Pulling Below 1500 Revs

[vernon87]

Hi everybody, I'm new to Toyotas, having owned VW's before, a 2.0 TDi 140 Golf and a 2.0TDI 140 Tiguan.

I now have a 2003 RAV 4 2.0 litre diesel, it goes OK, but doesn't like pulling below 1500 revs in fifth gear, it vibrates badly, (my VW's would pull from 1000 revs), is this normal?

[Davrav]

Hello Vernon and welcome to the club

What mileage does the car have? When you say vibrates do you mean the whole car shakes or just the drive train?

Is the clutch take up smooth?

Others will be along with suggestions but any further description of symptoms would help.

[vernon87]

It's done about 55,000, and the clutch is smooth, it isn't a bad vibration more of a lack of flexibilty (low down torque) causing it to vibrate, i.e driving to too high a gear.

My VW's would pull smoothly from 1000 rpm, but the Rav doesn't like going below 1500 rpm (40 mph) in 5th gear, it's annoying, in traffic, to have to keep changing gear once it drops below 40 mph in 5th.

Maybe the VW's made me lazy! and it's just a characteristic I'll have to get used to withToyotas

[igormus]

Hi everybody, I'm new to Toyotas, having owned VW's before, a 2.0 TDi 140 Golf and a 2.0TDI 140 Tiguan.

I now have a 2003 RAV 4 2.0 litre diesel, it goes OK, but doesn't like pulling below 1500 revs in fifth gear, it vibrates badly, (my VW's would pull from 1000 revs), is this normal?

hi and welcomeok - clutch seems OK, as far as i ve caught you.now open EGR and reply what is there -- whether it has holes to pass gases thru?the holes are big enough, so be precise with info.regards / Igor

[anchorman]

Either that or have a read of the pinned DMF section.

[crofter]

Probably a insulting question,Vernon,if so apologies beforehand.

Was theTiguan a 4x4 ?

Del

[vernon87]

Yes, a 140PS 4X4, a very smooth motor, hence my query, does Rav 2.0 diesels pull smoothly from low (below 1500) revs in 5th gear? It's fine in every other aspect

Don't scare me with talk of DMF etc, what do other 2.0 diesels do?

[Cyker]

I think it's just something you have to get used to; The Toyota D4Ds have slightly different driving characteristics to typical german diesel lumps which tend to have more low-end torque but a lower rev ceiling.

Toyota have somehow managed to inject that japanese obsession of higher revs into their diesel engines ;

I know my Yaris' 1.4 D4D can spin 1500rpm faster than any other diesel engine I've been in (Although admittedly I don't like taking it past 3000 unless I'm using V-Power diesel as the engine noise and vibrations get scary in such a small car! )

Most D4Ds start to pull hard from about 1800-2000 rpm which is where the turbo starts to properly deliver air to the engine. Below that the engine is super efficient but you don't get as much pull.

So, stay below 1800rpm to save fuel and go above it to have fun :D

It's a nice characteristic of the Toyota D4D that I haven't had in any other derv lump; With most diesels either they are super efficient but have crap acceleration or they pull like trains but don't have much better mpg than a decently efficient petrol car...

I fear I shall miss that when they start using the BMW engines...

[Tech01]

Hi Vernon, and welcome!

I'd agree with Cyker's comments above - I have the exact same vehicle and year.

Don't forget that diesel fuel quality has a significant effect of "low down torque", and so it might be worth...

- giving the engine a good motorway blast (revs at 3000+ for around 10-15 minutes), to shift accumulated soot from the exhaust;

- avoid cheap (supermarket) fuel, and buy main brand or even "best";

- running a good dose of Miller's Diesel Power Plus, or Wynn's Diesel Fuel Treatment, or BG244, to shift accumulated deposits from pump and injectors. Continued use of either of the first two will give you the best pulling power from your preferred fuel, especially at low revs.

- replace the air filter, if not already done;

- at your mileage, consider having the injectors removed, checked and serviced (by a diesel injection specialist).

Best regards,

Chris

[vernon87]

Thanks chaps, it appears I have to get used to Toyotas torque range being different to VW's.

[ginnnts]

Yeah... Had to get used to it too after Audi A4 1.9tdi. Audi's engine worked good 1100-2500 rpm, after that it didn't show much power!

But on Toyota it's 1800-3200rpm where the fun is! :D Like on petrol engine!

Lack of power on low rpm can be nightmare while towing (burning clutch)! :(