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

[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

[CCF1]

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

[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

[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.

[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.