Yes but his prices is way too high. I understand why dealership prices are high because they have multiple bays. Multiple employees multiple different types of overhead cost at the same time. This guy is nice and charging dealership prices..
An Absolute Master Class. And should be mandatory viewing by any serious Toyota apprentice that wants this career. A fine mix of the technical and the practical approaches to these repair/replace issues and the value of the honest customer relationship. Kudos to AMD and the entire team~!
I've always loved my toyota Trucks SUV's and Sedán models , but I had additionally a hunch about the design and assembly of new siennas engine and their material. It happens to be after the Sunnami in Japan automakers manufacturers plants and their flaws when cities got flodded affecting a millions of frames and chasis. Here is the result aftermath. 😬
This technology will be obsolete, what we need is training on electrical and sensor operation within the automotive world. This is legacy information that will only be applicable for a little bit, most customer will not do this kind of job.
I work 12 hour shift and i play this channel on the background and listen to it on my Bluetooth earphones . Better than music. God bless and long live AMD. also stay genuine forever. Dont let anyone buy you. This is why we love your channel
As a former mechanic/technician I must say this man is as good as can be expected, in other words he is excellent in what he does. His knowledge and experience is evident. The attention to details is really what repair and maintenance is all about. I would trust this guy.
I have this engine in my 2010 Rav4. Its packed in this 3rd generation engine bay. Ive got 133k on it now and had the waterpump replaced 1500 miles ago that had been rattling for years, but never leaked coolant. Its so quiet now, it purrs. I love this one with this engine, it has incredible torque and im glad its a 4x4 because i read where the 2x4 with this big engine has really bad steering torque. This thing in the 3rd gen rav4 2006 to 2012 is a beast. It actually makes my anxiety go up because im used to smaller engines and this 3.5 has 270 hp. Ive replaced the coil packs and plugs myself, but i could have never replaced the waterpump on this thing and let the toyota dealer do it for $1050 and worth it. Im the second owner and got it with 89k miles and have changed the oil every 3k to 3.5k miles each time using genuine toyota oil filter and full synthetic 5w30 castrol oil and its never had a leak of any kind. Its done me really good and im impressed. Thanks for the great videos you are the most explicit, informative and thorough mechanic i have ever witnessed.
I always brag to people about the engine in those feel stronger especially with the lower gear ratio in the rav4. I work on them daily but it’s always water pumps and cover leaks, the usual. Great vehicles.
I appreciate the fact that though he is a big Toyota/Lexus loyalist, he is still critical of design flaws, and any issues encountered when working on these vehicles.
100% agree on the broken parts thing, this is why I stopped taking on any old job after going my own way and started working strictly by referral only, for people I know who know me who take the time and appreciation to listen to details about the job, even when it's the sort of person whose face glazes over at technical stuff, I like knowing that they know "shit happens". It has served me well and gained lifetime customers! They know and love the concept of "it's not that I don't love you, I just don't want to see you again" (If we're doing this, it's getting done right!)
@@Richard-xv7yf can definitely understand and relate to that, burnout is real and lone mechanics don't really have any resources for dealing with it. It stacks up. Combined with today's absolutely ridiculous high cost of certain cheaply designed and manufactured parts that shouldn't fail to begin with.. having to have "that talk" with a customer (ahem Ford & Chrysler garbage)
My wife bought a 2010 venza v6 awd. 4 years ago. Best car we've ever had. But as a chevy guy, I had no confidence working on this toyota beyond oil changes. This man is a professor, literally teaching everyone for free. Speaks so clearly, even a dodge guy could understand. I watch every video from start to finish and can't wait for the next one. So friendly, you can't help but like him. He's like a heart surgeon, but only for one kind of human 😊 but you can take his advice and apply it to any modern vehicle.
This guys is the epitome of a Toyota master mechanic. I wish I could have someone like this work on my car whenever needed… that way, I KNOW the job will be done right and I’m not getting scammed on a repair.
I imagine how cool it is for the owner to watch this video. The Car Care Nut is a good mechanic not only because of his knowledge, but also because he himself love his cars to a point which a non car guy would consider as mental illness. He cares, that's why he can repair the car as if is his own. I absolutely love this channel!
I work on Toyota and Honda down in Nigeria and I'd say, you're at the apex of your information. These engines are bulletproof and very difficult to destroy if maintained. You've done great, Namaste 👏
I find this channel and its delivery therapeutic. It's hard to not get sucked into watching the whole thing. Hugely educational, masterfully documented, and just a joy to watch. We all dream of finding a mechanic like him.
I just clicked onto this video randomly because I like his channel. Turns out the answer to my cold start issue in my tacoma is right here. Not happy about the repair needed, but super glad the problem has a known source now. Two dealerships couldn't figure it out.
😂 same thing here...he manages to get me to watch the V6 disassembly till the end...even I had no interest in the V6 in the first place. But I’m a technical guy after all.
You are a freaking GENIUS your customers are EXTREMELY lucky to have you repairing their cars. I am an old guy 67 and I know the value of experience. You cannot put a price on those skills.Thank You
Our 2010 Highlander has this motor and I am advising my daughter to get in to a 2012-2015 rx350 Im watching this video and a couple other CCN 2GR-FE videos multiple times. Great educational tool. I would seriously consider driving 1500miles to this shop for a job like this. Great stuff sir !
Such a great engine! My 07 es350 just passed 200K and this guy has helped so much with advice. I had my nephew buy an 08 es (even though I was pushing for 2010 or later to get all the 2GR updates CCN mentions in this video). Trying to convince my sister to buy one too and my mom will be trading a 2016 jeep compass to get an rx or es that's a little bit older than hers.
My 2008 Highlander has 247k miles and no start up rattle. Change the oil every 5k miles with fully synthetic. No oil usage between changes. Had blue puff of smoke on first morning start up from valve seals. AT-205 Reseal fixed that. Thanks AMD for all your technical information, you are amazing!
@@Krakondack most likely from negligence on their maintenance. You see it all the time, people with lousy sounding engines are the ones that never change their oil and then complain about the vehicle needing some kind of major service.
@@frankbizthat must be it. Toyota couldn’t possibly have a problem. Like when some of their vehicles took off and couldn’t be stopped until it crashed. It was a “floor mat” problem. Lol
My 2009 Venza XLE also have this engine and, like your no issues with the engine. Not a single oil drop lost. I am beating your, mine have 257,000 miles. Just like you changing synthetic oil every 5000 miles. I am targeting the 300,000 miles. We like it so much that even though we have newer cars we refuse to sell it. The new Toyotas aren’t this reliable.
@@ericpizarro3084 that's great. I'm keeping and seeing how far it will go. I'm sure the new Highlanders with the turbo 4 cylinder won't last as long. I'm sure the turbo will go out before 150k.
This guy is a genius. Incredible skill and intellect. It is striking how extremely complex modern cars are. It is a wonder that they are as reliable as they are.
I was NOT expecting the engine to come out the BOTTOM of the car! I've worked on aerospace navigation equipment, but you make me nervous. Respect, sir.
Rustyland is where cars get metal cancer. Wow, I have never seen so much rust on a car throughout the underside. Incredible delicate Toyota vehicle surgeon skills you and the team have brother Ahmed. I don't live near Rustyland but if I do, I know where to go. Great breakdown repair video! May the Lord continue to watch over and bless you, your family and the employees.
Rust = Neglect Here in Ontario we use salt on the roads from November until the end of March or early April. My 18 year old car is rust free because it is given the proper preventative maintenance ie rustproofing each year.
Really appreciate the sheer amount of effort you put into your videos. Would love to maybe see a 3UR-FE refresh video someday. Keep up the good work! Thank you for the awesome content!
You are a credit to the car tech industry! A true professional! Entertaining and passing on knowledge. Entertaining is the key to success on RUclips aside from expertise.
I met AMD a few weeks back when I had my ES350 in his shop for maintenance the first time and he spent some time with me explaining everything…he is not only a superb technician but a true pro and a gentleman.
My 2008 ES 350 had 101,000 at purchase. Soon after, I heard that rattle for a couple of seconds, and a few weeks later I heard it again. Between the first and second rattle I had the oil changed tho it looked real good. Using full synthetic and a premium filter, changing every 5000 miles. Another thirty months and 21,000 miles, and all is well.
Really, any synthetic should do the trick. Do not use an oil with a viscosity number that is higher than what is recommended by the manufacturer. Maybe change it at 3000 a couple of times and use a premium WIX filter. If it still rattles upon start-up, you may have a problem that will require a repair shop. @@cacashichung8974
@@cacashichung8974 Amsoil Synthetic Signature Series is probably the best oil on earth, expensive but superior quality, they actually guarantee it for 25,000 miles
These are my favorite videos. Love the teardown and seeing it go back together with any of the known issues repaired and ready for a long road trip. Thank you.
So glad to hear this. We have a 2012 also, with only 86,000 miles. I plan to keep it indefinitely. Purchased in 2016 with 49,000 miles. It has been such a good car. A bulb burned out, but that’s all we’ve had to do so far in 7 years. Haven’t noticed any rattling on startup.
I’ve changed the vvt gears without removing the engine, it’s a little tricky and stressful getting the internal tensioner bolted back in but it can be done for anyone wondering. He obviously did it the correct way bc he was resealing the timing cover that was leaking. I had to do this during the early years of this engine especially on the Avalon with the rattle at startup. I’m late to this guys channel but major respect from one Toyota MDT to another!! This guy knows how to repair these vehicles.
This is THE best content I’ve seen on RUclips, hands down. I’ll be DIYing the external head gasket leak soon, and this video will save me close to $5000 in dealership repairs. AMD, thank you for sharing your expertise! Please keep this kind of content coming 😊.
That's odd, my 2005 Avalon still runs smooth and like new at 175K miles with no variable valve timing issues. I change my oil every 5K with synthetic and so far so good knock on wood. Thanks for sharing your video, it was a pleasure watching a pro mechanic at work.
@@joelopez40oz23 My Avalon was assembled in Kentucky and it has its issues like timing chain cover is leaking oil from one particular spot (many 2gr-fe engines have similar problem). Valve covers are leaking oil and sun roof stopped working long time ago because the plastic rollers jammed sideways. Other than that, it still runs strong and smooth without Variable valve timing issues. I keep up on maintenance myself by doing regular oil changes, transmission drain and fill, water pump replacement, radiator flush, CV boots when they start leaking, and spark plugs with new coils. Replaced alternator at 115k miles. Don’t get me wrong, my Avalon is not perfect and can use more maintenance but it runs great at the moment. I try not to abuse my cars and it lasts me longer than for most folks. Keep in mind that I live in California and our cars don’t rust here like other states so most of our vehicles look fairly clean and rust free underneath. The only thing we worry about here is thermal breakdowns from the heat. Not sure how long I’ll keep it but if some type of major repairs come up and the cost of fixing it outweighs the price of the car then I’ll think about replacing it.
2GR-FE VVTI rattle prevention tip - look at your owner's manual. This engine requires 6 quarts of oil, not 5. Monitor your oil level. I am an original owner of a 2007 Sienna with this engine. Still running well with over 230,000 miles.
Quoted price was extremely reasonable. Great video and great shop and mechanic. It does not get any better than this. I have a 2008 Lexus 400H with 175, 000 miles. It has timing belts and electric water pump. Outside of maintenance - No issues, no leaks. Solid engine. Maintenance has been done on schedule, pretty much.
As an owner of a 2011 Avalon, every video you do on the 2GR is just so incredibly valuable to me. I cling to every word. Thanks for being so thorough and not shaving down the content, I like the longer videos.
The oil line got me on my 2011 Highlander Hybrid. I had no idea since I wasn’t following this channel back then. Fortunately the wife pulled over and no engine damage.
I purchased a 2015 highlander and unfortunately i did not watch his video before i purchased it and sure every common problem he mentioned developed later on on the car i was able to identify the issue because of all the info i got after watching his video. brother my respects you really know what you are doing.
Love these teardown and rebuild videos! I had a 2011 4WD Highlander with the 2GR-FE and it was totaled in an accident in May of this year. Loved that SUV with the full time AWD. Great in snow. Very little issues. No VVTI noises, quiet motor, and the original water pump at 195K miles when I said goodby. Bought a 21 Highlander AWD Platinum and honestly I would rather have the 2011 back. New highlanders have soo many electronic nannys and the drive is very isolated. Anyway, again, appreciate TCCN vids!
Toyotas have always been about isolating the noise, the ride, and handling so the car does the work and you steer and keep it safely on the road. Love my 09 highlander with 178k miles. Did radiator in 22 and alternator recently. No oil leaks no head or valve cover or front cover leaks. Japan build is worthwhile
@@beergold You likely have a known issue which is the final drive in the transmission. Many of the Toyota V6 transmissions with the 2GR-FE (including RAV4s, etc) had whining that would develop around the speed you are describing and go away at higher speeds. I had that exact issue with my 2011 and the only repair is to replace the transsaxle with rebuilt one (which I had done under warranty.) The issue is the factory honing on the final drive gears was not correct. The noise will not hurt anything and likely will not get much worse with time. Don't bother with fluid changes or heavier fluids. That will not fix the issue. Just run it and change the fluid as you normally would with maintenance.
@beergold Wow. A lot going on there! Unfortunately, the final drive is the first piece that goes in a transaxle. That is why Toyota just replaces the whole thing. You have to take everything out just to get to it. I suppose a transmission shop could do it but still wouldn't be cheap. The reason I mentioned RAV4 in my first post is because I had a 2007 with the same problem but out of warranty. I just lived with it. When I bought the Highlander I was hyper aware and listening. You may end up having to sell it if it bothers you too much.
@@beergold Once you hit that big nugget and get a few ounces, you can get a new transmission! Be careful buying from a junk yard as many of these make noise and you have no way to tell if it does or not in a junk yard. Could be a big waste of money. Best of luck!
All I need to see is how immaculately clean your shop is. It’s a sign of pride. My dad preached that taking care of anything you own will pay you back in spades. I was easily influenced in this regard, and I wouldn’t have it any other way! Love your vids. My family and I are Toyota and Lexus fans.
I owned 3 Lexus sedans with the 2GR. A 2008 Lexus ES 350, a 2019 Lexus ES 350 and currently 2019 Lexus GS 350. All of them have served me well. The 2008 developed a VVTi rattle on some cold starts after ~130k miles but that went away went I switched to Mobil1 "high-mileage" full synthetic. The 2019 ES 350 was the quietest of the bunch and had the best fuel economy. The 2019 GS 350 has the most power and best sound but the worst fuel economy. I love Toyota/Lexus V6 engines and I'm saddened that they are slowly being phased away for the inferior turbocharged 4-bangers.
@little123456788 Good to know. Had an 06 Rav that developed oil leak around 200k miles. Current 13 ES 125k miles no leak. That timing cover leak seems is biggest issue with 2Gr and that's hit and miss with this engine.
@@MrScoobiemanI picked a 2012 v6 rav4 from Ohio and drove it all the way to Arizona. I raced a BMW 750li and I beat him. A Range Rover pulled behind me and too close and as soon as I gunned my rav4, I put 6 car’s length on him. I raced a highlander as well and I beat it. The rav4 horse power is underrated I believe. The bmw driver was shocked. As soon as I let those cars pass by, they stay at my rear and wondered what I have under the hood, 😂 they then fly by.
I do circuit board repair for customers and I always explain when providing them a quote that the quote is based on a perfect scenario. If there’s other damage there will be an additional charge but I will inform them first.
I always try to start with worst case scenario and down from there so when it ends being a cheap easy fix they're delighted to know it could have been way worse, and not completely shocked when it is worst case - plan for the worst but hope for the best. It's the only way I know to keep it real with some types of people
Even if you're across the Atlantic from me and talking mostly about Toyotas and Lexus'es (owning an old Opel myself). I still highly enjoy your videos, such rational thinking, clear wording and such good logic and conclusions, it's soo soothing to just listening to your voice and at the same time quietly nodding in agreement at you, by myself here at home.
