[2004Owner]

Will be doing a 1k mile round trip to AZ, taking the 2004 Sienna. I've done lots of service item on it since I took ownership 8 months however, my mind kept playing these bad scenario where it could break down in the middle of nowhere. It did just fine in the 300 mile trip during Thanksgiving. Am I just being paranoid? I did these items in past few months.
Timing belt, water pump, idler pulley, knock sensors, valve cover gasket, cam seals, v belt, ps belt, thermostat, battery, coolant flush, ATF DnF and new starter.

I think only major thing left is the radiator and alternator...

 

[WrenchRunner]

Dude I drive a 200,000 mile sienna with all the confidence in the world. She's a stalwart vision of safety and great engineering. I still wouldn't take it on a 1000 mile trip. Spend the $300 and rent a car from Enterprise, put miles on their vehicle, and let the little lady ride around in a new car for the trip. Then come home and enjoy "old reliable" while you're back in the safety and security of driving around home. I never take my own vehicles on long trips. They're too important to me to risk like that.

 

[ericreyn]

I confirm you are being paranoid, it sounds like you are keeping on top of things for the most part.
If it will go 300 miles than why not 1000.

The way I see things every thing you do in life has a certain risk factor to it. Like what are the odds you will die in a plane crash if you take a flight somewhere ? This keeps people from flying even despite the fact that the odds are so ridiculous low its near impossible it will happen. Winning the lottery or getting struck by lightning twice is a higher probability.
A car randomly breaking down has a similar risk factor. And even a well maintained one or a new one comes with no guarantee that nothing will go wrong. Its all about playing the odds. And they are very low.

 

[thatguy427]

I recently had a Tee fitting fail on me. Luckily it was just as I pulled into my driveway. But that is something to check out. There are two of them right next to each other down below and behind the airbox. I went ahead and did my wife's as well. Her's was on the way out. The hot side is the one that appears to break down. These were on the 2008 versions. The fittings were just over $10 ea from the dealership when purchased online.
The other item that can leave you hanging is the shift lever bushing. That is like a $2 part.

 

[supra129]

You'll be fine since you have been keeping up with the maintenance. No need to overthink it.

 

[2004Owner]

my fear is that there's no cell signal in the deserts or mountains, so if the van were to break down i would have a hard time calling AAA. Is there some kind of tool or gadget that can help with the lack of cell signal?

 

[thatguy427]

my fear is that there's no cell signal in the deserts or mountains, so if the van were to break down i would have a hard time calling AAA. Is there some kind of tool or gadget that can help with the lack of cell signal?

A satellite phone or handheld GPS with an emergency signal function.

 

[Rideshare Sienna]

At 20k miles I drove my van from WA to VA and back. At 60k miles I, again, drove from WA to VA and back. It didn't miss a beat. Sienna is solid. Don't worry, you got this.

 

[sixto]

Pressure test the cooling system. Things don’t pop without a lot of warning if they ever pop. It’s usually slow leaks and pink crystals. Check coolant level at the pressure cap with the engine cold and carry a jug of coolant.

CB radio?

Sixto
‘04 LE FWD 203K miles

 

[circus]

in the deserts .... Is there some kind of tool or gadget that can help with the lack of cell signal?

Folding bicycle..... lots of water.... title.
My fear is being stranded and predatory repair bills miles from home. Seeing that my vehicles are worthless, the plan has been to junk it, take the salvage money and buy bus fare. Hasn't happened in fifty years and this worst case scenario removed travel fears. Your van isn't worth much...so relax.

 

[BillG]

A 1000 road trip is what Siennas are made for! If you're super concerned, take it to the dealer for a multi-point inspection, alignment and an oil change. If they find nothing wrong, go ahead and make the trip. My '06 Sienna has made a 750 mile trip down the east coast once per year for the last 5 years and makes 2-3 trips up to Northern New England to the mountains (300-400 miles) per year, without even getting a fresh oil change or checking the tire pressure. Now, if you have something specifically concerning, by all means, get it addressed before you go. Otherwise, just enjoy your trip!

