Turbo Problem - Fix Or Keep Driving?

March 8, 2011

Hello - about 3 months ago, my rav4 suddenly lost engine power whilst driving down a country road. I could still drive at about 5 mph, but the accelerator wouldn't do anything more. I pulled over and restarted the engine and it has worked fine.

about 2000 miles later, the same happens again last week.

The garage have said the error codes point to the turbo which is very costly.

My question is - do we keep driving it, or is it a very serious issue that needs to be fixed? As the car works fine, and as it has only happened twice (both times being fine after a restart) it's quite hard for me to stump up £2000 - having only changed the DMF last year and having a full service last month, we have already paid £5000 in repairs to a £5000 car over the last 3 years; but at the same time I do not want further damage.

March 8, 2011

welcome to the forum.

I drove my RAV4 petrol (hybrid) with a broken turbo and apart from poorer performance, had no real effect.

With your diesel, I'm not sure what effect it would have on the car--- but if you are starting it and the problem clears, I'd be looking to keep running it...or perhaps see about prices to have the turbo checked/cleaned. I think there are a few posts in this section on a similar topic but there's hundreds of oil burning fanatics here who will advise you from their experience.

March 8, 2011

Did they say what was actually wrong with the turbo?

March 8, 2011

Hello - about 3 months ago, my rav4 suddenly lost engine power whilst driving down a country road. I could still drive at about 5 mph, but the accelerator wouldn't do anything more. I pulled over and restarted the engine and it has worked fine.
about 2000 miles later, the same happens again last week.
The garage have said the error codes point to the turbo which is very costly.
My question is - do we keep driving it, or is it a very serious issue that needs to be fixed? As the car works fine, and as it has only happened twice (both times being fine after a restart) it's quite hard for me to stump up £2000 - having only changed the DMF last year and having a full service last month, we have already paid £5000 in repairs to a £5000 car over the last 3 years; but at the same time I do not want further damage.

Hi Darwins - and welcome to TOC!

Before you get too involved in the turbo, have a look on this forum ( i.e. search ) for SCV or Suction Control Valves. I'm no expert on the RAV4.2, but seem to remember that SCV's and turbos cause similar error codes. Can I suggest the following:

1) Update your profile on the forum so that we have full details of your RAV ( model, engine, age etc )

2) Get the codes read and report back to us - I believe ( another search required! ) that you can buy a code reader for £30ish. There are a few, sorry, most people on here with much more knowledge than I have who would be able to give you a steer on likely fault if you can provide the code. Further thought: if you add your geographic location to your profile you may find that someone fairly local can read the codes for you.

3) If it is the turbo, a reconditioned unit would save you a good slice of that £2000. Again, have a search on here for "Reconditioned Turbos"

Good luck! :thumbsup:

March 8, 2011

Hello - about 3 months ago, my rav4 suddenly lost engine power whilst driving down a country road. I could still drive at about 5 mph, but the accelerator wouldn't do anything more. I pulled over and restarted the engine and it has worked fine.
about 2000 miles later, the same happens again last week.
The garage have said the error codes point to the turbo which is very costly.
My question is - do we keep driving it, or is it a very serious issue that needs to be fixed? As the car works fine, and as it has only happened twice (both times being fine after a restart) it's quite hard for me to stump up £2000 - having only changed the DMF last year and having a full service last month, we have already paid £5000 in repairs to a £5000 car over the last 3 years; but at the same time I do not want further damage.

hello mate

i do not ask many questions cos of your full service done before, but each issue is an individual having had the same outcome. as for it is very interesting why did you lose the power driving down ???? the turbo is either works or not. driving down hill takes a load off the engine and even at this load you ve experienced lack of power -- I presume the first to do are as follows:

- be sure the fuel filter has been definitely changed but not charged :);

- both SCV resistance is in limits specified in repair manual (see pinned section)

- EGR valve stem is being moved slightly

Cheers/Igor

March 8, 2011

Hello - about 3 months ago, my rav4 suddenly lost engine power whilst driving down a country road. I could still drive at about 5 mph, but the accelerator wouldn't do anything more. I pulled over and restarted the engine and it has worked fine.
about 2000 miles later, the same happens again last week.
The garage have said the error codes point to the turbo which is very costly.
My question is - do we keep driving it, or is it a very serious issue that needs to be fixed? As the car works fine, and as it has only happened twice (both times being fine after a restart) it's quite hard for me to stump up £2000 - having only changed the DMF last year and having a full service last month, we have already paid £5000 in repairs to a £5000 car over the last 3 years; but at the same time I do not want further damage.
hello mate
i do not ask many questions cos of your full service done before, but each issue is an individual having had the same outcome. as for it is very interesting why did you lose the power driving down ???? the turbo is either works or not. driving down hill takes a load off the engine and even at this load you ve experienced lack of power -- I presume the first to do are as follows:
- be sure the fuel filter has been definitely changed but not charged :);
- both SCV resistance is in limits specified in repair manual (see pinned section)
- EGR valve stem is being moved slightly
Cheers/Igor

He doesn't mean down a hill when he says 'driving down a country road' Igor. In English we sometimes use 'down a road' to mean 'along a road'. Another example is on the railways, the line to London is always known as the 'up' line :wacko:

And we think your mother tongue is difficult!.....................

March 8, 2011

Hello - about 3 months ago, my rav4 suddenly lost engine power whilst driving down a country road. I could still drive at about 5 mph, but the accelerator wouldn't do anything more. I pulled over and restarted the engine and it has worked fine.
about 2000 miles later, the same happens again last week.
The garage have said the error codes point to the turbo which is very costly.
My question is - do we keep driving it, or is it a very serious issue that needs to be fixed? As the car works fine, and as it has only happened twice (both times being fine after a restart) it's quite hard for me to stump up £2000 - having only changed the DMF last year and having a full service last month, we have already paid £5000 in repairs to a £5000 car over the last 3 years; but at the same time I do not want further damage.
hello mate
i do not ask many questions cos of your full service done before, but each issue is an individual having had the same outcome. as for it is very interesting why did you lose the power driving down ???? the turbo is either works or not. driving down hill takes a load off the engine and even at this load you ve experienced lack of power -- I presume the first to do are as follows:
- be sure the fuel filter has been definitely changed but not charged :);
- both SCV resistance is in limits specified in repair manual (see pinned section)
- EGR valve stem is being moved slightly
Cheers/Igor
He doesn't mean down a hill when he says 'driving down a country road' Igor. In English we sometimes use 'down a road' to mean 'along a road'. Another example is on the railways, the line to London is always known as the 'up' line
And we think your mother tounge is difficult!.....................

:!Removed!: :bookworm: :oops: