Engine Replacement

[Maridadi]

I have a 2006 RAV4 that I bought new, and it now has 320,000 miles on it. It's running well and has had very minimal problems over the years. However, it's now burning a lot of oil, which is increasing dramatically over the last couple of months (now about one quart per 250 miles), and the Jiffy Lube guy tells me he sees metal shavings in the oil. I am thinking I should probably replace the engine, and would like some advice on what to look for, and general cost involved.

Thank you!

Maridadi

[FROSTYBALLS]

Diesel or petrol?

Topic moved to Rav4 club

[Mistermena]

I think youve done very well to get that kinda milage out of these engines! I would just run it into the ground and buy a different car! Unless you can find a right off with a 3/4 rebuilt engine and bang that in...

[Maridadi]

It's petrol. I have been thinking about getting a new car, but I do really like this one, and it's in excellent shape. I'm thinking it would be less expensive to replace the engine than to get another car.

[Mistermena]

Thought with that milage it would have been a Diesel. Even better to get that out of a Petrol :)

[gjnorthall]

The petrol engine is easy to refurbish - plenty of aftermarket parts eg pistons readily available. Reconditioned engines are readily available and it should be easy to source a lowish mileage second hand unit. At the high mileage quoted (miles / KM ?) the ancillaries will be pretty well worn and my choice would be a complete used unit. I would suggest fitting a full clutch kit at the same time.

[philip42h]

I suspect that Meredith needs to provide a few more details on the spec of this car and thus the engine that needs to be sourced. Location is given as Other/NonUK, and with mention of Jiffy Lube and quarts I'd suspect this could be a North American car?

[Mistermena]

That would explain why the great milage out of it! Not as many cold starts that can cause up to 80% engine wear.

[gjnorthall]

Same comments really if it's a 2.4 petrol. It's a great engine with aftermarket parts readily available and with so many on the road in the US - it should be possible to source a good used replacement.

[Maridadi]

Thank you everyone for your comments. Yes, I'm in North America, in California so this has never been a cold weather car. I did once drive it from Los Angeles all the way through Mexico to Belize and back. It's a great car, very comfortable and reliable.

I just had the fuel injection cleaning, which is supposed to help with the oil burning. I don't know if it will or not, but will keep topping off the oil as needed (every 300-400 miles). There are no unusual pings or knocking in the engine. It seems to be running fine.

I will look into replacing the engine, but I though first it would be a good idea to have the oil pressure and compression checked, to see if maybe a valve job might be the next best step.

Thanks,

Meredith

[gjnorthall]

Injector cleaning will do nothing to reduce engine oil consumption. Similarly it's highly unlikely that oil burning to this degree results from valve / guide / stem seal wear. Metal shavings in the oil isn't good. If the engine is running fine, it's probably not a bad idea doing what you suggest and keep driving the car keeping a regular watch on the oil level.