I had a 04 Corolla for 12 years, I loved that car but when it started to develop transmission problems I had to get rid of it. So in 2016 I bought a SIENNA 7 years later I still have it
You, sir, are awesome. I have a 2012 Highlander Limited and I believe a 2GR-FE Rev. 3. Approaching 200K. I've always been a stickler about oil and filters and now feel a bit better. Your oratory skills are fantastic and I just loved seeing it down to the component level. I'll be listening very carefully for the start up rattle. Now I have to do both rear struts and sway bar which all of sudden seems pretty managable. Much respect!
I was definitely lucky. I had a 2013 Highlander & I got 237K highway miles out of it, only did full synthetic oil changes at EVERY 10K mikes religiously at the dealership. miles. Engine never left me, I did have to replace the radiator at 230K miles. No hoses, belts, spark plugs, no water pump, just engine air filter and cabin filter. Transmission never serviced. I was truly lucky. Your videos are excellent. Great 👍🏾 work.
Another interesting video, you always do a great job. This is especially interesting to me since I had an '08 with the startup rattle. Sadly, no dealer would fix it even at 44K without it costing me $6,800 so I moved on. I'd still buy a very used Toyota for really cheap, but not another new one. My experience tells me all mfg's are pretty much the same now.
You'd buy a USED Toyota? No way for me. You have no idea how the previous owner maintained the vehicle and as the man said, it's all about maintaining your Toyota. It's like Russian Roulette and 3 triggers have already been pulled. I'm not sure if we'd buy another Toyota after our Rav4 had the oil line failure and the VVT rattle, but we found a premo Subaru Ascent for a decent price so we got that. The issue for me with Toyota is, while the dealer did the line for free, they would not put the all metal line on in place of the rubber one (even after I bought it from a Canadian Toyota dealer). And since we lost so much oil from the rubber line rupture I am convince that is what shortened the life of our VVT gear. (I maintained the car flawlessly for 15 years, only premium fully synthetic oil and OEM Toyota filters.) Toyota really should have replaced the VVT gear when they did the rubber line replacement under warranty, but they would not. So that has soured me on Toyota a little bit. (Especially after watching this video.) Other than that, our Rav4 has been fantastic with only 1 water pump, lots of brake pads and many, many bearings replaced. (We do tow, so that that explains the brakes and bearings.) 220,000 miles and now it's parked waiting for the money to do this job. We really do love the car, but we feel Toyota kinda cheated us on this issue. We really take very good care of our vehicles.
You have to buy at the end of the cycle not the beginning. I just got a 23 Tacoma. The last year of the 3rd gen. If you look at the first year(2016) it had all the issues. If you buy year 1 or 2 of a new vehicle you are basically being a beta tester for the company. Same thing with the Nissan frontier 2nd gen(2005-2019). From 2005-2009 they had a lot of serious issues. But the 2010 and ups are very reliable trucks. Buying the first years of a new vehicle is risky. You want the best version not the worst.
I have a 2014 GS350 F Sport with this engine (a variant of it) and am very thankful for this video. This is a great engine as long as you do the routine maintenance. All I’ve ever had to replace on her is the driver side front CV axle. I wished Lexus still made the GS. Keep up the good work!
I have a 2010 Rav4 with a 2GR-FE with 130K miles. I think I'll have nightmares after watching this video! This car has always had oil changes at 5K miles with full synthetic. Virtually zero oil consumption in 5K miles and ZERO startup rattle. I'm going to switch the oil change interval to 4K miles and hope for the best.
Regarding the customer who had done his homework and wanted to move forward with this project, I have always maintained that having the job done right the first time is worth every penny, as long as the vehicle is worth it. It sounds to me like $7K for this vehicle with its low miles of 98K is definitely worth. No way can you replace that vehicle for only $7K right now. Peace of mind with a pro like AMD doing the job is a blessing all by itself. Thanks, AMD, for your effort and professionalism.
That is how I take care of my cars. At a certain time, i do an overhaul. Just like what we do on aircrafts. TBO. Time before overhaul. Thank you so much for doing this! I learned a lot!
I had the 1mzfe in my 03 Highlander. Great engine as long as you change the oil regularly. The thing I loved best about it was, that it was a non- interference engine.
although low on power i would still choose the 1mz over the 2gre .. due to its simplicity and durability ... don't have to worry about oil cooler lines bursting of head gasket leaks vvti gears misbehaving and water pump going south under 100,000 mi.
Just thinking back to rebuilding my old Chevy 283 and how simple they were and how few parts there were in the whole engine. Watching him disassemble the engine and remembering where each part went in reassembly is simply amazing.
Love the conversation about "who pays?" when things go south with old parts and components being taken apart. I also wonder about how things should be handled when a misdiagnosis occurs. Should the customer still be charged for the parts and/or labor when parts are installed and then found out didn't solve or contribute to problem the customer wanted fixed?
If your car is in great condition and you can revise the motor for 7k, it is worth it. Considering what a new vehicle goes for, yes, worth it. Plus, the level of care and attention to detail is above board! I would travel cross country to have him perform this level of work on my car.
Great Video as usual! I have a 16 ES350 with 97k. It has been perfect except it has developed the coolant leak here in NY. Estimates are around 5k dollars but in 10k miles I have lost less than a cup!
Man that looked like a really clean engine on the inside I think the owners are doing their oil changes right. Great video AMD! Interesting to see this video after I watched @Idocars take down a core engine.
Great video as always. One suggestion is once you have the subframe down with all this rust, I would just use a wirebrush on all the rusty areas that are easily accessible, particularly with the subframe removed, and then spray it with some rustoleum flat black. This is not something mechaniscs normally do, but if I was a customer living in a rust belt I would pay a little extra to have my mechanic do this. Using fluidfilm may be a good idea as well. I have an highlander myself and live in the rustbelt and once per year I lift the car up and touch up any rustspots with flat black rustoleum. Anyone looking under the car may be wondering why there is black overspray on the engine and transmission, but this does do a good job of slowing down rusting significantly.
Fluid film marine grade grease is the only only only thing I've found that works without issue unless you go the sand and prime route. FF liquid AR is ok but not durable enough. Their marine grease rocks. It ain't going away once you smear it on.
If there's ever an argument for the Extended Warranty,"THIS IS IT". YES THE ONE THAT IS 50 MILES LONG. Yes I love Toyotas as I own a HILUX and it's quite bulletproof. Yes it's a 2.4 Diesel, I change the oil and filter every 3500 miles. Yes I'm that old. I love your content and expertise that are beyond reproach. You are the man. The work involved here to accomplish this is tantamount to a surgeon having to work through the patient rectum to repair his elbow. YES ENGINEERS CAN DO BETTER AND MUST. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK.
Ahmad thank very very much for this particular video. It answered all of my questions. I remember we talked in the past about rattling on cold start etc. But this video covers also the causes, consequences of running low on oil. Brilliant job and I love your approach on educating DIY mechanics!
Nice. Learning allot about the Toyo family through your video's. I'm prepping to buy a used one, and the input and history you are providing us is hugely important.
I’m a Toyota fan and own 2 as daily drivers. Honestly, if I had to spend $7,000 for repairs at less than 100k miles, I would be seriously disappointed and be looking at other manufacturers. My 2014 Venza (2GRFE w/ 110k+ mikes) and my 2020 Tacoma (V6 w/ 17k miles) are late production run models that hopefully had all their quirks worked out and will provide years of trouble free operation.
Illinois salt really starts to take its toll at the 15 to 20 year old cars. Another 5 years on the road this car will start rusting out and at the 20 year mark you just have to cross your fingers.
Dealers told me it doesn't matter. I did 3K dealer oil changes, vvti cold start rattle happened anyway at 44K. It's 'do you feel lucky...punk'? They refused to fix it under warranty. "normal"@@chibbyylol
@@lklpalkaThis is why I won’t pay a huge premium for a Toyota. I have owned my share and still own one. But its a huge myth that they never break. They are probably more reliable in general, but it depends on the model and how long you want to own them. Its generally non mechanic types who think any car is 100% bulletproof.
