To Rebuild or Exchange an RAV4 Engine?

Ljohnmw1 on 04/08/2024 - 15:07
Last edited 04/08/2024 - 19:22 by 1 other user

Hi, our Rav 4 expired very unexpectedly on the way to work the other day.

Called the RAA (Adelaide) who checked all the vital fluid levels etc which were all ok. His thoughts were that the motor had seized, so then got tow truck to get the Rav home. Got a mobile mechanic to have a more detailed look at it, and he tried a few different things, but he came to the same conclusion that the engine had seized for some unknown reason.

The Rav only has 180k on the clock and is a 2003 model which we have owned since new, so it owes us nothing, and has always been serviced and well maintained, and until now has never missed a beat.

We had just decided to donate it to the daughter for her to get her L plates to learn to drive in it.

Long story short is, what to do with it now, rebuild the existing motor, or go for an exchange motor and take the chance with its unknown history.

Cheers, John

Automotive Car SUV Toyota

Comments

  • Muzeeb on 04/08/2024 - 15:20
    +9

    Exchange is generally cheaper but as you say can be a bit of a gamble. A reputable exchange place will offer a warranty.

    A rebuild could open a whole can of worms and get more expensive as they find additional problems along the way, especially if you adopt a "while you're in there" approach.

    As it's 21 years old I would just flog of the car to the highest offer on marketplace as a non runner, as is, where is and move on. At that age additional problems are due like suspension, steering etc problems. Plastic components like fuel tanks and other engine bay components are approaching the end of their usable life as well.

    • johnmw1 on 04/08/2024 - 15:27

      You raise some good points, probably a couple I have not even considered.

      So have exchange motors been rebuilt, or have they just been extracted from wrecks etc?

      • Muzeeb on 04/08/2024 - 16:41
        +1

        Could be either but mostly just extracted from low mileage wrecks.

        There will be a huge difference in price between a second hand exchange and a rebuilt exchange engine.

        Neither will likely include the transmission so factor in you may have a fresh motor but then a 180k km transmission.

        • johnmw1 on 04/08/2024 - 16:58

          More good points to consider, so thanks again.

        • CheapandUsed on 05/08/2024 - 13:38

          A recent episode of mighty car mods when they tried to replace an old RAV4 engine with one from the wreckers, the replacement was also a non-runner and they had to get a second one.

          I would struggle to justify wasting thousands on old engines just taking a wreckers 'word for it' and would only go with a place offering a useable warranty or guarantee.

    • HeWhoKnows on 05/08/2024 - 11:01
      -1

      Agreed

      Regardless of what engine OP chooses…the car is now over 20 years old.
      So not worth much at all.
      Other things will start to fail as well at this age.

      Time to move on

      But strange how it suddenly failed
      Unless OP didn't keep up the regular oil changes or just consumed too much oil before being checked or head gasket blew for some reason

      • pharkurnell on 15/08/2024 - 17:08

        So not worth much at all.

        Go look what used cars are selling for (running not seized!).. its insanity out there… still.

    • Maccadoodle on 05/08/2024 - 11:21

      Is it possible to buy a new engine and fit it in this year car? Like how far past 2003 would engines still fit? Asking for when my as new 2004 Mazda 3 sedan finally turns turtle.

      • Euphemistic on 05/08/2024 - 11:41
        +1

        It all depends onbthw model run. Quite often the engine block will continue through several models and be used across the same brand in different models, but the bits that stick onto it will be updated for improvements. New heads, different intake or exhaust. Additional emission stuff, different AC or alternator mounts. Eg a RAV4 uses a camry engne. A mazda 3 engine is also found in mazda 6 and cx5 etc.

        If you know what you are doing its usully straifht forward to exchange an engine from within the same family by swapping over the ancillaries. BUT, its often not as simple as it seems because one little thing is different enough to be a problem. Ideally you want someone to have done the swap before so you know what headaches there are ahead of time. Brand specific forums were brilliant for that knowledge but alas, Facebook has killed many of those forums.

        • Muzeeb on 05/08/2024 - 14:16
          +1

          This and more often than not you'll need the matching ECU, BCM etc to even get the replacement engine to start. Can be an absolute electrical nightmare

        • Maccadoodle on 15/08/2024 - 07:45

          Cheers for that info. Yes it seems a path to be tread carefully. Plenty of research & a good honest knowledgeable mechanic if they exist.

  • brendanm on 04/08/2024 - 16:56
    +6

    Don't do either, get an engine from the wreckers, will be cheap as chips, and most rav 4s don't randomly seize.

    I would get a 3rd proper opinion though, figuring out if an engine is seized or not is pretty simple, but I've seen people say they are seized, when it has only been a starter motor stuck out against the flywheel for example.

    • johnmw1 on 04/08/2024 - 17:01

      Oddly enough, when the RAA got to us, that was his first thought that the starter might have jammed up the works.

  • Nugs on 04/08/2024 - 17:00
    +1

    I'll give you $420
    .

    • JimmyF on 04/08/2024 - 17:39
      +1

      I'll raise to $420.69

  • Jaduqimon on 04/08/2024 - 17:13
    +8

    Toyota engine seized with all fluid level ok and serviced properly???

