4.3 Engine Tone

[webleymk3]

All. Since having the rav my biggest gripe (apart from the awful 1st to 2nd gear change) is the engine tone. It sounds like a proper tractor!

I've become particularly interested in this as I was out in my father-in-laws Avensis which he tells me has the same engine and it was quiet and smooth - like I'd expect from a modern diesel engine.

Another comparison is against my brother's A4 which is a 2.0 diesel and is again quiet and smooth.

What's everyone's experience of their engine sound and how it compares to other diesels?

Thanks.

Web

[Big Kev]

Websmin....do you mean you disapprove of the sorta low freqency "throaty" tone given off by said mill....? Matbe the XT4 is different, but I have had a lot of younger folks approve of how mine sounds internally on acceleration, both pre and post Kingo chip kit fitment.....?

Big Kev

[bothwell_buyer]

Young web - ah'll gie ye a shot o the number 1 RAv aifter it comes oot o a garage waur it gettin ra rollcage fitted. Nae sound proofin. Nae dashboard. Nae headliner. nae carpet. Jist puir power tae shift the beast an me!

But bring yer ear-muffs !!!!

[bothwell_buyer]

On second thoughts yer earmuffs probably weigh too much..... bring cotton wool tae plug yer ears. Are yer sensitive/prone tae nose bleeds ????

[CharlieFarlie]

I think the noise You are talking about comes from the exhaust ?? Its there usually if You are accelerating in the lower gears ?? and fades away as the engine revs rise ?? It is an exhaust note or rasp if that makes any sense ??

If this is the case then comparisons with other cars especially the Audi is pointless.

It is a characteristic of the car and short of re routing or changing radically the exhaust shape it will remain..

The gear change is not the smoothest ! I tried the Rav and the late shape Honda CRV . The CRV is far worse by virtue of its complicated linkage that allows the gear lever to be high on the dash as is fashionable these days.

I am over the next week or so going to strip out the centre console and have a look at greasing and lubricating any moving parts to see if I can improve the change on My car which in all honesty is pretty good anyway but I have time so I will fiddle !!!

Charlie.

[jedi134]

My 4.2 rav sounds like a bag of nails, its the most nosiest diesel I have owned. Not exhaust note but engine noise.

TD4 freelanders are quiter, and as for the VAG group diesels WOW these are quite, you can hardly tell they are a diesel, they have a loverly purrrrrrrrrrrrr to them.

I have 1st to 2nd gear problems in a Golf, and the rav, not mayjor, but when cold its very notchy, I but this down the type of gear oil used, once warmed up, its ok.

[Davrav]

I am over the next week or so going to strip out the centre console and have a look at greasing and lubricating any moving parts to see if I can improve the change on My car which in all honesty is pretty good anyway but I have time so I will fiddle !!!

Charlie.

If you are stripping out the console Charlie, just be careful of the moulded tabs/clips on the various bits of trim - they're made of chocolate.............

The 'bullet' style plugs seem to be pretty robust though

[CharlieFarlie]

I am over the next week or so going to strip out the centre console and have a look at greasing and lubricating any moving parts to see if I can improve the change on My car which in all honesty is pretty good anyway but I have time so I will fiddle !!!

Charlie.

If you are stripping out the console Charlie, just be careful of the moulded tabs/clips on the various bits of trim - they're made of chocolate.............

The 'bullet' style plugs seem to be pretty robust though

Thanks Mate !! I have had many years building Bikes so am aware of how easy it is for those sodding things to break !! Bikes can be a nightmare to assemble and take apart....

[CharlieFarlie]

My 4.2 rav sounds like a bag of nails, its the most nosiest diesel I have owned. Not exhaust note but engine noise.

TD4 freelanders are quiter, and as for the VAG group diesels WOW these are quite, you can hardly tell they are a diesel, they have a loverly purrrrrrrrrrrrr to them.

I have 1st to 2nd gear problems in a Golf, and the rav, not mayjor, but when cold its very notchy, I but this down the type of gear oil used, once warmed up, its ok.

I agree the change gets better as the engine/box warms up. But a little extra lubing wont do any harm.....

I would guess that the 2.2 engine is far quieter than the 2.0 in Your car ?? The 2.2 is pretty good as regards engine noise but is this down to soundproofing ??

[webleymk3]

It's definitely the engine itself. Ive taken the engine cover off and it's very noisy! In lamens terms it sounds like the pistons hitting the top of the engine block!!

All that said, that might be normal and just down to crap insulation!!

Kev, a shot in 1Rav sounds fun. I have small ear plugs for at night (baby crying or something!) so can bring em!! Besides KevRav wants to meet his Scottish cousin!!!

[jedi134]

My 4.2 rav sounds like a bag of nails, its the most nosiest diesel I have owned. Not exhaust note but engine noise.

TD4 freelanders are quiter, and as for the VAG group diesels WOW these are quite, you can hardly tell they are a diesel, they have a loverly purrrrrrrrrrrrr to them.

I have 1st to 2nd gear problems in a Golf, and the rav, not mayjor, but when cold its very notchy, I but this down the type of gear oil used, once warmed up, its ok.

