[Tazio Nuvolari]

The eCVT is just electric motor and a gear box, it shouldn’t make noise.

I agree-if the eCVT is working properly it should NOT make noise. However, what if something is not working right in the eCVT? How does the eCVT mate up to the ICE engine? Is there some kind of bearing or mainshaft connection between them? Is there any internal part of the ECVT that could make a hum if it fails?

 

[Tazio Nuvolari]

I think it is okay not to say anything if you don’t know. There is no shame in that. But to make wild theories when you have no clue is not so cool in my book.

I'm not making up any wild theories. Diagnosis of car noises is a guessing game--you speculate and rule things out. I asked knowledgeable hybrid aficionados if the eCVT could be making that hum or rumble. As I said in post#2 I was only diagnosing the ICE and leaving it up to others to speculate about the eCVT and hybrid components.

. I will give some suggestions about the rumbling noise relating to the gas/ICE engine. I will leave it to others to give suggestions relating to the hybrid systems and eCVT.

 

[Tazio Nuvolari]

So now, we are fanatics, huh?

Aren't posters who love their hybrid RAV4s and are very interested in everything about those cars "fanatical" about them? I'm not being insulting. I'm a fanatic about the gas models.

 

[crofter]

I realize this is hybrid rather than ICE but could it have any commonality with the heavy growl noise I experienced when temperature dropped. A lot of the symptoms seem common. Have a look at the discussion in the link below

https://www.rav4world.com/posts/3066140/

 

[Felix_52]

I realize this is hybrid rather than ICE but could it have any commonality with the heavy growl noise I experienced when temperature dropped. A lot of the symptoms seem common. Have a look at the discussion in the link below

https://www.rav4world.com/posts/3066140/

This does sound a little promising. The only thing that gives me pause is that the engine started making the noise when it was warmer outside. I'd say ~10°C back in early Nov which was uncharacteristically warm around these parts.

Funny enough, it was my wife who first pointed out the noise and a cold car was the first thing I assumed, but I ended up ruling this out due to it popping up in warmer weather/even after the car has been driven for ~2hr+ straight.... That said, I'm open to revisiting the cold issue, I've got 3 years warrenty on this so if all else fails, I can wait til the summer and see if it goes away

As an aside.... I WISH the 2023 Rav4 hybrid would show rpm so I could be more specific. All I have to go off of is a charge gauge and a fuel efficiency gauge
-_-

EDIT: Totally forgot to mention, I've had the opportunity to drive In few Rav4 hybrids during this period and none have had this issue.

 

[500500]

to me it sounds like a vibration rumble
two things rubbing/vibrating together
could be anywhere


but that is what is sounds like, physical vibration between
parts normally separated by more space or vibration damping gasket

at any rate time to get the microphones and isolate the source
keep moving the mic, recreate rumble, move mic, repeat until
you find it

beg/borrow/steal something
Auto Diagnostic Listening Device, Sensor Probe, Sensor Clamp with Lead

they can be expensive or cheap

Amazon.com

 

[crofter]

In sympathetic resonance the surface emitting the noise may not be what is causing the vibration. I am just home from a plus 200 mile trip. A few degrees below 0 F. The noise is still there but now that I have eliminated the worries about something about to self destruct it is not nearly so bothersome. My XLE has a tach. and the noise is focused between 17 and 1800 rpm at modest throttle. That is just shy of 60 mph on a slight uphill. On the level at that speeed it upshifts a gear and drops the revs below the noise range.
Off topic, but on a cold day like that gas mileage is off by a bit more than 10%

 

[townaceuser]

Sounds a wee bit like an exhaust manifold/ EGR leak to my ears but there's a couple of other things worth a check.
firstoff, does the noise change depending on whether aircon is on or not?
secondly, throw a dose of your favourite injector/fuel system cleaner in the tank and report back after a few days.

It might well be just a resonance of some kind tho- there are various mass dampers around the vehicle and some are on rubber mounts; this rubber will respond differently when it's btterly cold...

 

[a00717928]

Having the RAV4 Hybrid 2024 for about 1000km now, new car. I noticed the engine gets noisy at low rpms and I think nels0300 is right in his statement. And I also think it has to do with a colder outside temperature.