 

[Roader]

Timing belt, water pump, and tires are the main catastrophic failure points and you took care of the first two. The alternator failing doesn't stop the van and @97K miles it's unlikely to fail. What road are you taking through the desert and mountains? I frequently drive I-70 between Grand Junction, CO and I-15 in UT; it's known as the loneliest Interstate in the US. Yeah, some of the time there's no cell coverage but at least once every 15 minutes I see a semi or state cop. They have radios if you broke down. I wouldn't drive that road at night, though.

 

[thanwu]

I had two 2000-mile roundtrips with now 230k plus 06 Sienna. The radiator was replaced in the summer and the timing belt was replaced a few weeks before the road trip. You should have no problem if you are confident with timing belt, transmission and cooling system as others mentioned above. Enjoy your upcoming trip!

 

[2004Owner]

Timing belt, water pump, and tires are the main catastrophic failure points and you took care of the first two.

two new tires , the other two are 75%. Also renewed the two T's connecting the coolant hoses while i was doing coolant flush.

Going from L.A. to Sedona, AZ. Never done this trip before. Still deciding the route. maybe take a) the I40 and checkout route 66 and overnight at kingman or seligman or b) overnight at Laughlin, NV

 

[WrenchRunner]

I wouldn't drive that road at night, though.

....Windigos! (shiver)

 

[2004Owner]

My mech did warn me about lower oil pan need replace because the thread is bad and hole cannot be enlarged (I did not have time to address it yet). right now drips a few drops overnight but not very critical.

 

[circus]

My mech did warn me about lower oil pan need replace because the thread is bad and hole cannot be enlarged (I did not have time to address it yet). right now drips a few drops overnight but not very critical.

Can't help but wonder how he knows. If the threads slipped while he was tightening, that's worrisome. Lose oil lose engine. Can be fix without replacing the pan but not by a average mechanic (partsswapper).

PS If the plug isn't tight it can, will, fall out. Oil will shoot out and the engine will seize, probably with no warning.
Your not paranoid after all.

 

[BillG]

Can't help but wonder how he knows. If the threads slipped while he was tightening, that's worrisome. Lose oil lose engine. Can be fix without replacing the pan but not by a average mechanic (partsswapper).

PS If the plug isn't tight it can, will, fall out. Oil will shoot out and the engine will seize, probably with no warning.
Your not paranoid after all.

This is an annoyingly common problem... Typically, it's some idiot 20-something with more muscle than experience or some guy who's trying to make "Quick-Change Oil'"s employee of the month by speeding through oil changes with impact tools. Cross thread the drain plug, say nothing, pull it out and put it back in correctly and send it. It will forever drip 1-2 drops every so often forever until a competent mechanic says something or you happen to notice a stain on the driveway. I'm surprised that the mechanic said it can't be repaired. Typically, it can be drilled out, threaded and fitted with a thread repair (i.e. helicoil) insert. However, a junkyard oil pan is also an option. Although, the labor on replacing the pan/gasket is probably a lot higher than the cost of the pan.

 

[Roader]

My mech did warn me about lower oil pan need replace because the thread is bad and hole cannot be enlarged (I did not have time to address it yet). right now drips a few drops overnight but not very critical.

That would be a deal breaker for me. The plug, I think, is 12mm. As Bill notes there are oil drain plug repair kits. Maybe your mechanic sees something that prevents using one but it's a common fix.

 

[2004Owner]

That would be a deal breaker for me. The plug, I think, is 12mm. As Bill notes there are oil drain plug repair kits. Maybe your mechanic sees something that prevents using one but it's a common fix.

i think he said because the pan is made of steel ( not aluminum) so the hole couldn't be enlarged/rethreaded? This was back in march this year when i first got the van so memory is a little fuzzy. he also said oil coming out was a sludgy so the pan needed cleaning.

My intention for getting the van is to do some road trips and pull a light camper but i think i'll let it sit out on this one. Turns out my company offers big corporate discount rate with one of the big rental chains, $145 for a full size sedan for a week (plus tax.) But I really would like to test the van though...