3.5?
2 Answers
Injector failures in the Prado 3.5 are not a widespread issue; they occur only in individual vehicles. Consequences of Injector Clogging: When injectors are slightly clogged, it can still affect the vehicle's performance. For cars in poor condition or those driven for extended periods, long-term neglect of injector cleaning can worsen the clogging. This leads to poor fuel injection, improper spray angles, and inadequate atomization, causing rough idling, acceleration issues, or poor performance under full load. Consequently, engine power decreases, fuel consumption rises, emissions increase, and in severe cases, the engine may fail to operate. Injector Maintenance: The maintenance interval depends on the vehicle's condition and the quality of fuel used. Generally, it is recommended to clean the injectors every 20,000 to 30,000 km. For well-maintained vehicles using high-quality fuel, this interval can be extended to 40,000 to 60,000 km.
As a proud Prado owner who's driven the 3.5L version for several years, this topic frequently comes up in our owner circles. While fuel injector failures aren't extremely common, two of my friends encountered this issue in high-mileage vehicles (over 150,000 km). The main symptoms were engine vibration and sluggish acceleration, with diagnosis revealing clogged injector nozzles. The primary causes are using substandard fuel or prolonged city driving with frequent short trips, which accelerates carbon buildup. While Toyota's overall reliability is excellent, the fuel injectors are particularly sensitive to fuel quality. Therefore, I recommend using 95-octane or higher gasoline and adding a bottle of legitimate fuel system cleaner every six months. Additionally, vehicles frequently used in high-altitude areas face slightly higher risks, but regular maintenance checks can effectively prevent issues. Remember - never compromise on fuel quality, and with proper engine care, problems rarely occur.
