Which Rav4 Engine

[kaptainkremmin]

Hi everyone, I'm looking at getting a 07 Rav4 2.0 petrol 48k FMDH reading the oil problems Toyota are having, (after 50k) is there a particular model or engine I should be avoiding in the Rav4 range, Diesel isn't an option as I only do 5k a year now, some Rav's have the VVTI fitted and others a bit later Valvematic if its not the same engine. I have a 08 Volvo V50 2.4 SE D5 Geartronic with 45k FMDH was looking at doing a straight swop but don't want dealer to jump at it, if he's passing a future problem on to me, and who's getting the better deal, will look forward to any answers

Regards

[gjnorthall]

Valvematic is an advancement of VVT-i which results in 5-10% fuel economy improvement. Rav4 petrol engines don't have any particular inherent issues - the oil consumption problem is confined to certain diesel engines. Any used car can have issues and should be checked out thoroughly.

[kaptainkremmin]

Valvematic is an advancement of VVT-i which results in 5-10% fuel economy improvement. Rav4 petrol engines don't have any particular inherent issues - the oil consumption problem is confined to certain diesel engines. Any used car can have issues and should be checked out thoroughly.

I had an idea it was the newer engine but I'm sure I saw one in an 08-09 if so when were they brought in or had the Rav I saw had an engine change under warranty, sludging in the engine was a problem I had heard but was this with using mineral oil and not semi or fully synthetic, I do know someone who works for Toyota and he said a lot of engines had be replaced under warranty but that was for cars under five years old and under 100k which ever came first and they had full service history.

[gjnorthall]

Valvematic was introduced on the Rav in mid 2009. Many diesel engines were replaced under an extended warranty arrangement from 2006 - this didn't involve petrol versions. All petrol versions of the Rav have relatively reliable engines with no particular weaknesses - provided they're serviced to the manufacturers specification.

[DjRav]

I've got a 57 diesel with no issues but any earlier is risky, safer with 08 onwards. But if petrol should be bombproof!!