Rav4 Engine Problem!

[JOHN RICHARDSON]

Hi There,

New to the forum and need some help, I have a 2007 XTR 2.2 d4d, Purchased about 6 months ago, the first problem is that when it pulls up hills or on the motorway the cooling fan comes on but the engine temperature gauge doesn't actually go up at all and the fan turns off as soon as you pull up.

Second problem is engine rattle, coming from a petrol rav, it seems very noisy when cold and doesnt get a great deal better when warmed up almost like the cams are rattling(not under load or low down the revs) apart from this the car runs great and gets great MPG any help or advise would be very much appreciated.

[Joylove]

About the engine fan, I'm not understanding the problem. Remembering that diesel engines don't make much heat, so much so there is often a cabin heater for the passengers to warm them on cold mornings; and that the temperature needle will probably be software damped, allowing say a 10-20C swing whilst the needle stays central. Could it be low coolant causing a temperature spike perhaps?

[Davrav]

About the engine fan, I'm not understanding the problem. Remembering that diesel engines don't make much heat, so much so there is often a cabin heater for the passengers to warm them on cold mornings; and that the temperature needle will probably be software damped, allowing say a 10-20C swing whilst the needle stays central. Could it be low coolant causing a temperature spike perhaps?

It's a petrol Bob........

[Davrav]

Hi There,

New to the forum and need some help, I have a 2007 XTR 2.2 d4d, Purchased about 6 months ago, the first problem is that when it pulls up hills or on the motorway the cooling fan comes on but the engine temperature gauge doesn't actually go up at all and the fan turns off as soon as you pull up.

Second problem is engine rattle, coming from a petrol rav, it seems very noisy when cold and doesnt get a great deal better when warmed up almost like the cams are rattling(not under load or low down the revs) apart from this the car runs great and gets great MPG any help or advise would be very much appreciated.

Bit obvious but...........have you checked the coolant?

[pal1]

A d4d petrol, that's different !!

[jedi134]

Has it got the dreaded head gasket over heating problem, that requires a new engine, hopefully under warranty.

[Davrav]

A d4d petrol, that's different !!

Ah Ha, member details different to post

I'd go with Jedi then.

You need to get that engine checked ASAP as it does sound like head gasket failure from the description but I'd ruled that out thinking it was a petrol and they don't seem to suffer.........

[JOHN RICHARDSON]

Hi Guys,

It's definetly a diesel! at least last time I filled it up.

Doesn't loose any coolant and it still does it when all the heating / Air con is turned off! I thought could it possibly be aircon needing charging??

It only comes on when pulling up hills but soon as I pull up it turns off, I have managed to jump out and see what fan it is, I think its the aux fan if that helps.

The cars in the garage today having new brakes fitted so they are going to check it over, I'm a bit concerned because I don't have an extended warranty, feel like I'm bashing my head against the wall with it!!

Cheers John

[Davrav]

I'm a bit concerned because I don't have an extended warranty

Should it prove to be a head gasket, EGR or excessive use of oil issue, then Toyota have initiated an extended warranty on these engines for 7 years or 112K miles.

All you need is proof that the car has been 'reasonably maintained' in line with Toyota guidelines

[anchorman]

It sounds perfectly normal to me. The fans are only supposed to provide cooling if the temperature rises and that of course will be the case when climbing. The switches are set to maintain a fairly constant temperature so you won't see much change on the guage. The fans will run even more when the A/C is on and certainly all the time the compressor is engaged. I would be more worried if they didn't switch in and out.

The diesel noise was a concern to me when I first got a 2.2 but they are a common rail diesel and knock can be pronounced especially when cold.

BTW, diesels still run at high temperature (82-88 degC coolant temp) - they just take a long time to warm up.

[jirehn]

Did you checked it already?and your gauges must also be checked.