@@briancoleman971 Dad had a 88 Camry that just wouldn't quit, mom a 92 Corolla, I had a used 94 Camry that was 8 years old, we all loved them, major miles and no problems to speak of. They really were great. And then I bought the '08 Highlander new :)
You did a phenomenal job job on my Highlander yesterday . It’s driving sooo smooth after the 30000 mi service. . It was performed 4 ahead of schedule . By the way great video
I have the Lesux version of that... thing runs like a top, gets decent mpg, but sounds like a sewing machine on a good day and like a diesel on every other day.
if I use the cruise control and it's feathering the throttle, it'll clack the valves, and turn on the christmas tree lights. reset computer, don't use cruise, don't see again until I use cruise. weird enough.
I would like to thank you for all your knowledge when selecting a new car. Last year I purchased a RX-350 with the last of the 6 cylinder engines. Then after watching your video on the LC 500 I decided that it was time to sell my Corvette, Cadillac CTS-V, and my Plymouth Prowler. The LC convertible is definitely a great automobile. Both are Nora green and look great side by side. Your videos are definitely addicting.Keep up the good work!
An artist at work. I watch his videos anytime I can. I was considering buying a 2011 RAV4 with V6 but not sure now. Water pump and oil lines aren’t too bad but this cold start rattle and the cause of it…Geez.
Just a comment on the rusty paint on the axle. I've seen simmilar and as you can see in the video, the cracking is starting under ruber balancer. After the paint cracks, water and dirt is collected under the rubber and starts to erode the axel itself. Had a snapped axel from this and it looked like it was a sharpened pencil.
I am not even a mechanic or even someone who dables in maintenance but I find these videos so calming and I love the review/overview videos as well....Yes I love cars though!!!!
Thank you car care nut for making these comprehensive videos in this style. If you ever get one in the shop could you make a similar video on Lexus ES 2002-2006 model as these cars are becoming less and less common with the 3MZFE engine
As a Arizona owner of 2010 Rav4 AWD that is a garage queen with 115K on the clock I find this video very informative and am thankful to Mr. Car Care Nut for sharing his expertise.
Very interesting to watch this one. When people think about rust on their cars it often gets overlooked that there is more to it than cosmetic problems like bubbling paint, holes in the panels, or structural problems like the frame weakening/eventually falling apart. Active rust prevention helps your mechanic do his job/helps you do your diy job with minimal complication. This can save you money long term if you intend to keep the car on the road for decades. Any of the oily sprays or gels or waxes applied annually will make a world of difference. Just not the rubberized coating. Yeah even if you had it applied day 1 off the dealership lot. I hate that rubberized coating for a variety of reasons. The spray on stuff like Krown, Fluid Film, Corrosion Free, Woolwax (I think that's what it's called) is fine. I don't care which one you pick as long as you coat it on once a year.
I have a 2005 Avalon with 180k on it and this thing is a sleeper. It has a little more power than the following years. Still doesn’t burn any oil and sounds pretty good. It definitely keeps up with modern times
I am new to the channel and know nothing about mechanics, but I love watching these videos. Such an amazing man at explaining things and very skilled. Please keep your videos coming. I am a fan.
Took my 2008 Highlander Sport in for the rattle on cold start. Dealer added sound deadening to the cowl so we didn’t hear it. Years later I had catastrophic engine failure. Dealer wouldn’t honor the TSB. Almost 9k for a used engine. Not happy with Toyota dealers at all.
When did you take it in? The (T-SB-0094-09) document I found only held true for 60 months from date of first use or 60,000 miles, whichever came first. If the first time you took it in was before the TSB cutoff, then the dealer would be at fault for not honoring the TSB. However if you passed 60 months or 60,000 miles, it's on you.
@@FSM_Reviews took it in the first year at about 18,000 for the noisy start. They added insulation and we didn’t hear it unless the windows weee down. Dealer said that was normal. We asked again just before the bumper to bumper warranty expired. They addressed a few concerns, but not that.
If I was getting that leak fixed you're about the only mechanic I would trust doing that job. You should certify Toyota shops you feel meet your high standards.
I would think the head gaskets start leaking from acidic coolant (lack of coolant services) and not salt. Gaskets still leak in south with no salt use??
I just wanna say thank you for everything you do. We have 08 Sienna and I did watch the whole video so I can do my best to keep our Van for as long as possible.
Took total care of it, easy driving, always dealer maintenance.......only 123,000 miles on mine and it just siezed up a few days ago on the hwy. Ran great and 4 minutes later my worst nightmare with blinking engine light and sudden death. No rattle, no leaks, just internal instant death. Mechanic has no explanation for me on why it died other then wont crank and plugs melted. Life is hell with no wheels. Stress beyond belief. Great engine my ass. Now looking for used engine for the 2009 Rav4 and praying mechanic can actually replace it in 3 or 4 days as he said he could.
This guy is a Toyotas doctor. He’s a blessing
Not just only a pg doctor, but a specialist. 😅😅😅😅
I would know. His shop has worked on my Avalon in the past. Yes, when I saw AMD greeting me, I got excited. 😂
Yes but his prices is way too high. I understand why dealership prices are high because they have multiple bays. Multiple employees multiple different types of overhead cost at the same time. This guy is nice and charging dealership prices..
@@ctbt1832 But you know it's going to be done right.
horrible engine compared to the honda j series v6
An Absolute Master Class. And should be mandatory viewing by any serious Toyota apprentice that wants this career. A fine mix of the technical and the practical approaches to these repair/replace issues and the value of the honest customer relationship. Kudos to AMD and the entire team~!
👏👏👏👏
I've always loved my toyota Trucks SUV's and Sedán models , but I had additionally a hunch about the design and assembly of new siennas engine and their material. It happens to be after the Sunnami in Japan automakers manufacturers plants and their flaws when cities got flodded affecting a millions of frames and chasis. Here is the result aftermath. 😬
He reminds me of the Volvo mechanic on Seinfeld.
Beautiful video and always interesting to watch your tutorials anytime
Thank u 🙏🏻
This technology will be obsolete, what we need is training on electrical and sensor operation within the automotive world. This is legacy information that will only be applicable for a little bit, most customer will not do this kind of job.
I work 12 hour shift and i play this channel on the background and listen to it on my Bluetooth earphones . Better than music. God bless and long live AMD. also stay genuine forever. Dont let anyone buy you. This is why we love your channel
As a former mechanic/technician I must say this man is as good as can be expected, in other words he is excellent in what he does. His knowledge and experience is evident. The attention to details is really what repair and maintenance is all about. I would trust this guy.
I have this engine in my 2010 Rav4. Its packed in this 3rd generation engine bay. Ive got 133k on it now and had the waterpump replaced 1500 miles ago that had been rattling for years, but never leaked coolant. Its so quiet now, it purrs.
I love this one with this engine, it has incredible torque and im glad its a 4x4 because i read where the 2x4 with this big engine has really bad steering torque.
This thing in the 3rd gen rav4 2006 to 2012 is a beast. It actually makes my anxiety go up because im used to smaller engines and this 3.5 has 270 hp. Ive replaced the coil packs and plugs myself, but i could have never replaced the waterpump on this thing and let the toyota dealer do it for $1050 and worth it.
Im the second owner and got it with 89k miles and have changed the oil every 3k to 3.5k miles each time using genuine toyota oil filter and full synthetic 5w30 castrol oil and its never had a leak of any kind. Its done me really good and im impressed.
Thanks for the great videos you are the most explicit, informative and thorough mechanic i have ever witnessed.
I always brag to people about the engine in those feel stronger especially with the lower gear ratio in the rav4. I work on them daily but it’s always water pumps and cover leaks, the usual. Great vehicles.
I had a guy replace it for $250 he did take like 5hrs. Gave him $300 it is a tough job.