    If the above are true then I bet against the RAA and the mechanic… Get a 3rd opinion.

    • johnmw1 on 05/08/2024 - 07:40

      Yes, I will be doing that for sure.

  • Euphemistic on 04/08/2024 - 19:10
    +4

    Wrecker engine. Make sure they offer some sort of warranty - only needs to be a couple of months and a few thousand kms. Basically enough to test drive it.

    Mighty car mods just put a turbo on a rav4. It blew up and they had a replacement engine for cheap within a few days. I think they mentioned around 900 for a replacement engine.

    https://youtu.be/DFuyiigk4lM?si=xKL-l3Wkkn4bUQsj

    • chartparker on 04/08/2024 - 20:45
      +3

      Worth mentioning the replacement engine for it was cheap because they ended up using a Camry donor, as the Rav 4 donors were harder to find and their original replacement engine had been neglected badly.

      That said, you should still turbo it and send it

    • johnmw1 on 05/08/2024 - 08:05

      Good video, and remember to always change your oil.

  • Oofy Doofy on 04/08/2024 - 20:09
    +3

    only had 180k on the clock but it's from 2003… entropy has done it's thing in that time.

    • johnmw1 on 05/08/2024 - 08:06
      +2

      I think I have entropy.

      • Oofy Doofy on 05/08/2024 - 11:29

        I feel you, bro.

  • phbk on 04/08/2024 - 21:04
    +2

    My 2001 RAV4 died on the weekend too. It's got 124k on the clock, been in the family since new. It lost all drive when taking off from the lights so I assume the clutch has gone. I could feel it slightly slipping under hard acceleration for the last few weeks.

    So by the time I get a new clutch, new brakes all around, 4 new tires and a wheel alignment, shocks are shot, sunroof has a crack and the clear coat has failed I think it's time to move on and let it be recycled into something more useful.

    Pity, it was a fun car to drive and I'll miss it.

    • mapax on 04/08/2024 - 21:34

      If that was mine I’d spend a couple of weekends fixing most of it up and get another decade out of it.

      • phbk on 04/08/2024 - 21:47
        +5

        I'd be lucky if I have another decade left in me.

        • magic8ballgag on 05/08/2024 - 07:53
          +1

          Spend a couple of weekends fixing yourself up first then, and then work on the RAV.

    • johnmw1 on 05/08/2024 - 08:10

      Same with ours, it's still in mint condition, so I'm very loathe to move it on. Has always been kept undercover, serviced as required etc and up until last week never had any issues at all.

  • cloudy on 05/08/2024 - 07:43

    What’s with these RAV4s dying after 100kish… thought Toyotas are just breaking in, and got another 300k left in them :s

    • magic8ballgag on 05/08/2024 - 07:55

      Lack of regular maintenance or just unlucky.

      I've owned a RAV4 from this generation and the engines are pretty reliable, and it was the least demanding car (in terms of servicing).

      • johnmw1 on 05/08/2024 - 08:17

        For us, we had no hint of what was about to happen to it, and certainly not at 3.30am on the way to work.Had to get the police to come and help push it off the road to a more safe parking zone.

    • johnmw1 on 05/08/2024 - 08:13

      I read somewhere else that apparently this is something common with older Rav 4's of which Toyota are aware of, but certainly don't admit to it publicly.

      • magic8ballgag on 05/08/2024 - 08:18
        +1

        The engines are known to burn oil, but that's about it. At the end of the day it's a 21 year old car and should be treated as such.

  • 82norm on 05/08/2024 - 07:45

    Time to get another car.

    • johnmw1 on 05/08/2024 - 08:18

      No, too good to just turn over to someone else to make money from it.

  • dave buckingham on 05/08/2024 - 07:59

    TOYOTA BUILT THE MOTOR!! SEE IF YOU CAN GET A MOTOR FROM A WRECKING YARD RING AROUND!!

    • johnmw1 on 05/08/2024 - 08:19
      +2

      I'm going to call Toyota this morning to see if they have any suggestions, as they were the ones who last serviced it.

      • TheGreatBab on 13/08/2024 - 20:18
        +1

        Just curious, how did you go with calling them ? What was their response?

  • 2esc on 05/08/2024 - 09:19

    Personally not into this constantly updating cars but in this case sell it. If you really want to keep rebuild or get a rebuilt motor dont try to get a low mileage one.

    • Oofy Doofy on 14/08/2024 - 21:48
      +2

      Who truly knows how to rebuild engines these days? How many people do it regularly? How much are they charging for this? Not worth the risk. A working engine out of another vehicle is a better option.

  • brad1-8tsi on 05/08/2024 - 15:46
    +2

    Can you DIY or will you be paying a workshop $120+/hour to do the work?

    Don't forget that as well as an engine you will need oil, both filters, coolant, accessory belts, spark plugs and probably a few other things

    • Nugs on 15/08/2024 - 06:45
      +2

      My daughters Forester recently required engine replacement (big end bearing).
      Wrecker 'short' engine, self pulled $320.
      Bits and pieces, gaskets, fluids, clutch kit etc $1300
      .

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