Buying 09 Rav4 Sport V6
- Thread starter onemig
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Originally Posted By: onemig
Not a typo. From what I know, the engine has to be lowered beneath the vehicle enough so as to have access to the water pump.
Hmmmm, don't know about this. then again, not expecting to do the water pump until at least 150,000 km (90K miles)
It is pretty tight around the front((?) driver's side of right hand drive)but dropping the motor sounds painful just for a w/pump.
I'd have to have a good look / explore before I started unbolting the block.....
Not a typo. From what I know, the engine has to be lowered beneath the vehicle enough so as to have access to the water pump.
Hmmmm, don't know about this. then again, not expecting to do the water pump until at least 150,000 km (90K miles)
It is pretty tight around the front((?) driver's side of right hand drive)but dropping the motor sounds painful just for a w/pump.
I'd have to have a good look / explore before I started unbolting the block.....
Seems a bit high, but considering mileage and that sweet V6, it might be worth looking at. I have the same 2gr-fe engine in my Camry and that thing HAULS. Not sure a Camry (or Rav4) needs this much power, but this thing is a major stoplight sleeper.
Believe it or not, but you had to lower the engine in some 3.3/3.8L Mopar minivans to change the water pump. It's not unprecedented.
Originally Posted By: ricky66
I'd have to have a good look / explore before I started unbolting the block.....
You can usually loosen one or two of the engine mounts (with a jack under the oil pan) and let the engine rotate down. It sounds much more involved than it really is in practice.
I'd have to have a good look / explore before I started unbolting the block.....
You can usually loosen one or two of the engine mounts (with a jack under the oil pan) and let the engine rotate down. It sounds much more involved than it really is in practice.
Somebody beat me to it. I found another one, a 2012 this time with 23,000 miles for roughly the same price. It should still have warranty being a 2012.
Only thing I am concerned with this one is that it has had 2 owners. Owner 1 had it for 7 months and owner 2 had it for nine months. Checked the free Carfax report that came with it and it shows that it was serviced every 5k miles and none from what I can tell were warranty work. We will see.
Only thing I am concerned with this one is that it has had 2 owners. Owner 1 had it for 7 months and owner 2 had it for nine months. Checked the free Carfax report that came with it and it shows that it was serviced every 5k miles and none from what I can tell were warranty work. We will see.
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Believe it or not, but you had to lower the engine in some 3.3/3.8L Mopar minivans to change the water pump. It's not unprecedented.
Your exactly right....and it DOES sound more involved than it actually is. It's two quick bolts that are generally accessible and the pump is accessed from the wheel well. Rather easy......as long as the water pump bolts don't break off on you but that's another story.
Believe it or not, but you had to lower the engine in some 3.3/3.8L Mopar minivans to change the water pump. It's not unprecedented.
Your exactly right....and it DOES sound more involved than it actually is. It's two quick bolts that are generally accessible and the pump is accessed from the wheel well. Rather easy......as long as the water pump bolts don't break off on you but that's another story.
Unrelated story, but I had to remove two engine mounts to change the HVAC fan mower in my '97 Cadillac. It was accessed from the engine compartment, which made the job actually kind of pleasant. You literally cut open the plastic shroud and removed the fan, reinstalled it, then sealed the hole with a cover and RTV. Or something very similar.
Anyway, there wasn't QUITE enough room to remove the fan motor housing between the firewall and the rear cylinder bank. So I removed both front dog bone engine mounts and used a small come-along to pull the engine forward. I needed less than an inch. 'Twas pretty straight-forward after that.
Back to your regularly-scheduled RAV4 discussion...
Anyway, there wasn't QUITE enough room to remove the fan motor housing between the firewall and the rear cylinder bank. So I removed both front dog bone engine mounts and used a small come-along to pull the engine forward. I needed less than an inch. 'Twas pretty straight-forward after that.
Back to your regularly-scheduled RAV4 discussion...
Originally Posted By: RN89
Seems a bit high, but considering mileage and that sweet V6, it might be worth looking at. I have the same 2gr-fe engine in my Camry and that thing HAULS. Not sure a Camry (or Rav4) needs this much power, but this thing is a major stoplight sleeper.
Yeah, the 2GR-FE is a gem. It's a shame it wasn't put in a sports car that was more attainable (lower priced) than the Lotus Evora.
The engine feels very eager to rev, unfortunately the rest of the car doesn't much care for it. But at least it's still happy to loaf along and lazy speeds with more than adequate torque.
Seems a bit high, but considering mileage and that sweet V6, it might be worth looking at. I have the same 2gr-fe engine in my Camry and that thing HAULS. Not sure a Camry (or Rav4) needs this much power, but this thing is a major stoplight sleeper.
Yeah, the 2GR-FE is a gem. It's a shame it wasn't put in a sports car that was more attainable (lower priced) than the Lotus Evora.
The engine feels very eager to rev, unfortunately the rest of the car doesn't much care for it. But at least it's still happy to loaf along and lazy speeds with more than adequate torque.
Originally Posted By: ricky66
onemig said:Hmmmm, don't know about this. then again, not expecting to do the water pump until at least 150,000 km (90K miles)
You obviously don't know about the RAV4 V6 water pump problems of 2007+ vintage:
http://www.rav4world.com/forums/96-4-3-general/93184-rav4-v6-water-pump.html
Rant: I don't understand how people put certain brands on a pedestal, oblivious that their beloved brand also has a few stinkers. Rant over!
Honestly, though, it's tough to tell how widespread this problem is/was:
http://www.rav4world.com/forums/99-4-3-mechanical/79701-poll-water-pump-failure.html ........................