I appreciate the fact that though he is a big Toyota/Lexus loyalist, he is still critical of design flaws, and any issues encountered when working on these vehicles.
100% agree on the broken parts thing, this is why I stopped taking on any old job after going my own way and started working strictly by referral only, for people I know who know me who take the time and appreciation to listen to details about the job, even when it's the sort of person whose face glazes over at technical stuff, I like knowing that they know "shit happens". It has served me well and gained lifetime customers! They know and love the concept of "it's not that I don't love you, I just don't want to see you again" (If we're doing this, it's getting done right!)
I quit mechanic cause it's just not worth the stress these days. Good to see you found a way around it though. Good luck
@@Richard-xv7yf can definitely understand and relate to that, burnout is real and lone mechanics don't really have any resources for dealing with it. It stacks up. Combined with today's absolutely ridiculous high cost of certain cheaply designed and manufactured parts that shouldn't fail to begin with.. having to have "that talk" with a customer (ahem Ford & Chrysler garbage)
My wife bought a 2010 venza v6 awd. 4 years ago. Best car we've ever had. But as a chevy guy, I had no confidence working on this toyota beyond oil changes.
This man is a professor, literally teaching everyone for free. Speaks so clearly, even a dodge guy could understand.
I watch every video from start to finish and can't wait for the next one. So friendly, you can't help but like him.
He's like a heart surgeon, but only for one kind of human 😊 but you can take his advice and apply it to any modern vehicle.
The cost isn't main thing for me, it's finding a quality shop to do the job.
You are a genius of the Toyota engine world. A man of your integrity and pure knowledge is irreplaceable. Congratulations on a job well done.
The world would be a better place if there were more people like him.
A lot of people don't have pride in their work nowadays, today mediocracy is the standard. ☹️
He probably thinks the same thing
This guys is the epitome of a Toyota master mechanic. I wish I could have someone like this work on my car whenever needed… that way, I KNOW the job will be done right and I’m not getting scammed on a repair.
I imagine how cool it is for the owner to watch this video. The Car Care Nut is a good mechanic not only because of his knowledge, but also because he himself love his cars to a point which a non car guy would consider as mental illness. He cares, that's why he can repair the car as if is his own. I absolutely love this channel!
I work on Toyota and Honda down in Nigeria and I'd say, you're at the apex of your information. These engines are bulletproof and very difficult to destroy if maintained. You've done great, Namaste 👏
I find this channel and its delivery therapeutic. It's hard to not get sucked into watching the whole thing. Hugely educational, masterfully documented, and just a joy to watch. We all dream of finding a mechanic like him.
I just clicked onto this video randomly because I like his channel. Turns out the answer to my cold start issue in my tacoma is right here. Not happy about the repair needed, but super glad the problem has a known source now. Two dealerships couldn't figure it out.
😂 same thing here...he manages to get me to watch the V6 disassembly till the end...even I had no interest in the V6 in the first place. But I’m a technical guy after all.
You are a freaking GENIUS your customers are EXTREMELY lucky to have you repairing their cars. I am an old guy 67 and I know the value of experience. You cannot put a price on those skills.Thank You
Our 2010 Highlander has this motor and I am advising my daughter to get in to a 2012-2015 rx350 Im watching this video and a couple other CCN 2GR-FE videos multiple times. Great educational tool. I would seriously consider driving 1500miles to this shop for a job like this. Great stuff sir !
Such a great engine! My 07 es350 just passed 200K and this guy has helped so much with advice. I had my nephew buy an 08 es (even though I was pushing for 2010 or later to get all the 2GR updates CCN mentions in this video). Trying to convince my sister to buy one too and my mom will be trading a 2016 jeep compass to get an rx or es that's a little bit older than hers.
My 2008 Highlander has 247k miles and no start up rattle. Change the oil every 5k miles with fully synthetic. No oil usage between changes. Had blue puff of smoke on first morning start up from valve seals. AT-205 Reseal fixed that. Thanks AMD for all your technical information, you are amazing!
But yours won't go up for sale anytime soon. Most that are for sale probably have that rattle.
@@Krakondack most likely from negligence on their maintenance. You see it all the time, people with lousy sounding engines are the ones that never change their oil and then complain about the vehicle needing some kind of major service.
@@frankbizthat must be it. Toyota couldn’t possibly have a problem. Like when some of their vehicles took off and couldn’t be stopped until it crashed. It was a “floor mat” problem. Lol
My 2009 Venza XLE also have this engine and, like your no issues with the engine. Not a single oil drop lost. I am beating your, mine have 257,000 miles. Just like you changing synthetic oil every 5000 miles. I am targeting the 300,000 miles. We like it so much that even though we have newer cars we refuse to sell it. The new Toyotas aren’t this reliable.
@@ericpizarro3084 that's great. I'm keeping and seeing how far it will go. I'm sure the new Highlanders with the turbo 4 cylinder won't last as long. I'm sure the turbo will go out before 150k.
Why can't we have a mechanic like him in New Jersey? He's amazing.
This guy is a genius. Incredible skill and intellect. It is striking how extremely complex modern cars are. It is a wonder that they are as reliable as they are.
I was NOT expecting the engine to come out the BOTTOM of the car! I've worked on aerospace navigation equipment, but you make me nervous. Respect, sir.
Pretty typical when engine and tranny are removed lol
Rustyland is where cars get metal cancer. Wow, I have never seen so much rust on a car throughout the underside. Incredible delicate Toyota vehicle surgeon skills you and the team have brother Ahmed.
I don't live near Rustyland but if I do, I know where to go. Great breakdown repair video!
May the Lord continue to watch over and bless you, your family and the employees.
Funny thing is this amount of rust is what I'd call moderate. It can be way waaaaaaay worse.
Rust = Neglect Here in Ontario we use salt on the roads from November until the end of March or early April. My 18 year old car is rust free because it is given the proper preventative maintenance ie rustproofing each year.
That’s minor rust for a car of that age, seen by far worse on daily drivers
Really appreciate the sheer amount of effort you put into your videos. Would love to maybe see a 3UR-FE refresh video someday. Keep up the good work! Thank you for the awesome content!
The 5.7L V8 😍
Cam Towers video
You are a credit to the car tech industry! A true professional! Entertaining and passing on knowledge. Entertaining is the key to success on RUclips aside from expertise.
This is as professional as it gets as a technician. I would love to meet him one day.
Me too, and I'm in South Africa
I met AMD a few weeks back when I had my ES350 in his shop for maintenance the first time and he spent some time with me explaining everything…he is not only a superb technician but a true pro and a gentleman.
I wish he could convinced that he needs to move North Florida!
That overhead shot as you raise the vehicle with the engine on the cradle is SO COOL. It’s like watching an Apollo rocket stage detaching.
My 2008 ES 350 had 101,000 at purchase. Soon after, I heard that rattle for a couple of seconds, and a few weeks later I heard it again. Between the first and second rattle I had the oil changed tho it looked real good. Using full synthetic and a premium filter, changing every 5000 miles. Another thirty months and 21,000 miles, and all is well.
Could you share the oil information? My car has the same problem.
Really, any synthetic should do the trick. Do not use an oil with a viscosity number that is higher than what is recommended by the manufacturer. Maybe change it at 3000 a couple of times and use a premium WIX filter. If it still rattles upon start-up, you may have a problem that will require a repair shop. @@cacashichung8974
@@cacashichung8974 Amsoil Synthetic Signature Series is probably the best oil on earth, expensive but superior quality, they actually guarantee it for 25,000 miles
the 2.7 Iron Block 2TR-FE is the KING!
Indestructible and stupid easy to work on
These are my favorite videos. Love the teardown and seeing it go back together with any of the known issues repaired and ready for a long road trip. Thank you.
We have a 2012 Highlander with this engine. It’s awesome. 200,000 miles and doesn’t use any oil. Absolutely no issues ever with the vehicle.
So glad to hear this. We have a 2012 also, with only 86,000 miles. I plan to keep it indefinitely. Purchased in 2016 with 49,000 miles. It has been such a good car. A bulb burned out, but that’s all we’ve had to do so far in 7 years. Haven’t noticed any rattling on startup.
