Rav Rattle

[warlock]

i bought a 2001 rav 4 nrg [petrol] recently and find i'ts just developed

a top end [i think] engine tappet type rattle mostly when the engine

is under load .

it does seem to be louder when cold.

does thistype engine usually have a problem

with i'ts hydraulic tappet system

i would appreciate any advice anybody has to offer

[anchorman]

The VVTi is usually bomb proof as far as the engine itself is concerned. We have had a few reports of water pumps throwing their hand in. I suppose you could be unlucky.

Good luck and keep us informed.

[bothwell_buyer]

Was something similar not posted last week?

Try lighting a fire under the engine to warm the oil up??

In the meantime, out with the landrover today - the Battery was flat so had to jump it from the RAV Battery. Reckon the head gasket has blown as its losing water yet no leaks - just clouds of smoke out the rear and a sound like a steam traction engine. Done wonders for the fuel consumption though. Hired a towable lighting genny unit - the mast winch was broke and ended up having to fix a loose connection on its electrics - thank goodness the landrover keeps my hand in!

[Wudzy]

HI,

I seem to have a similar problem, still not sure what it is and has symptoms like ourself. Only has 35k on the clock so I doubt it is a tappet problem. I have looked at the American sister site and there is mention of it there with no worries shown and the mention of injector noise when cold...not heard of that one.

Also does show under load which a tappet would not do, would be the same although faster if you just revved the engine at rest which does not seem to be the case but with this VVT who knows...

I may just change the oil to the recommended as it had just been serviced before I got it and you know garages , may have some 20w 50s cheapo oil onboard...call me cynical or what :o

I will perhaps change it this weekend so will keep you informed as to the outcome.

Cheers

John

[bothwell_buyer]

HI,

I seem to have a similar problem, still not sure what it is and has symptoms like ourself. Only has 35k on the clock so I doubt it is a tappet problem. I have looked at the American sister site and there is mention of it there with no worries shown and the mention of injector noise when cold...not heard of that one.

Also does show under load which a tappet would not do, would be the same although faster if you just revved the engine at rest which does not seem to be the case but with this VVT who knows...

I may just change the oil to the recommended as it had just been serviced before I got it and you know garages , may have some 20w 50s cheapo oil onboard...call me cynical or what :o

I will perhaps change it this weekend so will keep you informed as to the outcome.

Cheers

John

The Jaguar 5.3 V12 injectors are pretty noisy - maybe it is just one of these things. Have you tried wearing a balaclava?

[Wudzy]

HI,

I seem to have a similar problem, still not sure what it is and has symptoms like ourself. Only has 35k on the clock so I doubt it is a tappet problem. I have looked at the American sister site and there is mention of it there with no worries shown and the mention of injector noise when cold...not heard of that one.

Also does show under load which a tappet would not do, would be the same although faster if you just revved the engine at rest which does not seem to be the case but with this VVT who knows...

I may just change the oil to the recommended as it had just been serviced before I got it and you know garages , may have some 20w 50s cheapo oil onboard...call me cynical or what :o

I will perhaps change it this weekend so will keep you informed as to the outcome.

Cheers

John

The Jaguar 5.3 V12 injectors are pretty noisy - maybe it is just one of these things. Have you tried wearing a balaclava?

No but, I have booked in to see Van Gogh's surgeon! but, the glasses then become a problem...

[bothwell_buyer]

HI,

I seem to have a similar problem, still not sure what it is and has symptoms like ourself. Only has 35k on the clock so I doubt it is a tappet problem. I have looked at the American sister site and there is mention of it there with no worries shown and the mention of injector noise when cold...not heard of that one.

Also does show under load which a tappet would not do, would be the same although faster if you just revved the engine at rest which does not seem to be the case but with this VVT who knows...

I may just change the oil to the recommended as it had just been serviced before I got it and you know garages , may have some 20w 50s cheapo oil onboard...call me cynical or what :o

I will perhaps change it this weekend so will keep you informed as to the outcome.

