Car shakes when starting and I have blow by

Norab · Jul 5, 2021

I am not sure but I think I will need to get an independent opinion because I have been to a few dealers already they either say “we cannot duplicate the issue” or the antifreeze leak they said is “normal in new cars”. That right there should raise red flags. We were smelling antifreeze that’s why we checked and saw the container was almost empty. I cannot post a video to show the blow-by I have. I will Reach out to a lemon law lawyer.

Norab · Jul 5, 2021

Tazio Nuvolari said:
If you had a blown head gasket and coolant was leaking into the combustion chamber you would have billowing clouds of white smoke coming out of your exhaust pipes and most likely some liquid also. If you had a cracked or defective engine block casting the coolant would be going into your oil pan and you would see this on the dipstick as the fluid level rises up way above the maximum mark. If a head gasket or crack in the block was leaking externally outside the engine you would see huge puddles under the car and could see the coolant trickling out of the side of the engine from such external leak because it is under pressure when the engine is running. Did you have any of these conditions?

To be honest I didn’t see where the antifreeze was leaking from it was almost empty when my father smelled antifreeze coming from my car. I then noticed there was a leak. I brought it in the next day and they told me it was normal in new cars.

Norab · Jul 5, 2021

crazyhorse said:
Did you check to see if your RAV was impacted by the cracked block recall?

I did run my vin and it didn’t come up but I also put in a complaint.

Tazio Nuvolari · Jul 5, 2021

crazyhorse said:
This seems like an exaggeration of the "cracked block" symptoms that Toyota publicly acknowledged.

These are the standard diagnostic symptoms of the referred to engine malfunctions that apply to any automobile gas ICE engine in any make of car. Back in the day you would learn these in high school auto shop

crazyhorse · Jul 5, 2021

I guess

Tazio Nuvolari said:
These are the standard diagnostic symptoms of the referred to engine malfunctions that apply to any automobile gas ICE engine in any make of car. Back in the day you would learn these in high school auto shop

Then I guess your HS shop teacher knows better than the Toyota engineers and there couldn't possibly be other less obvious symptoms.

Tazio Nuvolari · Jul 5, 2021

crazyhorse said:
I guess

Then I guess your HS shop teacher knows better than the Toyota engineers and there couldn't possibly be other less obvious symptoms.

That is not what I am saying. The porous casting issue in the 5th gen RAV4 block that led to the 2019 recall of a few cars world wide out of the huge production run would have caused a slight or minor and much less noticeable coolant loss which the Toyota engineers and the recall properly addressed. The symptoms I posted above stem from much more drastic and severe coolant leaks. Blown head gaskets and blocks with visually observable cracks always give the above symptoms. There is never a mystery to any to any old school mechanic as opposed to a new school computer diagnostic tech. The symptoms I posted apply to any make of gas engine car--- not just Toyota RAV4s

pericles · Jul 5, 2021

Norab said:
I am not sure but I think I will need to get an independent opinion because I have been to a few dealers already they either say “we cannot duplicate the issue” or the antifreeze leak they said is “normal in new cars”. That right there should raise red flags. We were smelling antifreeze that’s why we checked and saw the container was almost empty. I cannot post a video to show the blow-by I have. I will Reach out to a lemon law lawyer.

Was it determined that the coolant was coming from the reservoir or block ? Did you ask for a pressure test ?

These RAV4s receive their share of criticism, but not the engine which has proven reliability. As mentioned, you need an independent evaluation from a 3rd party reputable garage.

Norab · Jul 5, 2021

pericles said:
Was it determined that the coolant was coming from the reservoir or block ? Did you ask for a pressure test ?

These RAV4s receive their share of criticism, but not the engine which has proven reliability. As mentioned, you need an independent evaluation from a 3rd party reputable garage.

when I took it in they said they didn’t find any issues, my father asked if they did a pressure test and the head mechanic said NO. He asked why wouldn’t you do a pressure test and come to a conclusion like that. He was getting pissed that he was questioning him. We took the car and left. I am beyond disgusted with the technicians I have been dealing with at all the dealerships. They do not do the proper diagnostics but just run a diagnostic test which doesn’t show codes they said. I am for sure getting an independent reputable opinion to do proper testing. The only reason I bought a Toyota was because of their reliability and My brother used to own a Toyota car but it seems that their quality deteriorated big time.

Tazio Nuvolari · Jul 5, 2021

Many of what I call "new school" younger automobile technicians from trade schools are not what anyone would consider to be a true mechanic. They are excellent at diagnosing electrical or sensor or computer issues with scanners and plug in devices but are at a total loss when it comes to hands on nuts and bolts wrenching.

Norab · Jul 5, 2021

Tazio Nuvolari said:
Many of what I call "new school" younger automobile technicians from trade schools are not what anyone would consider to be a true mechanic. They are excellent at diagnosing electrical or sensor or computer issues with scanners and plug in devices but are at a total loss when it comes to hands on nuts and bolts wrenching.

I totally agree with you. That’s why I know my father knows what he is talking about as he is an old school certified mechanic just works on personal cars when needed.

