Gutless diesel from a cold start

[CCF1]

My wife has a 12 yo 2l diesel RAV4. It has not done many miles. Even in the summer, when she starts it (2 or 3 turns of the key - no problem with the battery) the car seems pretty gutless until it warms up.
She waits for the glow plug light to go out before starting. Once running, she drives a couple of hundred yards and reaches the foot of a steepish hill. The RAV struggles to get up it. Once warm, the engine runs well and accelerates sweetly through 2500 - 3000 rpm. and it goes up the aforementioned hill a treat. It does not blow a plume of grey or white smoke out the back!

The car is due for a service soon and we would appreciate any comments on why the engine appears powerless and any questions to ask when it is serviced.

Thanks,

Chris

[finlo]

ERG valve sooted up and stuck open.

[CCF1]

Thanks Finlo. I am conscious that something must have caused the EGR valve to soot up. (I thought that the exhaust pipe was rather black too). I do not want to address the symptom and not the cause! The car does not get driven on short journeys.

Can you suggest a cause?


Thanks

Chris

[finlo]

It happens to all diesels regardless.

[CCF1]

is it best just to have it cleaned, or is it necessary to replace it?

[finlo]

You've got nothing to lose by attacking it with some carb cleaner and an old toothbrush.

[CCF1]

Is it a big job to replace the EGR Valve? (Not that I have the time to do it, but will it cost me an arm and a leg?)

Would it be a good idea to check the glowplugs as well?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Chris

[finlo]

A new EGR is around £150 and 4 glowplugs a further £30 no idea how difficult they are to do on a Rav 4 so can't comment on the Labour cost as i've never resorted to a garage to do any work for me.

[CCF1]

I would love to have a go myself, but, as I get older, my fingers do not respond so well to commands.

On the other hand, the Toyota garage seems to diagnose using their Diagnostic machine and then fix things. Not a real way of doing things and only as good as the program on their computer.

Thanks very much for the info.

[CCF1]

Is a new ERG valve a long job? 30 mins or half a day, please? I know every car is different, but I have no feel for what the job entails.

[Little Pete]

It's unlikely the EGR valve is stuck open as this would cause starting issues and black smoke when running. It's more likely it isn't sealing totally when closed. Take it off, give it a clean then spray or pour fluid in one side to make sure it is sealing. If not it will need replacing. If it's vacuum operated then you can use a vacuum tester to check the operation. If it's an electronic one you will need a diagnostic tool. This should take a couple of hours.

[CCF1]

Many thanks.

I have not noticed any black smoke whilst driving behind her, but starting is getting difficult.

[CCF1]

We have now been told by the Toyota garage that it is the suction control valve! (£500 fitted)

I am still researching to see what this does.