Uncle Bob

Using a breaker bar and a short socket the tensioner can be slackened but as said...it has a very very strong spring and took all my efforts when I replace my Rav4 belt 😳😳 .

As the belt has broken, now is a good time to spine the other pulley’s to see if any have seized up causing the snapped belt. The belt could have just broken through age but that is unlikely. The engine is chain driven not belt driven . The serpentine belt goes around , water pump, power steering pump,alternator and idler...they all need to be checked that they spin freely.

Had a few Lexus models over that last few years and enjoyed them but the draw back to 3 door Rav4 became stronger this year, and have purchased the last of the line Oct 2005 XT-R in an automatic. First time owning a black vehicle ..lucky I like cleaning and polishing 😎

This is the toyota genuine item, I feel mine is a little stronger :) .

The secret to making your own parcel shelf is to have a good template, I spent some time cutting and re-cutting a carboard one , untill I was happy it was a good fit all round. This I then transferred onto the timber, cut round it with a jigsaw and test fitted in position 3 or 4 time, just to check and trim any areas not 100 %. This was the basic timber cut to shape.... Then it was covered in 2oz wadding, followed by Jersey material in fleck grey, luck on the colour, it was the only choice in the shop ! With much stretching and stapling the shelf was covered, then out to the Rav

Hi Red as you've clearly seen, yes I've made up a parcel shelf, I was looking to buy one of EBay but lost out on that, then I looked up on Toyota's technical site how the shelf is fitted, and though , I could make my own :)

Guess what? Took it to the dealership for a diagnostic... Ignition coil 4. Replaced the coil and it runs better than it has since she purchased it. Moral of the story, if your car has a mystery problem like this take it in for a dealership diagnostic. So maybe it could have been cheaper in the long run, and a faster diagnosis, to have used the dealership in the first place.....hey we all live and learn :)

Hello Red, thank you for the positive comments, my last car was a Lexus Is 300 and belong to the LEXUS OWNERS CLUB. Now I'm back in the fold of Toyota's and the RAV4, I'm happy to spend time on the TOYOTA OWNERS CLUB, the new RAV4 DRIVERS CLUB,and the not so new RAV4WORLD :) We are all free to join all the clubs, as there is space for all of us in internet land . I hope to continue to post progress of my Rav4 without restriction over the coming months :).

Sounds like you have covered most items, not sure what I can add....although just a though ,check all the earthing points, ones to the ECU, engine block, chassis, sometimes faults can be as basic as that. Also, of all the jobs you have done, have you ever checked the compression of the pistons ? Maybe if your problems is not electrical, you could have a sticky engine valve or lifter ?

The early Rav4.1 VX had a strut brace highlighted in red in the engine bay, I've always liked that so decided to replicate that with my 4.2, fair bit bit of work getting it out....involves, wipers off, plastic windscreen panel, wiper motor and linkage , water channel etc, anyway after a few coats of toyota super red paint, I'm pleased with the effect, not to everyone's taste...but I'm easy pleased :) Also had a tinker with cam cover polishing, rather hard work by hand , does look a little brighter but now needs to be kept up, or is just dulls over.

Nice write-up .....so what's the sound like now ? :)

Have replaced the rear shock absorbers, KYB was my choice, they have a good reputation and fair on price.

There is a wide spectrum of discoloured headlamps from different manufactures, French and German cars seem to suffer badly, on the other hand the Rav4 2001-2005, seems to suffer yellowing just along the top edge, my car was just the same, 10 years old and starting to go yellow. This was the product that done it for me, it's more of a motor trade item, used in bodyshops, it's very gritty, but the more you rub it in, it gets finer just don't let it dry out on the cloth. . I done my headlamps with it a few months back, and can just see the yellow returning, it is an ongoing problem, short of

Yes I also lost the plot with a 2004 Rav4 CVT :(

Ok a few pointers for replacing the battery standard or otherwise, first....off with the windscreen/ battery plastic small cover, then the push in clips in the larger plastic pop up with the aid of a small screwdriver, they ( should) stay in the plastic panel,as you lift it up. Now as in the photo above, you can see the battery and it's clamp, loosen the two 10mm nuts on the long threaded rods, not all the way off just 5-10mm, look down the rod and see the hook at the bottom, then wiggle it out of its slot. Clamp now removed, two 10 mm bolts to loosen on the battery terminals and remove black