NewStats: 3,263,966 , 8,182,100 topics. Date: Monday, 09 June 2025 at 05:29 AM 1c4s4j

U need to stay away from such mechanics for your own good. Since you are in Lagos, call Gazzus on 08023251039 for a specific fix. It is a powertrain fault around your injector nozzles, ignition coils, spark plugs or the electrical lines supplying current to them. so it needs to be scanned to determine which.

Toyota Type WS is the grade of the ATF. If you can come to PH, call me 08033123865. Please do not let anyone convince you to remove your thermostat.

conyema12:
good day guys.

Please i just acquired this Tokumbo 2007 RAV 4, I discovered that the CEL, VSC and 4WD lights suddenly came on after it was brought down to owerri from lagos, should I be worried? and where can i get a good mechanic to handle it in owerri?

secondly, my auto-transmission fluid level is low, which brand of transmission fluid should i use to top it to avoid issues?

and finally do i need to remove the thermostat from the cooling system since our weather here is different from oyibo weather to avoid over heating the engine?

Thank you

Where are you based?

When your ac is on when ing through flood water, over time the grease on the compressor pulley gets washed of easily by the water and revolving speed of the compressor leading to its failure. Also if your fan is still at factory status, when you turn off the ac, the fan will go off making it impossible for the blades to pick debris from the flood water which can hit your condenser or radiator while revolving and cause avoidable damage. Moreover you need all the strength/compression to pull through the flood

It is a very wrong and risky practice. Get used to driving with your shoes on. But if you cannot, then make sure you throw it to the back or the enger side to avoid stories that touch the heart.

Siena:
Interesting write-up, some points I don't agree with though.

I have owned over 60 cars since 1987, with over 50 of these manual. I have never worn out a clutch, flywheel or had transmission failure. Nigerian driving styles leave a lot to be desired, if posts on Nairaland are anything to go by.

Siena that makes you a good driver, meaning that you understand how manual transmission should be operated. Read the post again. I meant that one's driving pattern will either bring about disc clutch failure or make it last as purposed by the vehicle manufacturers

A lot of people complain that manual transmissions need to be overhauled frequently because of clutch disc failure hence this post.
Causes of Clutch Disc Failure
The diagnosis as per below applies to all clutch applications.
These diagnostic comments are based on the premise that the flywheels are Ground and Machined to OE specifications. If the flywheel has not been machined when fitting a new clutch it is a given fact that premature clutch failure WILL OCCUR . Also it assumes that the clutch releasing systems are in perfect operational condition. If not these components must be replaced or repaired to OE standard.

Causes of Clutch Disc Damage Burst or Broken Facings.

Burst or broken clutch driven plate facings are caused by overstraining of the facing Matrix due to incorrect driving practice or incorrect clutch installation proceedure including adjustments, or flywheel damage.
Some examples:
Incorrect gear selection of a low gear while driving at speed causes the driven plate to accelerate instantaneously to a speed far in excess of the facing burst strength due to the multiplication of the rotation speeds of the Gearbox and or Differential Ratios. The driven plate rotation speed is independent of the engine speed.

The clutch disc exceeds its facing burst speed limit while the clutch is disengaged for gear selection, and when the clutch is re-engaged the facing can disintegrate completely. The Facing material becomes entwined and bound amongst the Pressure Plate (cover assembly) componentry and restricts the correct operation of the Clutch cover and its components.
It is not possible for the driven plate material to disintegrate while it is firmly clamped between the pressure plate and the flywheel.
Disintegration can only occur while a clutch is disengaged or slipping due to do faulty adjustment proceedure during installation.

Mis-Shifting a gear while driving at speed can also cause the plate to accelerate past its facing burst strength as per the previous paragraphs 1 & 2.

Tow-Starting or push starting a vehicle while in low Gear can cause increased rotation of the driven disc and also cause the facing material to tear away from the clutch backing plates when the clutch is suddenly engaged.

Repeated harsh clutch engagement at high engine RPM can also cause the facing material to break away from the Backing plate or damage the clutch hub the stop pins-and blow out the compression springs causing compete clutch disc failure.

Excessive clutch slippage while driving causes the facing materials to overheat resulting in disintegration and failure of Clutch Disc and Pressure plate assemblies due to contamination from the facing materials.

Simply dropping a clutch disc on the floor prior to or during installation can impact and easily crack the facing material after a short operational period.

Fitting a clutch to a vehicle which has had an engine performance modification which exceeds the designed torque ratings of the clutch and Clamp loading of the pressure plate will also cause Premature clutch failure.
Addendum:
Because the Clutch Pressure plate (Cover Assembly) is less efficient than the Flywheel as a Heat Sink the Cover side linings operating temperatures will be greater and that particular lining will be more likely to carbonize, become brittle and BURST from excessive heat damage.
Also excessive application of spline grease can spin across the clutch hub and contaminate the facings to become permanently damaged causing the clutch to slip and or shudder.

Source ~ AutoClutch Ltd.

In summary, dropping clutch disc or subjecting it to shock prior to installation, improper installation and allowing it to come in with grease or oil will bring about its failure. If your starter motor/kickstarter is faulty, repair it ASAP. But above all driving pattern is the greatest cause of clutch disc failure. I know from experience that it is possible to drive a car with manual transmission for upwards of 10 years if you understand the the rules of engagement for manual trannies or what do you great Nairalanders think?

Clutch disc

I have owned and sold 2 Camry cars but my Peugeot 406 has been with me for years (more than 5) like a good wife and I just got her a mate (607). Lions are the king. We drive with Pride

Check that sensor properly to be sure the socket is good and tight & also be sure it's properly placed cos if it's not well aligned it can be sensing the body of the car as an external object. So remove it and put it back properly

Do digital alignment and while at it, make sure mud and pebbles stuck on the tire grooves are taken off.

You can actually get a factory replacement or do you mean the universal type?

Where are you based? And what job did the Kazeem carry out on the vehicle?

Ur transmission is not expensive but a good technician can change the reverse clutch in the transmission which is where the challenge is. So u will have to choose whether to replace transmission or the reverse clutch pack

Gazzuz is right but I will strongly advise u change d catalyst. Dont drive without the cataly cos it's more expensive in the long run. However, u also need to check ur ignition coils, spark plugs , lead wires and MAF sensor and injector head but most importantly, scan the car and come back with the codes

Where are you based? If in Port Harcourt, call 08033123865. If not, tell your Mechanic to test your fuel pump pressure, fuel pressure regulator, oxygen sensors and catalytic converters

There is really no point working on assumptions. A detailed scan will narrow down the fault codes. once you have the fault/dtc , your issues will be 80% solved. So scan the car and come back here with the codes

Taken the survey

Just keep track and do normal routine services. But stick to synthetic lubricant as mineral oil will bring about sludge build up in your engine. Toyota cars can't handle/manage sludge. Goodluck this time around. As a guide stick to 3/4months service period

Speciality:
All Vehicles - Post 1996

Workshop/Mechanic
Digital Carsolutions Ltd

Location:
36 Eze Gbakagbaka Avenue Off Chelsea Filling Station on Woji Elelenwo Road Woji Port Harcourt

No:
08033123865,07017081067,08093068017,08057609828

Positives:
Modern auto equipment. Organised. Experienced technicians

Negatives:
Pricey when compared to regular mechanics but well worth it

Where do u stay in PH? If not too far, check Digital Carsolutions Ltd at Woji. 08033123865 or 07017081067