[igormus]

Hi There,

New to the forum and need some help, I have a 2007 XTR 2.2 d4d, Purchased about 6 months ago, the first problem is that when it pulls up hills or on the motorway the cooling fan comes on but the engine temperature gauge doesn't actually go up at all and the fan turns off as soon as you pull up.

Second problem is engine rattle, coming from a petrol rav, it seems very noisy when cold and doesnt get a great deal better when warmed up almost like the cams are rattling(not under load or low down the revs) apart from this the car runs great and gets great MPG any help or advise would be very much appreciated.

Hello John

1. In case the themp gauge needle remains in the same position or so, let say in the middle of her way, when climbed -- it means both themp sensor and fan/relay are in order. Normally the pre-set thermo relay differential (command to switch the fan ON when the themp rises) is arround 5-7 C degrees and this differential can not be shown on the dial gauge way.

2. As to the rattle --the warmer the quieter in reasonable limits, subject to your injection system works fine without over fueling the cylinder/s.

Nothing to be worried about, so far - thanks to yr MPG is great.

Cheers/Igor

[jedi134]

Hmmmmmmmmm! I would be a bit worried if my fans kept coming on in November, especially when at motorways speeds where there should be more than enough air flow to cool the engine without the fans having to come on. Unless of course your motorway speeds are in excess of 100 mph????????

Do they all do this?

[Davrav]

Hmmmmmmmmm! I would be a bit worried if my fans kept coming on in November, especially when at motorways speeds where there should be more than enough air flow to cool the engine without the fans having to come on. Unless of course your motorway speeds are in excess of 100 mph????????

Do they all do this?

Well, I've either got very quiet fans or a noisy engine 'cos I've not been aware of them coming on at all in three and a half years

[igormus]

Hmmmmmmmmm! I would be a bit worried if my fans kept coming on in November, especially when at motorways speeds where there should be more than enough air flow to cool the engine without the fans having to come on. Unless of course your motorway speeds are in excess of 100 mph????????

Do they all do this?

the fan might to have a command from an A/C circuit pressure sensor even at cold weather to have sufficient cooling/condensation of R134a gas vapors. if the engine themp is in limits then i would not recommend to penetrate into an auto control units life, cheers

[jedi134]

Hmmmmmmmmm! I would be a bit worried if my fans kept coming on in November, especially when at motorways speeds where there should be more than enough air flow to cool the engine without the fans having to come on. Unless of course your motorway speeds are in excess of 100 mph????????

Do they all do this?

Well, I've either got very quiet fans or a noisy engine 'cos I've not been aware of them coming on at all in three and a half years

My thoughts exactly, if the OP has noticed them coming on, maybe there is something wrong?

[jedi134]

Hmmmmmmmmm! I would be a bit worried if my fans kept coming on in November, especially when at motorways speeds where there should be more than enough air flow to cool the engine without the fans having to come on. Unless of course your motorway speeds are in excess of 100 mph????????

Do they all do this?

the fan might to have a command from an A/C circuit pressure sensor even at cold weather to have sufficient cooling/condensation of R134a gas vapors. if the engine themp is in limits then i would not recommend to penetrate into an auto control units life, cheers

I thought they come on only slightly for the AC????? as the OP has noticed them coming on they must be coming on at DEFCON 1 levels WARNING!!!!! WARNING!!!! lights dim and car sounds like a jet fighter

[JOHN RICHARDSON]

I'm going to have the A/c checked because it's come back from the garage today and the mechanic says it hasn't lost any fluids at all since it's service 5 months ago. I've heard that if he a/c does drop the fan can come on to compensate for lack of pressure even when not been used, hopefully this will resolve it but I'm not overly convinced! Thanks for everyone's advise!

[anchorman]

Depends on how steep the hill is and how fast you are going. If you are going quite fast the ram air should cool the radiators but if not the fans must run to maintain normal temp.

You've not had a previous luddite owner who has partially covered the radiator like they did with Moggy 1000's have you John?

There are three radiators in a cooling pack but you should see down the front if you peer through the grill.