Rav 4 Low Idle And Differential Problems

[mrb338]

I've recently bought a 1995 Rav 4 5 door GX, with 94000 miles.

I bought it very cheaply and it needs an MOT soon so I knew I was taking a gamble.

So far I've noticed if I press down hard on the accelerator very suddenly there is a banging noise from the rear. I've been told this might be to do with the differential. When I'm driving normally it is not a problem.

Also, sometimes when I start it, it idles very low and then cuts out. When I try to start it after it doesn't start, but if I try again and then keep the revs up it starts and runs ok. Possible problems that have been suggested to me are an air lock, throttle body needs cleaned or problem with the idle control valve.

Does anyone have any ideas as to what could be wrong?

Also, I don't know an awful lot about car mechanics, so I'll be taking the car to a garage to get it fixed. Does anyone have any idea what sort of money I'm likely to spend getting the problems fixed?

If there is anything else anyone thinks I should know to watch for please let me know.

Cheers.

Michael

[anchorman]

Welcome to the club mate.

The noise from the diff is not uncommon and requires the renewal of the diff carrier bushes. There is a completely mad scot called bothwell buyer who knows this problem better than I do and if you wait until he he comes down off his roof he will elaborate. You may not understand what he says but you cannot opt out of that service.

With regard to the idling there can be a problem with dirt and carbon fouling the idle control valve or there are several other vacuum operated devices that can play games.

A good independant garage will charge you about £30 an hour inc VAT and I would have guessed at 1 hour for the bushes and a couple for the idling and in both cases plus parts. Be warned the idling problem can be very hard to find and it might take more time.

[bothwell_buyer]

I've recently bought a 1995 Rav 4 5 door GX, with 94000 miles.

I bought it very cheaply and it needs an MOT soon so I knew I was taking a gamble.

So far I've noticed if I press down hard on the accelerator very suddenly there is a banging noise from the rear. I've been told this might be to do with the differential. When I'm driving normally it is not a problem.

Also, sometimes when I start it, it idles very low and then cuts out. When I try to start it after it doesn't start, but if I try again and then keep the revs up it starts and runs ok. Possible problems that have been suggested to me are an air lock, throttle body needs cleaned or problem with the idle control valve.

Does anyone have any ideas as to what could be wrong?

Also, I don't know an awful lot about car mechanics, so I'll be taking the car to a garage to get it fixed. Does anyone have any idea what sort of money I'm likely to spend getting the problems fixed?

If there is anything else anyone thinks I should know to watch for please let me know.

Cheers.

Michael

Weel its ab raw morning up here in Glasgae - nae rain an looking back oer yesterday, a good day in clearing up the garden and driveway.

Ontae yer banging noise - its one or both of twa things - the rear diff is located by wan rubber bush. Ye can either decide tae replace it which is a waste o time; or ye pack the bush wi a gunk that stiffens that bush up - but ah canna remember the name o the gunk, so if ye phone Marc at The Garage in Motherwell and say big ian said tae phone him fur the name o the gunk ye use in the rear diff bush, he'll tell ye. 01698 265303. He might even sell ye some if he's tuned intae making a profit but he's like me an way too kind. The fix is just a few pounds.

This age of RAV wi that mileage also suggests that the rear suspension bushes may need done - if they are worn they'll fail an MOT. They last aboot 80k miles. Unfortunately, its a rear suspension drop down job to do it, but fur a mechanic whit kens his business - nae bother. Try a Jap specialist rather than a dealer.

On the idle problem its more likely to be the idle valve thing. Take the car tae an engine tuning specialist who can check the behaviour for £20. Tell him/her its £20 otherwise big ian will torch the place. The fix might cost a wee bit more, but theres plenty of 3SFE engines in scrappys fur ye tae buy secondhand rather than dealer new.

Let us/me ken whit ye find.

[mrb338]

Thanks for the help guys. Will take your advice into consideration.