" I've officially joined the water pump failure/leak club. 2008 Rav4 V6 with 46k miles. What a bummer. This thing has been such a POS for mechanical engine issues. Lost the alternator at about 30k miles, it has the VVTi start up rattle from time to time, and now this."
I don't think there's a single car on the planet that has ever been built that doesn't eat water pumps at a somewhat regular interval.
I believe the primary, and extremely valid complaint, is that some vehicles Toyota put that engine in require the engine to be removed from the car to change the water pump. THAT is ridiculous.
I believe the primary, and extremely valid complaint, is that some vehicles Toyota put that engine in require the engine to be removed from the car to change the water pump. THAT is ridiculous.
The water pump is leaking on my moms 4 banger Rav4 as well.
That is an excellent buy but work on them for an even lower price. Look at the internet for pricing for others like that one, not what people think they know here. The V-6 is so smooth and powerful yet still gets admirable mileage. There is a workaround on the water pump for the V-6 and it does not need an engine removal. There are several TSB's and a few recalls so make sure they are done. Once you drive the V-6 you are HOOKED!
We have two '08 V-6 models. One has been the typical Toyota, mine has been a problem child. In spite of that I still recommend you go for it.
We have two '08 V-6 models. One has been the typical Toyota, mine has been a problem child. In spite of that I still recommend you go for it.
RTexasF,
Were you talking about the 2009 or the 2012?
The 09 Sport V6 has already been taken and the 2012 Sport V6 with 23k miles has been offered to me for $22k out the door. They did not budge with the price so we will think about that one.
Meanwhile, I saw another 2012, but a base V6 with 31k miles which seems to have tow prep. They offered it to us for $20k out the door. I still have not asked if they could go lower. Both still have warranty.
Were you talking about the 2009 or the 2012?
The 09 Sport V6 has already been taken and the 2012 Sport V6 with 23k miles has been offered to me for $22k out the door. They did not budge with the price so we will think about that one.
Meanwhile, I saw another 2012, but a base V6 with 31k miles which seems to have tow prep. They offered it to us for $20k out the door. I still have not asked if they could go lower. Both still have warranty.
Originally Posted By: Mykl
I don't think there's a single car on the planet that has ever been built that doesn't eat water pumps at a somewhat regular interval.
Seems like a reason to not hate timing belts...
Quote:
I believe the primary, and extremely valid complaint, is that some vehicles Toyota put that engine in require the engine to be removed from the car to change the water pump. THAT is ridiculous.
I agree, and it's part of the reason why I didn't go with a V6 RAV4. Few other reasons too, but, I don't need a design that is so cramped for space that step one on routine maintance is "remove engine."
I don't think there's a single car on the planet that has ever been built that doesn't eat water pumps at a somewhat regular interval.
Seems like a reason to not hate timing belts...
Quote:
I believe the primary, and extremely valid complaint, is that some vehicles Toyota put that engine in require the engine to be removed from the car to change the water pump. THAT is ridiculous.
I agree, and it's part of the reason why I didn't go with a V6 RAV4. Few other reasons too, but, I don't need a design that is so cramped for space that step one on routine maintance is "remove engine."
The internet buzz indicates that there were unusual water pump problems around 2007 +/- and people were complaining of having to replace them at 30,000 to 60,0000 +/-. That is NOT normal. There are even hints of some wanting to start a class action.
It's just something a person looking at used cars should be aware of. Not unlike the Honda VCM problems, Subaru's engine problems, the Pentastar problem..............
It's just something a person looking at used cars should be aware of. Not unlike the Honda VCM problems, Subaru's engine problems, the Pentastar problem..............
Originally Posted By: onemig
the 2012 Sport V6 with 23k miles has been offered to me for $22k out the door....
They offered it to us for $20k out the door.....
I don't mean to bust your chops over this, but you should be offering them a certain figure out the door, not the other way around.
the 2012 Sport V6 with 23k miles has been offered to me for $22k out the door....
They offered it to us for $20k out the door.....
I don't mean to bust your chops over this, but you should be offering them a certain figure out the door, not the other way around.
Originally Posted By: supton
Seems like a reason to not hate timing belts...
Well yeah... my hatred of timing belts runs pretty deep. But now we have a pretty reliable alternative. Unfortunately the alternative water pump that never needs to be replaced hasn't made it to market yet.
But at least in some cases, like my GTI, the water pump trivially easy to replace (which is good because I hear they fail often). It's a little frustrating that I'm going to have to deal with Toyota's misstep at some point, but if the car remains reliable otherwise I'll live with it.
....and I've done some further research... apparently there is a way to change out the water pump in these vehicles without removing the engine. It's more of a pain than the average car, but it can be done. I would be surprised if there were many Toyota service departments still going so far.
Seems like a reason to not hate timing belts...
Well yeah... my hatred of timing belts runs pretty deep. But now we have a pretty reliable alternative. Unfortunately the alternative water pump that never needs to be replaced hasn't made it to market yet.
But at least in some cases, like my GTI, the water pump trivially easy to replace (which is good because I hear they fail often). It's a little frustrating that I'm going to have to deal with Toyota's misstep at some point, but if the car remains reliable otherwise I'll live with it.
....and I've done some further research... apparently there is a way to change out the water pump in these vehicles without removing the engine. It's more of a pain than the average car, but it can be done. I would be surprised if there were many Toyota service departments still going so far.
Hokiefyd,
I ask for their OTD door price before I give them my counter offer. I usually ask if they're able to lower their OTD price but most of them don't budge. If they are really willing to lower their price, they should have emailed me sometime after I told them "I'll think about it".
I ask for their OTD door price before I give them my counter offer. I usually ask if they're able to lower their OTD price but most of them don't budge. If they are really willing to lower their price, they should have emailed me sometime after I told them "I'll think about it".
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