We have a 2015 Highlander also with this engine with 150k, everytime it just starts up ready to go
Good to know. Apparently our '09 Highlander with 49k miles may have a few miles left
you're right. this is reliable engine So, if it ain't broke why fix it? 7000 dollars down to the drain
Did you guys have any of the common issues like mentioned in this ideo?
Not only his techno skills and knowledge are incredible, his narration style is superbe ! He’s one of those guys you could listen to for hours ...
I’ve changed the vvt gears without removing the engine, it’s a little tricky and stressful getting the internal tensioner bolted back in but it can be done for anyone wondering. He obviously did it the correct way bc he was resealing the timing cover that was leaking. I had to do this during the early years of this engine especially on the Avalon with the rattle at startup. I’m late to this guys channel but major respect from one Toyota MDT to another!! This guy knows how to repair these vehicles.
This is THE best content I’ve seen on RUclips, hands down.
I’ll be DIYing the external head gasket leak soon, and this video will save me close to $5000 in dealership repairs.
AMD, thank you for sharing your expertise! Please keep this kind of content coming 😊.
That's odd, my 2005 Avalon still runs smooth and like new at 175K miles with no variable valve timing issues. I change my oil every 5K with synthetic and so far so good knock on wood. Thanks for sharing your video, it was a pleasure watching a pro mechanic at work.
Was your Avalon assembled in Japan or North America? There is a difference in quality.
@@joelopez40oz23
My Avalon was assembled in Kentucky and it has its issues like timing chain cover is leaking oil from one particular spot (many 2gr-fe engines have similar problem). Valve covers are leaking oil and sun roof stopped working long time ago because the plastic rollers jammed sideways. Other than that, it still runs strong and smooth without Variable valve timing issues. I keep up on maintenance myself by doing regular oil changes, transmission drain and fill, water pump replacement, radiator flush, CV boots when they start leaking, and spark plugs with new coils. Replaced alternator at 115k miles. Don’t get me wrong, my Avalon is not perfect and can use more maintenance but it runs great at the moment. I try not to abuse my cars and it lasts me longer than for most folks. Keep in mind that I live in California and our cars don’t rust here like other states so most of our vehicles look fairly clean and rust free underneath. The only thing we worry about here is thermal breakdowns from the heat. Not sure how long I’ll keep it but if some type of major repairs come up and the cost of fixing it outweighs the price of the car then I’ll think about replacing it.
When I see you with 3.5L, I can’t hit LIKE fast enough!!! Thank you
2GR-FE VVTI rattle prevention tip - look at your owner's manual. This engine requires 6 quarts of oil, not 5. Monitor your oil level.
I am an original owner of a 2007 Sienna with this engine. Still running well with over 230,000 miles.
Good to hear because I just bought a 2007 rx350 with 155K. For the price I would be happy to get another 100k out of it😊
Love watching you work on the 2GR-FE! Thanks
For bulletproofing this engine and time spent $7k is very reasonable, and getting it done by you is worth some money to,excellent video AMD.
Quoted price was extremely reasonable. Great video and great shop and mechanic. It does not get any better than this. I have a 2008 Lexus 400H with 175, 000 miles. It has timing belts and electric water pump. Outside of maintenance - No issues, no leaks. Solid engine. Maintenance has been done on schedule, pretty much.
As an owner of a 2011 Avalon, every video you do on the 2GR is just so incredibly valuable to me. I cling to every word. Thanks for being so thorough and not shaving down the content, I like the longer videos.
Me Too!
Well said
Me too
The oil line got me on my 2011 Highlander Hybrid. I had no idea since I wasn’t following this channel back then. Fortunately the wife pulled over and no engine damage.
I purchased a 2015 highlander and unfortunately i did not watch his video before i purchased it and sure every common problem he mentioned developed later on on the car i was able to identify the issue because of all the info i got after watching his video. brother my respects you really know what you are doing.
Love these teardown and rebuild videos! I had a 2011 4WD Highlander with the 2GR-FE and it was totaled in an accident in May of this year. Loved that SUV with the full time AWD. Great in snow. Very little issues. No VVTI noises, quiet motor, and the original water pump at 195K miles when I said goodby. Bought a 21 Highlander AWD Platinum and honestly I would rather have the 2011 back. New highlanders have soo many electronic nannys and the drive is very isolated. Anyway, again, appreciate TCCN vids!
Toyotas have always been about isolating the noise, the ride, and handling so the car does the work and you steer and keep it safely on the road. Love my 09 highlander with 178k miles. Did radiator in 22 and alternator recently. No oil leaks no head or valve cover or front cover leaks. Japan build is worthwhile
@@Michael-db4sn- Sooo, our '09 Highlander with 49k miles should hold together for a while... good to know.
@@beergold You likely have a known issue which is the final drive in the transmission. Many of the Toyota V6 transmissions with the 2GR-FE (including RAV4s, etc) had whining that would develop around the speed you are describing and go away at higher speeds. I had that exact issue with my 2011 and the only repair is to replace the transsaxle with rebuilt one (which I had done under warranty.) The issue is the factory honing on the final drive gears was not correct. The noise will not hurt anything and likely will not get much worse with time. Don't bother with fluid changes or heavier fluids. That will not fix the issue. Just run it and change the fluid as you normally would with maintenance.
@beergold Wow. A lot going on there! Unfortunately, the final drive is the first piece that goes in a transaxle. That is why Toyota just replaces the whole thing. You have to take everything out just to get to it. I suppose a transmission shop could do it but still wouldn't be cheap. The reason I mentioned RAV4 in my first post is because I had a 2007 with the same problem but out of warranty. I just lived with it. When I bought the Highlander I was hyper aware and listening. You may end up having to sell it if it bothers you too much.
@@beergold Once you hit that big nugget and get a few ounces, you can get a new transmission! Be careful buying from a junk yard as many of these make noise and you have no way to tell if it does or not in a junk yard. Could be a big waste of money. Best of luck!
All I need to see is how immaculately clean your shop is. It’s a sign of pride. My dad preached that taking care of anything you own will pay you back in spades. I was easily influenced in this regard, and I wouldn’t have it any other way! Love your vids. My family and I are Toyota and Lexus fans.
You are the only mechanic I would allow to work on my beloved 4Runner.
I owned 3 Lexus sedans with the 2GR. A 2008 Lexus ES 350, a 2019 Lexus ES 350 and currently 2019 Lexus GS 350. All of them have served me well. The 2008 developed a VVTi rattle on some cold starts after ~130k miles but that went away went I switched to Mobil1 "high-mileage" full synthetic. The 2019 ES 350 was the quietest of the bunch and had the best fuel economy. The 2019 GS 350 has the most power and best sound but the worst fuel economy. I love Toyota/Lexus V6 engines and I'm saddened that they are slowly being phased away for the inferior turbocharged 4-bangers.
As a Lexus user I will buy the older Lexus with the proven 2GRFE any time instead of throwing away my money on some crappy low life turbo 😅
Any kept long enough to have oil leak issues?
@@tristan2332 Oil leak? No. The 2008 did develop a power steering fluid leak at around 12 years old due to rust from road salt.
@little123456788 Good to know. Had an 06 Rav that developed oil leak around 200k miles. Current 13 ES 125k miles no leak. That timing cover leak seems is biggest issue with 2Gr and that's hit and miss with this engine.
I hope I never have to this sort of repair on my 2012 Rav4 V6. Currently at 173,000 miles and still running great. Awesome video!
I just picked up a 2010 RAV4 V6 with 90,000 miles it’s a blast to drive. I raised a WRX and he barely beat me lol
@@MrScoobiemanI picked a 2012 v6 rav4 from Ohio and drove it all the way to Arizona. I raced a BMW 750li and I beat him. A Range Rover pulled behind me and too close and as soon as I gunned my rav4, I put 6 car’s length on him. I raced a highlander as well and I beat it. The rav4 horse power is underrated I believe. The bmw driver was shocked. As soon as I let those cars pass by, they stay at my rear and wondered what I have under the hood, 😂 they then fly by.
