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Racer 51
User
Nov 16, 2012, 6:30 PM
Post #1 of 12
(1987 views)
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Running Poorly
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Hi,
I’m having problems with my RAV-4. It’s a 2000 2.0 4 cylinder gas engine, 2 wheel drive with just over 120.247 miles. Yesterday it ran fine, but when I got into it this morning to go to work, it started up fine but it ran terribly. It was idling rough, hesitating, and shaking and lacked power. I was barely able to accelerate. The “Check Engine Light” came on, and at one point the light started flashing, but then it stopped flashing and now it is on steady every time I start up. I went to Auto Zone and they read the “Error Codes” for me. The codes are:
PO300
PO301
PO302
PO303
The folks at Auto Zone were not able to tell what would cause all theses codes to come on at once and all of a sudden like that out of the clear blue sky? Can you help me? Do you know what the problem is?
Thank You
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Nov 16, 2012, 6:41 PM)
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 16, 2012, 6:34 PM
Post #2 of 12
(1978 views)
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Re: Running Poorly
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Random misfires in three of the 4 cylinders. Any recent repair work done? Have you been noticing a loss of coolant? When it was running bad, did it eventually clear up?
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Nov 16, 2012, 6:35 PM)
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Racer 51
User
Nov 16, 2012, 10:30 PM
Post #3 of 12
(1919 views)
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Re: Running Poorly
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Hello Discretesignals. Thank you for taking the time to respond so quickly. There have been no repairs. Only routine and preventive maintenance. I change the oil and filter every 3000 miles, and that was the last thing that was done. Yesterday the car ran fine. All this started this morning suddenly and without warning, when I started the car to go to work. At first just PO302 was set and just the second plug was (black dry carbon fouled). I know a little about cars so I pulled the second plug and saw it was fouled, so I cleaned it off, re-gapped it and reinstalled it. As the day progressed the car started running worse. That’s when I went back to Auto zone (a second time) and they read the codes again, and this time (in addition to PO302) PO300, PO303, and PO301 were set. I haven’t pulled those plugs to see if they are fouled. I plan to do that tomorrow, and I will let you know what I find. Now when I drive it I hear a little “Popping” sound coming from the throttle-body. I’ve been speaking to mechanics I know and they all have something different to say. (Below).
Possible fuel pressure problem
Possible catalytic converter problem
Possible timing belt problem (the belt has never been changed)
Do the above possibilities make sense to you?
One mechanic said I should replace the fuel filter. Do you feel that changing the filter would help?
BTW: No coolant missing or leaking, and condition does not clear up while driving.
Thank You Sir
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nickwarner
Veteran
/ Moderator
Nov 16, 2012, 10:37 PM
Post #4 of 12
(1916 views)
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Re: Running Poorly
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with just over 120.247 miles
Possible timing belt problem (the belt has never been changed)
Is this for real? You definately have trouble. There is a reason the factory publishes maintenance schedules. Ignore them at your own peril.
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 16, 2012, 10:44 PM
Post #5 of 12
(1915 views)
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Re: Running Poorly
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First thing you should do is pull the timing cover and inspect the belt and see if it is in time. Your going to have to replace the belt regardless. A twelve year old timing belt that is way overdue for changing can cause problems if the belt teeth are so worn that it jumps a couple of teeth. Thank goodness it is a freewheeling engine.
Timing belt interval on that is 90K or 72 months (which ever comes first)
edit: Nick beat me this time
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Nov 16, 2012, 10:45 PM)
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 16, 2012, 10:56 PM
Post #6 of 12
(1910 views)
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Re: Running Poorly
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I have a feeling Nick that we nailed this one. Misfires in all cylinders due to low compression, low power, along with popping in the intake sounds like a valve timing problem.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Nov 16, 2012, 10:58 PM)
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Racer 51
User
Nov 17, 2012, 7:47 AM
Post #7 of 12
(1896 views)
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Re: Running Poorly
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Thank you both.
The timing belt makes sense but I have a question.
It sounds like the timing is far enough off to inpact cylinder compression and valve timing, which is causing the driveability and performance issues. With that being said, why does the car start-up so quickly? I mean the engine cranks twice and it starts.
Again Thank you
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 17, 2012, 8:01 AM
Post #8 of 12
(1888 views)
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Re: Running Poorly
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Don't over analyze this. Just start eliminating things.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Racer 51
User
Nov 17, 2012, 1:09 PM
Post #9 of 12
(1862 views)
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Re: Running Poorly
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First of all let me thank all of you for your answers and for such quick responses.
“Hammertime” you are telling me not to over analyze this and just start eliminating things. Well thank you sir, but what exactly do you mean?
Are you saying that there are additional things to rule in or rule out?
I thought it was already ruled in (from what Discretesignals and Nickwarner said) that the issue is due to a failed timing belt.
“Hammertime (Please Sir ) if you feel that there are additional things that need to be ruled in or ruled out, can you please post what they are before I start dealing with the possibility of a Timing Belt issue.
Thank You
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Racer 52
New User
Nov 24, 2012, 4:07 PM
Post #11 of 12
(1794 views)
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Re: Running Poorly
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Hi Guy's it's me Racer 51,
For some reason my original identity didn't work, so I had to create a new identity just to log on.
Anyway sorry for the late response, and although all of your recommendations were wrong, I just want to say thank you to all of you for trying to help me. When I checked the timing belt it was fine. Via testing (at night with ignition cables and coils) I was able to determine that the number one coil was defective. I replaced the coil and the RAV is running fine again. Again thank you for trying to help.
Steve
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 25, 2012, 8:46 AM
Post #12 of 12
(1778 views)
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Re: Running Poorly
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Welp, just when you think you have the horse by the tail, it kicks you in the face. Kind of strange the one bad coil would set multiple misfire codes. Glad to see you have it sorted out. Thanks for the follow up  Even though the belt was in time, you still need to have it changed.
Closed as solved.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Nov 25, 2012, 8:46 AM)
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