I bought a used 1997 Rav4 last December with about 70,000 miles on it. It ran wonerfully until about a month ago. I have had regular oil changes and replaced the battery but that's about it... I know little about cars.

Two weeks ago it kind of sputtered and choked a little as I was getting to work then died in the driveway (i'm a nanny so it's a private residence). I thought it was weird but twice the car had stalled out in the past but no problems starting right back up or running afterward. I was in the parking spot already anyway so I left it and came back out while the kids were napping to check it and it wouldn't start. The battery is only about a month old and the lights, radio, etc were working.. it just wasn't turning over in the ignition.

My boss helped tow it to a commercial repair place because it was only a few blocks away so I had no choice where it went. They came back and charged me $700 to replace an ?air intake valve? and clean up some carbon corrosion around some joints or something like that. It ran pretty well when i left so I thought it was fine until only a week and a half later it starts again... that's where I am now.

It is choking, sputtering, surging and unable to go over 35-40 mph. I stalled twice trying to get to work but i had to drive it so... I did get gas from a different place than normal but a pretty reputable place i've stoped a few other times... just in case though i used gas additive and then ran the gas down close to empty and put in fuel system cleaner... neither helped.. I checked my transmission fluid... it was a little low so I added some... nothing... I checked everything else i'm positive is unrelated also such as brake fluid, coolant, etc and the oil was just changed when it was repaired...

The did tell me I have a part that has rattled off inside my exhaust system that is rattling around making an annoying sound but the mechanic said it was harmless and I could hold off as long as i wanted on getting someone to get it out.


Did they rip me off and charge me an arm and a leg for something that didn't need fixed? Is this a different problem... What do I do? I was counting on my car to drive back home to Alabama from Cleveland, OH THIS WEEKEND!!! It's too late to buy a plane ticket esp. after those repairs and my little bro is on leave for the last time before he goes back to Iraq.. I feel like the mechanics screwed me and should fix it and fix it fast so I can go on my trip but I want to make sure i'm being reasonable...

THANK YOU IF YOU ANSWER THIS!!!

Had to say but it sound's like possibly a gas delivery issue which might be a clogged fuel filter.I have a 98 RAV 4 with 260000 on it with no issues so your vehicle has lotsof life left in it.