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Toyota RAV4 pre-2006

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#1742 of 2123 Re: problems with 2002 toyota rav4 [cindyc] by scoti1 Jan 31, 2005 (12:17 pm)
Replying to: cindyc (Jan 29, 2005 6:01 pm) Cindyc, Can you describe the "mud"? Is it the color of a chocolate milkshake (such as when water or coolant mixes with oil) or more dark brown, almost black and tarry looking?   The others are right in that the Toyota engine sludge campaign was limited to certain models and years and does not include the Rav-4. If you maintained your engine according to Toyota specifications and developed sludge, then you could have recourse through the new car drive train warranty, if still in effect. Toyota has placed inserts in some vehicles stating specifically that the warranty will not cover sludge. If that is the case, and again, if you maintained your car according to Toyota's specifications, then the next step would be lawsuit or arbitration.
#1743 of 2123 rav 4 problems by cindyc Jan 31, 2005 (1:14 pm)
We did get the oil changed on a regular basis, and this family has been going to the same mechanic for over 20 years. the car had about 45,000 miles on it. Most of the miles were put on it in the first year, but the last year and a half, we didn't drive it as much. we have 4 oil change receipts for 2004, the last one was in october, and I had a baby on october 20, so we really haven't driven a lot at all since then. By what little the dealership is saying, we are guessing the car needs a new engine. we don't know what we are going to do, it seems unacceptable that a car we bought new and had oil changes regularly in would die like this. Replies to this message: mcdawgg (Feb 01, 2005 5:12 am) scoti1 (Feb 01, 2005 6:57 am) cindyc (Feb 01, 2005 7:20 pm) and 1 more...
#1744 of 2123 av 4 problems by cindyc by pilot130 Jan 31, 2005 (2:04 pm)
For what it's worth Scoti1, I think it's a bit premature to speculate at any length about what little is known so far. As I understand it, the first mechanic said oil was like "mud", which can mean many things. The car "stalled out", which can also mean a bunch of possibilities. Now the vehicle is at the dealer being diagnosed, and the owner apparently hasn't yet received any info as to cause, effect, or repair cost. Speculating about the color of the "mud", or dispensing advice about sludge at this juncture, might raise unwarranted concerns. I would like more info, especially what the dealer has to say, before raising any flags. I have some ideas about what might be involved with this problem, but without more details it might unduly confuse things. These people are (justifiably) worried, and I think it's unwise to create additional concerns at this point.
#1745 of 2123 Re: rav 4 problems [cindyc] by mcdawgg Feb 01, 2005 (5:12 am)
Replying to: cindyc (Jan 31, 2005 1:14 pm) By the way, this would still be under warranty - 5 years/60,000 miles. So you should have nothing to worry about, as long as the proper maintenance was done. But we are all curious... Replies to this message: scoti1 (Feb 01, 2005 6:57 am) cindyc (Feb 01, 2005 7:20 pm) cindyc (Feb 02, 2005 11:31 am)
#1746 of 2123 Re: rav 4 problems [mcdawgg] by scoti1 Feb 01, 2005 (6:57 am)
Replying to: mcdawgg (Feb 01, 2005 5:12 am) mcdawgg, I would hope it wouldn't be an issue, except for that nasty notice Toyota places in the owners manuals about not covering sludge under warranty. If it isn't sludge, and the engine has been maintained properly, then yes, the warranty should take care of it. My recommendation is to take it to the dealer, cindyc, with all of your backup maintenance information in hand.   Also, cindyc, I am still interested in the appearance and consistency of the mud if you have that information. Replies to this message: cindyc (Feb 01, 2005 7:20 pm) cindyc (Feb 02, 2005 11:31 am)
#1747 of 2123 Re: rav 4 problems [scoti1] by cindyc Feb 01, 2005 (7:20 pm)
Replying to: scoti1 (Feb 01, 2005 6:57 am) Unfortunately the car is over an hour away from us. We were driving home from my mothers when it broke down, and even though we have AAAplus, they would only tow it 10 miles because of all the snow we had. The mechanic we had it towed to first couldn't figure out what was wrong with it, so we towed it to the dealer where it has sat for over a week. we faxed all the oil change receipts to them, but they are saying they are useless because the mechanic we take it to didn't write the mileage or vin# on the receipt. My husbands family has been going to this mechanic for over 20 years, so I don't think he did anything shady like not really changing the oil. our warranty is for 75,000 miles 72 months, we are under both. We have a newborn baby, and my Honda was stolen less than 2 weeks before the Rav broke down. We are both working and taking care of a newborn with 1 rental car and can't really get down there until we have some info to go on. Toyota has said they will call us every day, but don't. We end up calling them, they say they will call us back, but don't. No matter what happens, we are getting rid of that car when we get it back. I just pray they do the right thing. Replies to this message: cindyc (Feb 02, 2005 11:31 am)
#1748 of 2123 Re: rav 4 problems [cindyc] by cindyc Feb 02, 2005 (11:31 am)
Replying to: cindyc (Feb 01, 2005 7:20 pm) so, surprise, toyota never called us back, so we called them again only to find out that toyota will not cover it, and the car needs a new engine. it will only cost $8,000 for a new one, and $6,000 for a used one, seems reasonable for a $20,000 car. it makes me feel sick...tell me, other than regular oil changes, what other maintenence should we have had done on a car with 45,000 miles that if we didn't have it done, it would destroy the engine?
#1749 of 2123 by 719b Feb 02, 2005 (12:15 pm)
doesn't toyota have a 60,000 mile drive train warranty? seems if you have the receipts for all your oil changes, they have to cover it Replies to this message: cindyc (Feb 02, 2005 4:24 pm) mcdawgg (Feb 03, 2005 5:31 am)
#1750 of 2123 Re: [719b] by cindyc Feb 02, 2005 (4:24 pm)
Replying to: 719b (Feb 02, 2005 12:15 pm) well, the mechanic we take it to, that my husbands family has gone too for over 20 years, did not put the mileage or vin# on the receipt, in addition to this the dealer is saying that since some other things were not done (his example was not all spark plugs had been replaced) this might be an example of lack of maintenance. But when my husband asked if any of the "other things" might be related to the engine problems, the dealer said no. We're taking it up the corporate ladder now, because we did get the oil changed regularly, which they are saying is the main cause of the problems. We are also going back to our mechanic who hopefully has better info on his receipts than what he originally gave us. Replies to this message: mcdawgg (Feb 03, 2005 5:31 am)
#1751 of 2123 Re: [cindyc] by mcdawgg Feb 03, 2005 (5:31 am)
Replying to: cindyc (Feb 02, 2005 4:24 pm) Not having the mileage on the oil change receipts?!?!? I think you can kiss the money goodbye. You have to have decent proof of oil changes, no matter who does it, and that includes the basic info like miles AND date of oil changes. Your mechanic may be good, but I am a little skeptical of someone who does not record this information. I have a hard time blaming Toyota with anything related to sludge just because no one can provide real proof, and also because of the two guys I talked to who work at a large dealer. Just my opinion.   By the way, the spark plugs on 2001 thru current Ravs do not require (per the manual) spark plug changes until at least 80,000 miles, so that dealer is full of it. Although I would change them sooner, but that's me.   Seriously, I wish you the best of luck. Also, congrats on the new baby.

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