Cheers

John

The Jaguar 5.3 V12 injectors are pretty noisy - maybe it is just one of these things. Have you tried wearing a balaclava?

Just get the glasses changed to titanium legs and implanted inta yer skull - that way ye'll never lose another pair.

No but, I have booked in to see Van Gogh's surgeon! but, the glasses then become a problem...

[warlock]

i've just changed the oil & filter and used hyraulic tappet additive

but does't seem to have cured the problem

i'am very tempted to change the hydraulic lifters

would that be advisable

[bothwell_buyer]

i've just changed the oil & filter and used hyraulic tappet additive

but does't seem to have cured the problem

i'am very tempted to change the hydraulic lifters

would that be advisable

Seems a bit OTT

Have a look at some of the other Toyota Forums on here - I think the VVTi engine is used in some Celicas and other cars.

[anchorman]

Yeh we did discuss this last week with regard to wudzy's car;

http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.p...;hl=screwdriver

As for your valve lifters its a hell of a job. Don't take this the wrong way but are you competent/confident? There are no hydraulic valve lifters as such, only cam followers but you have to remove the drive chains and camshafts and then measure the thickness of the followers with a micrometer and add it to the valve clearance to determin which of 35 different thicknesses of follower need to be obtained.

I wouldn't get involved with that unless you have exhausted all other possibilities and you are happy to proceed. If you want I can give you the info if you pm me with your email address.

Did you listen to the injectors with a screwdriver? That was not a joke!!! You can at least convince yourself that it is or isn't them as they do make a fair amount of loud ticking noise. Also keep in mind that several owners have reported rattling from the water pump and pulleys. I know it sounds at the top but these noises can be very decieving.

Good luck

[warlock]

are the valve lifters on thisengine hydraulic [rely on oil pressure]?

if so will adding SLICK 50 additive be detrimental to the operation of the tappets

[anchorman]

are the valve lifters on thisengine hydraulic [rely on oil pressure]?

if so will adding SLICK 50 additive be detrimental to the operation of the tappets

Take a look at the attached document. The best way I can describe it is like an inverted tappet or cam follower - it is just a cap sitting on top of the valve with a predetermined clearance due to its thickness. It does not contain any oil under pressure;

If it is making enough noise to hear that obviously it will have some visual damage or excessive clearance and to be honest slick 50 is too gimicky to cure anything of that nature. You should be able to check these visual things with the cam cover off. These things rarely go wrong and even taking the cover off is messy so try and be sure it is in there. If you have the engine running and take the oil filler cap off does it sound any louder from in there? Have you listemed to the injectors? Are you confident that the noise is not coming from the pulley end?

[warlock]

i've had the rocker cover off and there is'nt any obvious damage or marking

all the valve clearances are in spec

i'll take the auxillary belt of next and check the water pump

thank you very much ANCHORMANfor your help

i really appreciate it

[warlock]

i changed the gearbox & transfer box oil today[on the rav]

what an awkward filler plug on the transfer box would'nt

like to do that everyday

doing the rear diff later that filler plug looks really

awkward also

[anchorman]

Not too bad. I got this one on an uphill slope and on the ramps to level it out. There is room to get the oil container in;

I try to get the right amount of oil in (0.9 litres) rather than make the level;

Even the plugs are nice!

The transfer box filler even warns you it is different oil than the gearbox;

[warlock]

for some reason my transfer box has'nt got as much room as the one shown

and the plugs are in a completely different position

much more difficult to access

[Wudzy]

Well all seems well now.. :D .I put a tank full of Super duper petrol (SHELL) in yesterday and this morning no rattle...why, not sure but sounds sweet as a nut..

Fingers crossed she keeps like that and I will spend that more on petrol if it keeps it away...

Thanks Anchorman for those great posts on changing the oil, another job, not this weekend as crap weather yet again is due this weekend...still got the hour to look forward to..

Cheers

John

PS She still revs a little high but calms down to about 850 after a minute or so..I can live with that.