I do circuit board repair for customers and I always explain when providing them a quote that the quote is based on a perfect scenario. If there’s other damage there will be an additional charge but I will inform them first.
I always try to start with worst case scenario and down from there so when it ends being a cheap easy fix they're delighted to know it could have been way worse, and not completely shocked when it is worst case - plan for the worst but hope for the best. It's the only way I know to keep it real with some types of people
Even if you're across the Atlantic from me and talking mostly about Toyotas and Lexus'es (owning an old Opel myself). I still highly enjoy your videos, such rational thinking, clear wording and such good logic and conclusions, it's soo soothing to just listening to your voice and at the same time quietly nodding in agreement at you, by myself here at home.
I had a 04 Corolla for 12 years, I loved that car but when it started to develop transmission problems I had to get rid of it. So in 2016 I bought a SIENNA 7 years later I still have it
And have u done the necessary transmission services on that sienna so u won't loss that Trans again ? Lol
You, sir, are awesome. I have a 2012 Highlander Limited and I believe a 2GR-FE Rev. 3. Approaching 200K. I've always been a stickler about oil and filters and now feel a bit better. Your oratory skills are fantastic and I just loved seeing it down to the component level. I'll be listening very carefully for the start up rattle. Now I have to do both rear struts and sway bar which all of sudden seems pretty managable. Much respect!
AMD, You've got to save every 2GR-FE that you can! 😁😉
I was definitely lucky. I had a 2013 Highlander & I got 237K highway miles out of it, only did full synthetic oil changes at EVERY 10K mikes religiously at the dealership. miles. Engine never left me, I did have to replace the radiator at 230K miles. No hoses, belts, spark plugs, no water pump, just engine air filter and cabin filter. Transmission never serviced. I was truly lucky. Your videos are excellent. Great 👍🏾 work.
Another interesting video, you always do a great job. This is especially interesting to me since I had an '08 with the startup rattle. Sadly, no dealer would fix it even at 44K without it costing me $6,800 so I moved on. I'd still buy a very used Toyota for really cheap, but not another new one. My experience tells me all mfg's are pretty much the same now.
You bought the first model year of the 2gr-fe in the highlander, hiccups happen
You'd buy a USED Toyota? No way for me. You have no idea how the previous owner maintained the vehicle and as the man said, it's all about maintaining your Toyota. It's like Russian Roulette and 3 triggers have already been pulled. I'm not sure if we'd buy another Toyota after our Rav4 had the oil line failure and the VVT rattle, but we found a premo Subaru Ascent for a decent price so we got that. The issue for me with Toyota is, while the dealer did the line for free, they would not put the all metal line on in place of the rubber one (even after I bought it from a Canadian Toyota dealer). And since we lost so much oil from the rubber line rupture I am convince that is what shortened the life of our VVT gear. (I maintained the car flawlessly for 15 years, only premium fully synthetic oil and OEM Toyota filters.) Toyota really should have replaced the VVT gear when they did the rubber line replacement under warranty, but they would not. So that has soured me on Toyota a little bit. (Especially after watching this video.) Other than that, our Rav4 has been fantastic with only 1 water pump, lots of brake pads and many, many bearings replaced. (We do tow, so that that explains the brakes and bearings.) 220,000 miles and now it's parked waiting for the money to do this job. We really do love the car, but we feel Toyota kinda cheated us on this issue. We really take very good care of our vehicles.
Look inside the driver door and see if was made in Japan.
@@guruofendtimes819 It's long gone. I sold it to a Toyota dealer before the warranty ran out. It was made in Japan.
You have to buy at the end of the cycle not the beginning. I just got a 23 Tacoma. The last year of the 3rd gen. If you look at the first year(2016) it had all the issues. If you buy year 1 or 2 of a new vehicle you are basically being a beta tester for the company. Same thing with the Nissan frontier 2nd gen(2005-2019). From 2005-2009 they had a lot of serious issues. But the 2010 and ups are very reliable trucks. Buying the first years of a new vehicle is risky. You want the best version not the worst.
I have a 2014 GS350 F Sport with this engine (a variant of it) and am very thankful for this video. This is a great engine as long as you do the routine maintenance. All I’ve ever had to replace on her is the driver side front CV axle. I wished Lexus still made the GS. Keep up the good work!
Another satisfied customer AMD!!
KUDOS to you and blessings my friend. Another job well done!
I have a 2010 Rav4 with a 2GR-FE with 130K miles. I think I'll have nightmares after watching this video!
This car has always had oil changes at 5K miles with full synthetic. Virtually zero oil consumption in 5K miles and ZERO startup rattle. I'm going to switch the oil change interval to 4K miles and hope for the best.
I get so excited when a new video comes out! Thank You AMD
Regarding the customer who had done his homework and wanted to move forward with this project, I have always maintained that having the job done right the first time is worth every penny, as long as the vehicle is worth it. It sounds to me like $7K for this vehicle with its low miles of 98K is definitely worth. No way can you replace that vehicle for only $7K right now. Peace of mind with a pro like AMD doing the job is a blessing all by itself. Thanks, AMD, for your effort and professionalism.
That is how I take care of my cars. At a certain time, i do an overhaul. Just like what we do on aircrafts. TBO. Time before overhaul. Thank you so much for doing this! I learned a lot!
I had the 1mzfe in my 03 Highlander. Great engine as long as you change the oil regularly. The thing I loved best about it was, that it was a non- interference engine.
yes but if your car doesnt overheat the belts are fine for 100,000
although low on power i would still choose the 1mz over the 2gre .. due to its simplicity and durability ... don't have to worry about oil cooler lines bursting of head gasket leaks vvti gears misbehaving and water pump going south under 100,000 mi.
Just thinking back to rebuilding my old Chevy 283 and how simple they were and how few parts there were in the whole engine. Watching him disassemble the engine and remembering where each part went in reassembly is simply amazing.
Love the conversation about "who pays?" when things go south with old parts and components being taken apart.
I also wonder about how things should be handled when a misdiagnosis occurs. Should the customer still be charged for the parts and/or labor when parts are installed and then found out didn't solve or contribute to problem the customer wanted fixed?
If your car is in great condition and you can revise the motor for 7k, it is worth it. Considering what a new vehicle goes for, yes, worth it. Plus, the level of care and attention to detail is above board! I would travel cross country to have him perform this level of work on my car.
Great Video as usual! I have a 16 ES350 with 97k. It has been perfect except it has developed the coolant leak here in NY. Estimates are around 5k dollars but in 10k miles I have lost less than a cup!
I only wish there are more mechanics like you, honest and knowledgeable!
Man that looked like a really clean engine on the inside I think the owners are doing their oil changes right. Great video AMD! Interesting to see this video after I watched @Idocars take down a core engine.
Not all techs are created the same. This one is the exception. He is a rare breed. A great deal of training and experience.
Slight rattle on cold start, not every time. 2007 sienna, 210k, rubber hose lines upgraded to full metal ones. appreciate your videos and expertise.
Have u done the chain yet ? Lol
Great video as always. One suggestion is once you have the subframe down with all this rust, I would just use a wirebrush on all the rusty areas that are easily accessible, particularly with the subframe removed, and then spray it with some rustoleum flat black. This is not something mechaniscs normally do, but if I was a customer living in a rust belt I would pay a little extra to have my mechanic do this. Using fluidfilm may be a good idea as well. I have an highlander myself and live in the rustbelt and once per year I lift the car up and touch up any rustspots with flat black rustoleum. Anyone looking under the car may be wondering why there is black overspray on the engine and transmission, but this does do a good job of slowing down rusting significantly.
Fluid film marine grade grease is the only only only thing I've found that works without issue unless you go the sand and prime route. FF liquid AR is ok but not durable enough. Their marine grease rocks. It ain't going away once you smear it on.
If there's ever an argument for the Extended Warranty,"THIS IS IT". YES THE ONE THAT IS 50 MILES LONG.
