Sluggish 1997 Rav

[cornedray]

Hi,

First posting and question from a newcomer to all this!

We have just treated ourselves to a terrific 1997, 5 door auto Rav VX. Only done 55,000 miles and seems to have been lovingly cared for, there being no faults at all that we can ascertain so far. However...............the car, considering it has a 2 litre engine (albeit 12 yeras old) does seem to be a wee bit sluggish.

I am not mechanically minded at all, but was wondering if anyone has any tips or ideas which I or my local mechanic could do to help this great old car become a bit more zippy? Or am I asking an o.a.p to take part in the 200m sprint race?

Cheers everyone!

Regards.

[dave.m]

Welcome to the club, you need to wait for Bothwell_Buyer's advice. He is the forum's expert on your model

[anchorman]

Do the obvious first;

Give it a good service

The use of the correct spark plugs is essential

Check the tyre pressures

The engine ECU has a "learning" facility. Disconnect the Battery for approx 30 minutes. Reconnect and then take it out and after warming drive it hard and try to include some motorway speeds. It will remap the ECU to your style of driving. Don't expect miracles! I think they usually vary by up to 5%. The most affective difference I know of is on a 2.0 litre Renault Laguna but most others are moderate.

As Dave says bothy may be able to add more but most of his mods require aerofoils to stop it taking off!

Welcome to the club.

[bothwell_buyer]

Hi,

First posting and question from a newcomer to all this!

We have just treated ourselves to a terrific 1997, 5 door auto Rav VX. Only done 55,000 miles and seems to have been lovingly cared for, there being no faults at all that we can ascertain so far. However...............the car, considering it has a 2 litre engine (albeit 12 yeras old) does seem to be a wee bit sluggish.

I am not mechanically minded at all, but was wondering if anyone has any tips or ideas which I or my local mechanic could do to help this great old car become a bit more zippy? Or am I asking an o.a.p to take part in the 200m sprint race?

Cheers everyone!

Regards.

Sorry - was part way through answering another topic when the feeling of needing to go back to bed came over me - ie knackered! Nothing other than my age, being overweight, and a symptom of some tablets I take!!!! Not that these tablets would do anything for your RAV.

The 1997 RAV uses the 3SFE engine - 1998cc - and throws out 127bhp. On the 3 door version, when the model was launched in 1994, it was a pretty nippy car and could out-perform most other cars of its class. The 3SFE engine has been fitted in other cars such as the MR2 and so on... but dates back to the 80's. Its not an engine known to be used to tune-up much to increase power although some folk have tried.

The simple bits to start with is its service history. 55,000 miles is not that much for this engine. The models up to 1997 had ignition systems and used distributor caps - have a look and see if yours has this system. If so, I'd fit new spark plugs; leads; and a distributor cap and rotor arm. This would eliminate any probs with age deterioration of these items.

The cam belt needs replacing at 60,000 miles. It may be that the belt has already been done on your car. If it has been replaced, theres always the chance that it has been replaced, and at the time the timing has been knocked out by a tooth or 2.

A visit to an engine tuning shop would help to highlight potential faults quickly and test out the fuel mix....and should not cost that much. Other simple things - is the air filter clean or does it need renewed?

I'm a believer that an engine needs a good run from time to time to get it up to proper working temperature - if its always been used for short runs then things could get gummed up.

The engine can rev up to about 5500 fairly safely - have you tried higher revs at all and does it stutter at all??? Other wee things like the petrol filter being choked will alter things.

I use Shell V-Power - its a bit more expensive but I always found I got slightly better performance. With the 3SGTE turbo engine I run, I need to use the higher octane stuff as the engine is working that bit harder. The 3SFE engine benefits slightly from this stuff.

As far as the oap bit - my 2 RAV4s are both 1994 vintage and running 1994 3SGTE engines, but still using the original transmission. Number1 RAV gets 14.8 seconds on the standing start 1/4 mile; and picks up to 100mph very very quickly. Up to now it hasn't grumbled too much!! Number2 RAV is a more recent build and is still going through testing.

[cornedray]

Many thanks to the replies and advice received so far! It's much appreciated.

(wasn't sure if protocol is to answer all replies personally, but i hope this is appropriate)

Regards to all.

[bothwell_buyer]

I'd take a run in to St Albans but its a it out of my beaten track!!!

Planning on taking the beast back to Crail racetrack this Sunday to try a few other ways - I should really fit my short-shift gear stick but its still in the box!

[Mike0001]

I'd take a run in to St Albans but its a it out of my beaten track!!!

Planning on taking the beast back to Crail racetrack this Sunday to try a few other ways - I should really fit my short-shift gear stick but its still in the box!

For what it is worth, I have a 1998 Rav4 with 107,000 on the clock. Ever since the first timing belt change at 50,000 it has been sluggish and belches smoke at startup, though it burns no oil. This has persisted after the second timing belt change at 100,000.

[bothwell_buyer]

I'd take a run in to St Albans but its a it out of my beaten track!!!

Planning on taking the beast back to Crail racetrack this Sunday to try a few other ways - I should really fit my short-shift gear stick but its still in the box!

For what it is worth, I have a 1998 Rav4 with 107,000 on the clock. Ever since the first timing belt change at 50,000 it has been sluggish and belches smoke at startup, though it burns no oil. This has persisted after the second timing belt change at 100,000.

I'd try an engine tuning specialist shop, or a Jap car specialist to check the engine etc. If the timing was incorrect after the 1st belt change, the 2nd change may have just maintained the setting. 107,000 miles is not a lot for this engine, but if its only on start up, oil past the valve guides or the likes is maybe more likely. However it shouldn't be sluggish.