I agree the change gets better as the engine/box warms up. But a little extra lubing wont do any harm.....

I would guess that the 2.2 engine is far quieter than the 2.0 in Your car ?? The 2.2 is pretty good as regards engine noise but is this down to soundproofing ??

Yep I belive my 2.0 engine was always noisy even from new, I presume the 2.2 will be better as its a newer design, not sure if this is down to sound proofing thou.

[jedi134]

In lamens terms it sounds like the pistons hitting the top of the engine block!!

That sounds scary to me

[anchorman]

It's definitely the engine itself. Ive taken the engine cover off and it's very noisy! In lamens terms it sounds like the pistons hitting the top of the engine block!!

All that said, that might be normal and just down to crap insulation!!

Kev, a shot in 1Rav sounds fun. I have small ear plugs for at night (baby crying or something!) so can bring em!! Besides KevRav wants to meet his Scottish cousin!!!

The early 2.2s could suffer from diesel knock which made them sound like an old Transit van. There is a service fix which involves recalibration of the injectors (got a TSB somewhere if you want it) but it won't cure it completely. You can go some way to improving it with high grade diesel but other than that don't worry about it.

T/SR180s sound completely different. They are much quieter due to the D-CAT system. Post 2009 models are also much quieter.

[webleymk3]

In lamens terms it sounds like the pistons hitting the top of the engine block!!

That sounds scary to me

Ha. Just had my uncle listen to it who has a mechanical background and he say it just sounds like a happy tight diesel engine. I guess it must just be an insulation thing.

Maybe I should try and convince the wife that the only way to fix it is to buy the chip do da thingimy whatsit from Lindops!! I'll let you know how I get on.

Web

[webleymk3]

It's definitely the engine itself. Ive taken the engine cover off and it's very noisy! In lamens terms it sounds like the pistons hitting the top of the engine block!!

All that said, that might be normal and just down to crap insulation!!

Kev, a shot in 1Rav sounds fun. I have small ear plugs for at night (baby crying or something!) so can bring em!! Besides KevRav wants to meet his Scottish cousin!!!

The early 2.2s could suffer from diesel knock which made them sound like an old Transit van. There is a service fix which involves recalibration of the injectors (got a TSB somewhere if you want it) but it won't cure it completely. You can go some way to improving it with high grade diesel but other than that don't worry about it.

T/SR180s sound completely different. They are much quieter due to the D-CAT system. Post 2009 models are also much quieter.

Thanks anchs. A tsb would be good as it goes in for service soon and I'll raise it then. Interestingly, remember all the oil on the engine block I posted about a few weeks ago. I think one of the injectors is leaking where is screws into the block.

I'm also going to print the Tsb about the egr valve and engine fix. See what they say to that.

Thanks

[CharlieFarlie]

If the re calibration has been done the Dealer who did it should have put a sticker on one of the engine covers with a code and the date it was done..........................

[anchorman]

4.3 noisey injectors.pdf

[webleymk3]

Thanks. It's intereting it highlights problems starting when cold as a symptom.

I posted on the forum during the winter that she struggled to start in the cold.

Sweet. Thanks again.

[anchorman]

Ah well that could be related and it could be the glow plugs that could give problems on early models.

[webleymk3]

Yeah. I asked MrT about the glow plugs during the winter an they said they were fine.

I'm on holiday this week and unfortunately due to family circumstances I am not in Portugal. :(. Plan to take her an chat about the issues with the service manager.

I'll let you know how I go.

[svennard]

Guys

I may be able to help.

I've been researching this problem for a good 12 months and I know how frustrating it is when no one has a definative answer. There are so many people of her reporting very similar problems, and it is difficult to explain these problems on a forum without a technical background.

However, I think I may have that answer if you have a 4.3 RAV4 2.2 D4D and are suffering engine knock / loud banging / rough idle, poor econ.

Just got my car back from the dealership yesterday.FIXED.

To confirm, I have a 4.3 Rav4 2.2 (56 plate) with 36k on the clock. I've only had the car 18 months and bought it with 30K on the clock. Not doing many miles as you can see. Can't remember exactly when it started,but for certainly for over 12 months I have been suffering with terrible 'tractor' noises or very loud knocking at low speed (low revs). Also had the smoky exhaust and poor mpg (max 29-30)

I had tried all the of the laymans options - oils, filters,fuel cleaners. No improvement.

I took the EGR value off and found it to be completly clogged with carbon. Not a good sign. I assumed that my car was out of warranty on age alone so I took to visiting a number of garages who said it was anything from 'normal diesel knock' to 'a dodgy sensor' to a 'new set of injectors'.

Frustrated, I decided to give my local Toyota dealership a ring (Westlands, Worcester)

I was extremely suprised when the parts guy said straight away ' Yes, it is a recognised problem on that engine. If it is what I think its an enqine rebuild. Over 3k of work, but Toyota has extended their warranty for this issue to 5 years'.

Took the car in to them last tues (17/05/11). Had a call in the afternoon to say it needed new revised pistons, values, seals, head gasket and revised injectors.