Yes I love Toyotas as I own a HILUX and it's quite bulletproof. Yes it's a 2.4 Diesel, I change the oil and filter every 3500 miles. Yes I'm that old. I love your content and expertise that are beyond reproach. You are the man. The work involved here to accomplish this is tantamount to a surgeon having to work through the patient rectum to repair his elbow. YES ENGINEERS CAN DO BETTER AND MUST.
KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK.
Ahmad thank very very much for this particular video. It answered all of my questions. I remember we talked in the past about rattling on cold start etc. But this video covers also the causes, consequences of running low on oil. Brilliant job and I love your approach on educating DIY mechanics!
Nice. Learning allot about the Toyo family through your video's. I'm prepping to buy a used one, and the input and history you are providing us is hugely important.
I’m a Toyota fan and own 2 as daily drivers. Honestly, if I had to spend $7,000 for repairs at less than 100k miles, I would be seriously disappointed and be looking at other manufacturers. My 2014 Venza (2GRFE w/ 110k+ mikes) and my 2020 Tacoma (V6 w/ 17k miles) are late production run models that hopefully had all their quirks worked out and will provide years of trouble free operation.
Most of the things here seem more preventative maintenance as the main issue I believe he said was the VVTi issue
Illinois salt really starts to take its toll at the 15 to 20 year old cars. Another 5 years on the road this car will start rusting out and at the 20 year mark you just have to cross your fingers.
Dealers told me it doesn't matter. I did 3K dealer oil changes, vvti cold start rattle happened anyway at 44K. It's 'do you feel lucky...punk'? They refused to fix it under warranty. "normal"@@chibbyylol
@@lklpalkaThis is why I won’t pay a huge premium for a Toyota. I have owned my share and still own one. But its a huge myth that they never break. They are probably more reliable in general, but it depends on the model and how long you want to own them. Its generally non mechanic types who think any car is 100% bulletproof.
@@briancoleman971
Dad had a 88 Camry that just wouldn't quit, mom a 92 Corolla, I had a used 94 Camry that was 8 years old, we all loved them, major miles and no problems to speak of. They really were great. And then I bought the '08 Highlander new :)
You did a phenomenal job job on my Highlander yesterday . It’s driving sooo smooth after the 30000 mi service. . It was performed 4 ahead of schedule . By the way great video
It’s so enjoyable watching a MASTER at work ! ! !
You, your videos, are worth their weight in gold. “A watchmaker of big stuff!”
I have the Lesux version of that... thing runs like a top, gets decent mpg, but sounds like a sewing machine on a good day and like a diesel on every other day.
glad I don't have that cold start rattle, wow...
@@DaveSomething174k miles on mine. The cold start rattle wont destroy the engine. Its a noisy engine.
@@Michael-db4sn I've hit 155k, but it sounds like a Dodge 4 cylinder! I average 24mpg, doesn't use oil, so long as I use 10w30.
if I use the cruise control and it's feathering the throttle, it'll clack the valves, and turn on the christmas tree lights. reset computer, don't use cruise, don't see again until I use cruise. weird enough.
I would like to thank you for all your knowledge when selecting a new car. Last year I purchased a RX-350 with the last of the 6 cylinder engines. Then after watching your video on the LC 500 I decided that it was time to sell my Corvette, Cadillac CTS-V, and my Plymouth Prowler. The LC convertible is definitely a great automobile. Both are Nora green and look great side by side. Your videos are definitely addicting.Keep up the good work!
Always have my attention when it comes to the 2gr 👌🏼
An artist at work. I watch his videos anytime I can. I was considering buying a 2011 RAV4 with V6 but not sure now. Water pump and oil lines aren’t too bad but this cold start rattle and the cause of it…Geez.
Just a comment on the rusty paint on the axle. I've seen simmilar and as you can see in the video, the cracking is starting under ruber balancer. After the paint cracks, water and dirt is collected under the rubber and starts to erode the axel itself. Had a snapped axel from this and it looked like it was a sharpened pencil.
I am not even a mechanic or even someone who dables in maintenance but I find these videos so calming and I love the review/overview videos as well....Yes I love cars though!!!!
Thank you car care nut for making these comprehensive videos in this style. If you ever get one in the shop could you make a similar video on Lexus ES 2002-2006 model as these cars are becoming less and less common with the 3MZFE engine
As a Arizona owner of 2010 Rav4 AWD that is a garage queen with 115K on the clock I find this video very informative and am thankful to Mr. Car Care Nut for sharing his expertise.
Awesome video! Thanks for sharing AMD and the crew! Also, thank you for bringing my blood pressure down. I own a 2015 Sienna. 🙂
How many miles do you have on your sienna? I have a 2015 Sienna too. 115K miles
@@lazizboss5628 I have 108k miles.
Hats off to you manj, I wish all mechanics followed your example. Your one out of a thousand every mechanic I had work done has ripped me off
Very interesting to watch this one. When people think about rust on their cars it often gets overlooked that there is more to it than cosmetic problems like bubbling paint, holes in the panels, or structural problems like the frame weakening/eventually falling apart. Active rust prevention helps your mechanic do his job/helps you do your diy job with minimal complication. This can save you money long term if you intend to keep the car on the road for decades. Any of the oily sprays or gels or waxes applied annually will make a world of difference. Just not the rubberized coating. Yeah even if you had it applied day 1 off the dealership lot. I hate that rubberized coating for a variety of reasons. The spray on stuff like Krown, Fluid Film, Corrosion Free, Woolwax (I think that's what it's called) is fine. I don't care which one you pick as long as you coat it on once a year.
Agreed!!
I have a 2005 Avalon with 180k on it and this thing is a sleeper. It has a little more power than the following years. Still doesn’t burn any oil and sounds pretty good. It definitely keeps up with modern times
Very informative. I want you to work on my 09’ ES350!
I am new to the channel and know nothing about mechanics, but I love watching these videos. Such an amazing man at explaining things and very skilled. Please keep your videos coming. I am a fan.
Took my 2008 Highlander Sport in for the rattle on cold start. Dealer added sound deadening to the cowl so we didn’t hear it. Years later I had catastrophic engine failure. Dealer wouldn’t honor the TSB. Almost 9k for a used engine. Not happy with Toyota dealers at all.
When did you take it in? The (T-SB-0094-09) document I found only held true for 60 months from date of first use or 60,000 miles, whichever came first.
If the first time you took it in was before the TSB cutoff, then the dealer would be at fault for not honoring the TSB. However if you passed 60 months or 60,000 miles, it's on you.
@@FSM_Reviews took it in the first year at about 18,000 for the noisy start. They added insulation and we didn’t hear it unless the windows weee down. Dealer said that was normal. We asked again just before the bumper to bumper warranty expired. They addressed a few concerns, but not that.
If I was getting that leak fixed you're about the only mechanic I would trust doing that job. You should certify Toyota shops you feel meet your high standards.
I would think the head gaskets start leaking from acidic coolant (lack of coolant services) and not salt. Gaskets still leak in south with no salt use??
There are VERY few honest mechanics unfortunalty. Thank you for being the honest and excellent mechanic that you are my friend. GOD BLESS YOU!!
Learned a hard lesson. Only use Denso coil packs for Cylinder 1, 3, 5, or else expect to do the job again in less than a year.
Agreed.
I just wanna say thank you for everything you do. We have 08 Sienna and I did watch the whole video so I can do my best to keep our Van for as long as possible.
Thank you for all you do. Your channel is a Godsend.
Took total care of it, easy driving, always dealer maintenance.......only 123,000 miles on mine and it just siezed up a few days ago on the hwy. Ran great and 4 minutes later my worst nightmare with blinking engine light and sudden death. No rattle, no leaks, just internal instant death. Mechanic has no explanation for me on why it died other then wont crank and plugs melted. Life is hell with no wheels. Stress beyond belief. Great engine my ass. Now looking for used engine for the 2009 Rav4 and praying mechanic can actually replace it in 3 or 4 days as he said he could.
Toyota needs to hire this guy . Or just make him part of their "team" . What a Master mechanic and honest man
He worked for them for years