Hi everyone.
I have a Rav 4 Giant, 1999 model 2.0ltr petrol automatic, When i bought it from the dealers 4 years ago they said they replaced the timing Chain, I have covered 25000 miles since, recently the exhaust front section had to be replaced at the main dealers, and now a slight rattle has developed.
The dealer says it is the timing chain which needs replacing along with tentioners. I am a little suspect as i thought timing chains lasted alot longer than this,
Any oppinions on this greatly appreciated, as they now want over £400.00 for this work.
Regards Geoff.

[quote name='Discovery1964' post='732143' date='Mar 14 2008, 10:55 PM']Hi everyone.
I have a Rav 4 Giant, 1999 model 2.0ltr petrol automatic, When i bought it from the dealers 4 years ago they said they replaced the timing Chain, I have covered 25000 miles since, recently the exhaust front section had to be replaced at the main dealers, and now a slight rattle has developed.
The dealer says it is the timing chain which needs replacing along with tentioners. I am a little suspect as i thought timing chains lasted alot longer than this,
Any oppinions on this greatly appreciated, as they now want over £400.00 for this work.
Regards Geoff.[/quote]
Its a good efening and welcome tae the forum.

Timing chain on a '99 model - anchorman can maybe confirm that. If it has a chain then it should last a lot lot longer than 20k miles.
From what little i know, the timing chain came on engines from 2001 onwards. before that was cam belts. If its a belt then ye - maybe it needs the belt changed or the tensioners done. I'd personally get it checked by an engine specialist rather than a dealer.

The RAV4 model from 1994 to 2000 has a timing belt NOT a timing Chain, the engine will be a 1998cc 3S-FE unit, my suggestion to you would be to ask at several dealerships or independents how much to change the timing belt, a rough guide Price would be £300 or less. Job has a book time of around 3 hours, so if your dealer charges £85.00 per hour plus the price of the rubber timing belt .

[quote name='bothwell_buyer' post='732171' date='Mar 15 2008, 01:59 AM'][quote name='Discovery1964' post='732143' date='Mar 14 2008, 10:55 PM']Hi everyone.
I have a Rav 4 Giant, 1999 model 2.0ltr petrol automatic, When i bought it from the dealers 4 years ago they said they replaced the timing Chain, I have covered 25000 miles since, recently the exhaust front section had to be replaced at the main dealers, and now a slight rattle has developed.
The dealer says it is the timing chain which needs replacing along with tentioners. I am a little suspect as i thought timing chains lasted alot longer than this,
Any oppinions on this greatly appreciated, as they now want over £400.00 for this work.
Regards Geoff.[/quote]
Its a good efening and welcome tae the forum.

Timing chain on a '99 model - anchorman can maybe confirm that. If it has a chain then it should last a lot lot longer than 20k miles.
From what little i know, the timing chain came on engines from 2001 onwards. before that was cam belts. If its a belt then ye - maybe it needs the belt changed or the tensioners done. I'd personally get it checked by an engine specialist rather than a dealer.
[/quote]

Rav Mk1 is a belt due 5yrs 60k miles (as far as i remember)

I can tell you that the 2.0VVTi is a chain - you need to be more specific about the engine type or post us some photos if you are not sure. Where abouts in Derbyshire are you? If not too far you can call by and let me listen.

Cheers

If its a 99 Giant its a Mk 1 not a VVTi

2.3 hrs to replace without aircon
2.7 with

Are you sure its not just the heat sheild on the exhaust rattling, A common problem the broke away from the weld a rattled

Rare for a tensioner on the timing belt to rattle

Did you get the mountain bike that came with them from new ?

The GIANT was a limited addition RAV4.1 with the 3S-FE engine fitted.

Hi everyone, many thanks for all the excellent information and helpfull replies, it turns out i have the 1998 3S-FE engine which it turns out is the cam belt after all. It seems the dealer has not got a clue! but my question is how can a cam belt rattle as they state? I am going to have a good look around the engine bay tomorrow as the exhaust shroud sounds more likely than the belt to rattle ( especially as the front exhaust section was swapped not so long ago).
I will report back with my findings, many thanks Geoff.

Some belts can rattle if they need tensioning. It is imprortant to understand that it is the belt and how tight it should be as too much tension can be more harmful. See what you think after listening around the engine.

If i remember right there was a spring to replace when doing the timing belt, didnt cost much but only dealers fitted them as it wasn't worth leaving the old one on when doing the job