Experts! A challenge for you!

baldzone · 10 Mar 2013 at 07:33

Hello to all you experts out there!

I have a little problem with my 2007 RAV4 2.2 D4D. I've tried the google and found little help!

At around a constant speed of 60 mph and above, there is a vibration in the car which is probably best described as mild turbulence. The passenger seat shakes/vibrates and I can feel it through my seat. If I put the clutch in, perfectly smooth, same as decelerating in gear. Same with 4th, 5th and 6th gears at 60mph. When accelerating, the problem eases off.

Recently, I have serviced the car including fuel filter and cleaning the EGR valve, but was running fine for several weeks before this started.

The car has only done 48,000 miles.

Any suggestions before I throw money at it? This is the first car I've had with a DMF and am a bit concerned this is on it's way out

Dave L · 10 Mar 2013 at 07:46

If the problems eases with acceleration and deceleration it does usually point towards a sloppy DMF. RAV4 diesels are known for it.

I would, however, make sure all propshaft universal joints are checked beforehand.

Be warned, the last time I got involved with a RAV4 DMF, it was a dealer-only part ££££

baldzone · 10 Mar 2013 at 10:18

Oh joy! I was afraid of that!

Will check the joints first.

No having been involved with these DMF horrible things before, how much of a DIY job are they to replace?

Orionaut · 10 Mar 2013 at 10:39

baldzone said:
Oh joy! I was afraid of that!

No having been involved with these DMF horrible things before, how much of a DIY job are they to replace?

Given that Clutch/Flywheel replacement for the RAV-4 is reckoned to be 9Hr workshop time (According to Autodata), probably a bit of a Bear!

baldzone · 10 Mar 2013 at 11:00

I get the feeling this may be the best part of a £2k job??

I only hope they offer a warranty on their workmanship and parts!

Berger · 10 Mar 2013 at 11:01

Although it doesn't sound like it, I would probably get the wheels balanced just to rule that out. Cheap and quick to do, before you start panicking its an expensive problem.

baldzone · 10 Mar 2013 at 11:12

If the wheels are out of balance, would it not still shake/shudder with the clutch in at speed?

Mr-White · 10 Mar 2013 at 12:05

Have a read here

I read it cost one guy £1800

MW

Orionaut · 10 Mar 2013 at 12:17

Oh, and another thing. Some companies claim to offer solid flywheel conversions.

Don't do it!

breadturbo · 10 Mar 2013 at 14:38

blip ignore

baldzone · 10 Mar 2013 at 14:50

Looking into it, it is looking more like a DMF, although going to play with the drive shafts and prop shafts tomorrow morning.

Cars, just like women. Great when they're behaving themselves....

Dave L · 10 Mar 2013 at 17:04

I think it cost my brother-in-law £1600 for the DMF alone.

Couple of years later the turbo gave up.

baldzone · 11 Mar 2013 at 10:12

I've had a little play with it now and this morning had all 4 wheels balanced. There is little change but I'm pretty sure it's road speed related now Around 60mph it starts vibrating, at 65 it's at it's worst. The passenger seat shakes-a lot!. If I accelerate through it, the vibrations all but stop.

Any further suggestions? Driveshaft? UJ? Bushes worn?

baldzone · 17 Mar 2013 at 10:51

Turns out it's a driveshaft (or UJ) worn. Bit of a relief.

SB118 · 17 Mar 2013 at 22:38

Dodged a bullet there.