Big Daddy · Jul 5, 2021

The problem today with cars they have become so complicated & rely on computers to operate the vehicle. Your average mechanic today is not the mechanic of yesterday, when my father-in-law started as a mechanic you worked on all parts of the car, brakes, transmissions, electrical, engines, coolant systems etc. If a vehicle was in the shop for repair regardless of what was wrong you as a mechanic was expected to diagnose & repair plus explain what the problem was and what you did to the customer. There was no bullsh*t service advisers, you actually had a face to face conversation with a mechanic,

Colonel · Jul 6, 2021

I am trying to figure out how "loss of coolant" is normal? My Rav4h (minus my screwup) has not leaked or lost coolant.

My Fusion after I replaced a faulty pressure cap (plastic garbage) never loses coolant. Coolant loss IS a problem.

Norab · Jul 6, 2021

Big Daddy said:
The problem today with cars they have become so complicated & rely on computers to operate the vehicle. Your average mechanic today is not the mechanic of yesterday, when my father-in-law started as a mechanic you worked on all parts of the car, brakes, transmissions, electrical, engines, coolant systems etc. If a vehicle was in the shop for repair regardless of what was wrong you as a mechanic was expected to diagnose & repair plus explain what the problem was and what you did to the customer. There was no bullsh*t service advisers, you actually had a face to face conversation with a mechanic,

I agree with you. They rely on gadgets to tell them what’s wrong instead of doing the actual work and searching the problem. This is just disgusting!

Norab · Jul 6, 2021

Colonel said:
I am trying to figure out how "loss of coolant" is normal? My Rav4h (minus my screwup) has not leaked or lost coolant.

My Fusion after I replaced a faulty pressure cap (plastic garbage) never loses coolant. Coolant loss IS a problem.

That’s why I know they are covering things up. There should never be loss of coolant. Especially in a brand new vehicle. I need to seriously investigate and have someone look at it. My last time buying Toyota.

crazyhorse · Jul 6, 2021

Norab said:
That’s why I know they are covering things up. There should never be loss of coolant. Especially in a brand new vehicle. I need to seriously investigate and have someone look at it. My last time buying Toyota.

It seems you have every reason to be very disappointed. I'm not making excuses for Toyota, but in my experience, I expect that Toyota will eventually do the right thing for you. It may take some more hassling with them but be persistent. Good luck.

Norab · Jul 7, 2021

crazyhorse said:
It seems you have every reason to be very disappointed. I'm not making excuses for Toyota, but in my experience, I expect that Toyota will eventually do the right thing for you. It may take some more hassling with them but be persistent. Good luck.

Thank you for your advice and everyone else on here. I will definitely look into this and be persistent and not take their sorry excuses for an answer.

SLS Artemis · Jul 9, 2021

If your car is going through that much coolant, something is seriously wrong! I would be squealing like a poked pig! And I thought having paint issues was bad. I would rather have paint issues than mechanical, especially to that extent. Toyota seems to like to deny everything now days. I have been going the rounds with them for about 3 years now. Call regional Toyota and then corporate in Plano Texas. Take notes on everything and document everything, pictures etc.

Small amounts of coolant is normal to evaporate over time; a long period of time. If the overflow is drained, that is ridiculous and huge red flag to an issue. You need to figure out where it is going. That is far from normal.

Test driver · Jul 9, 2021

Norab said:
Hello, my 2020 rav 4 shakes when I first start the car then it stops when RPM goes down.
My car sometimes hesitates to accelerate and they said that it’s normal and cannot duplicate the issue which I’m sick of hearing the same excuse with them.
Also, if I open the engine cap there is serious blow by going on and the Toyota mechanic said it’s a new technology in Toyota and its normal. Said all cars have this and I told him no it does not as I have checked other random vehicles and asked other mechanics.
Also, the engine sounds a bit rough at times and I have taken videos of everything.

Does anyone have input on these issues?

That isn't normal, I have a 2020 RAV4 and it doesn't do that. I would keep on going back and talk to the general manager of the dealership to get some answers.

Norab · Jul 9, 2021

SLS Artemis said:
If your car is going through that much coolant, something is seriously wrong! I would be squealing like a poked pig! And I thought having paint issues was bad. I would rather have paint issues than mechanical, especially to that extent. Toyota seems to like to deny everything now days. I have been going the rounds with them for about 3 years now. Call regional Toyota and then corporate in Plano Texas. Take notes on everything and document everything, pictures etc.

Small amounts of coolant is normal to evaporate over time; a long period of time. If the overflow is drained, that is ridiculous and huge red flag to an issue. You need to figure out where it is going. That is far from normal.

Thank you for your advice. I agree mechanical issues are much more serious although you shouldn’t be having to deal with paint issues either. I am going to investigate this and have have plenty of documentation to get a lawyer if they don’t want to figure it out. I will be contacting the regional and corporate even though I reached out already once and they just said to take it to another dealership and didn’t seem to care. Toyota has changed big time they used to be one of the best not anymore.

Norab · Jul 9, 2021

Test driver said:
That isn't normal, I have a 2020 RAV4 and it doesn't do that. I would keep on going back and talk to the general manager of the dealership to get some answers.

I am going back I am going to broadcast it everywhere or hire a lawyer. Something needs to be done. Thank you for letting me know your same model doesn’t have the same issues as I do.

Car shakes when starting and I have blow by

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