I was told that the original engine design was flawed. The engine did not allow adequate recirculated exhaust gases to flow through the engine, meaning a build up on the head and engine components - and this then backing up into the EGR. Cleaning out the EGR is ok, but it would seem that once the EGR was blocked,the damage was done. He explained that the injectors were also damaged, perhaps as a result of this, but in any case, they would fit new revised ones. I am not technical, so bear with me, but he described the new pistons as being designed to allow more recirculated gases to flow freely, preventing the carbon clogging and damage that I had seen. He also said that this was a wide spread and recoginised issue.

In total, the work cost nearly 4k,but it was completly free to me. (incidently, I had the revised steering shaft fitted (another problem on the 4.3) which wasn't covered, but they did fit it at cost, so I really can't complain.

Got the car back yesterday and it runs like a dream. Quiet - no smoke - and extra urban has shot up and is now easily around 42mpg - not 29mpg.

Please spread the word - so many people with this problem, to a certain degree or other. Cheers!!

[webleymk3]

Guys

I may be able to help.

I've been researching this problem for a good 12 months and I know how frustrating it is when no one has a definative answer. There are so many people of her reporting very similar problems, and it is difficult to explain these problems on a forum without a technical background.

However, I think I may have that answer if you have a 4.3 RAV4 2.2 D4D and are suffering engine knock / loud banging / rough idle, poor econ.

Just got my car back from the dealership yesterday.FIXED.

To confirm, I have a 4.3 Rav4 2.2 (56 plate) with 36k on the clock. I've only had the car 18 months and bought it with 30K on the clock. Not doing many miles as you can see. Can't remember exactly when it started,but for certainly for over 12 months I have been suffering with terrible 'tractor' noises or very loud knocking at low speed (low revs). Also had the smoky exhaust and poor mpg (max 29-30)

I had tried all the of the laymans options - oils, filters,fuel cleaners. No improvement.

I took the EGR value off and found it to be completly clogged with carbon. Not a good sign. I assumed that my car was out of warranty on age alone so I took to visiting a number of garages who said it was anything from 'normal diesel knock' to 'a dodgy sensor' to a 'new set of injectors'.

Frustrated, I decided to give my local Toyota dealership a ring (Westlands, Worcester)

I was extremely suprised when the parts guy said straight away ' Yes, it is a recognised problem on that engine. If it is what I think its an enqine rebuild. Over 3k of work, but Toyota has extended their warranty for this issue to 5 years'.

Took the car in to them last tues (17/05/11). Had a call in the afternoon to say it needed new revised pistons, values, seals, head gasket and revised injectors.

I was told that the original engine design was flawed. The engine did not allow adequate recirculated exhaust gases to flow through the engine, meaning a build up on the head and engine components - and this then backing up into the EGR. Cleaning out the EGR is ok, but it would seem that once the EGR was blocked,the damage was done. He explained that the injectors were also damaged, perhaps as a result of this, but in any case, they would fit new revised ones. I am not technical, so bear with me, but he described the new pistons as being designed to allow more recirculated gases to flow freely, preventing the carbon clogging and damage that I had seen. He also said that this was a wide spread and recoginised issue.

In total, the work cost nearly 4k,but it was completly free to me. (incidently, I had the revised steering shaft fitted (another problem on the 4.3) which wasn't covered, but they did fit it at cost, so I really can't complain.

Got the car back yesterday and it runs like a dream. Quiet - no smoke - and extra urban has shot up and is now easily around 42mpg - not 29mpg.

Please spread the word - so many people with this problem, to a certain degree or other. Cheers!!

Car is in tomorrow and EGR valve is on the hit list...

I'll let you know how we go.

[cooper109]

All. Since having the rav my biggest gripe (apart from the awful 1st to 2nd gear change) is the engine tone. It sounds like a proper tractor!

I've become particularly interested in this as I was out in my father-in-laws Avensis which he tells me has the same engine and it was quiet and smooth - like I'd expect from a modern diesel engine.

Another comparison is against my brother's A4 which is a 2.0 diesel and is again quiet and smooth.

What's everyone's experience of their engine sound and how it compares to other diesels?

Thanks.

Web

Hello there just noticed you have awful 1st to 2nd gear me too its very anoying if i dont dont time it right or rush it crunches like hell is it simler to yours took back to dealer they say there is nothing wrong? thanks

[webleymk3]

My first to second isn't horrendous, just not brilliant. I recall someone mentioning its to do with 1st being a compromise gear due to no diff lock.

I just find I can't make the change quickly. It alway has to be a fairly slow, steady change.

[Mistermena]

My first to second isn't horrendous, just not brilliant. I recall someone mentioning its to do with 1st being a compromise gear due to no diff lock.

I just find I can't make the change quickly. It alway has to be a fairly slow, steady change.

My Avensis T-180 was awful to get into gear when cold. And it crunched into 2nd all the time. So I changed the box oil to Silkolene Pro SRG full ester racing box oil (Straight 75w grade) and it goes straight into 1st when cold and no more crunches due to the tripple synco box.