I have a 2003 limited 2WD V6 4runner. It has 30,800 miles and still under factory warranty. Sometimes the motor sounds like total crap under acceleration. At idle, there is a pronounced "clicking" noise....VERY noticeable. Maybe I am just being picky! I took the truck to the dealer and they assured me that this was a normal noise for the Variable Valve tech....and the motor has no decrease in performance whatsoever so, I believe them....But, this morning I crank up and there is loud squealing comeing from the engine bay. This continued for a few minutes until the engine warmed up......

Has anyone encountered these noises? Does anyone have a V6 that is totally silent like the old straight 6 engine? Should I try another dealer...if there is a problem, I would like it diagnosed before the 36,000 mile warranty wears out!

Thanks for any info

jpadamt

 

Was it raining this morning? I best it was your best squealing as you either hit a puddle and it got wet. If it squeals again, take it into the dealer.

As for the ticking, yes it is the VVTI and I think Toyota is trying to deaden the noise, even though it is "just" nature of the beast. I bought an 05 Tacoma in March. I have 13,xxx miles on mine and it ticks slightly, not a big thing.

 

Engine oil level ok?

 

I took my 2003 V6 Limited in at 21K kilometers and had the valve clearance re-shimmed under warranty. It was noisy, and the tech didn't hesitate to agree that it needed adjusting. I no longer have the specs on this computer, but asked that the clearance be set slightly larger than the minimum spec on both the intake and exhaust valves. He measured the existing clearance, ordered the appropriate shims sizes to correct the clearance, and did as I requested. Every valve required a new shim. They had the truck for 4 days, or so, IIRC. It made a noticeable difference in noise reduction, a slight increase in fuel mileage, and I THINK I felt an increase in power / liveliness. I was a happy camper. Toyota rocks. Try getting something like that done at a GM dealer. I now have a 2005 V6 Limited, and it's somewhat noisy, about equal to what the 2003 was after adjustment.

 

As far as the squealing goes, it is probably one of your belts. Get a can of belt dressing or even WD-40, keep it with you in your truck, and when the squealing starts, pop the hood and spray each belt a little bit one at a time. If it stops when you spray a belt, either tighten it (if it's still in good condition) or change it (if it's showing signs of wear).

If it's not a belt, it could be the bearings on one of the pieces of equipment that the belts turn (i.e. alternator, power steering pump, AC compressor) or even the tensionner pulley.

 

I have the '03 V6, and don't have the valve noise problem, but I have heard of others who have had it. If you do a search on this, I believe there are several threads on it. As for the squealing noise, it may be the same problem I have had in the past, and still seem to have. There was a design issue with the alignment of the idler/tension pulley for the serpentine belt which can cause the belt to make this noise. There is a TSB on this issue, but I don't have access to the number at this time. It calls for Toyota to replace the tensioner, mounting bolt, and belt. They also have to go through a shimming process to correct the pulley alignment. Also do a search on the noise, there should also be threads on it. If you haven't found the info before Saturday, I will look it up when I get home from my trip.

Good luck.

 

wow, alot of advice on here - I am really impressed.

the oil level is fine in the truck

I did a search for this noise and there seems to be quite a few pple with the exact same symptoms on the V6 motor. The dealers have given these pple vastly different answers - But, the general concensus I get is that there is a TSB out for these issues. There is a "rumor" that Toyota is working on designing a new exhaust manifold that is expected to cancel out some of the ticking noises(due Oct.??) This is speculation.

As far as the squealing is concerned...Do I need to take it back to the dealership and ask them to check out the belts and see if some re-tensioning or shimming is required? The only prob. I see here is; I was under the impression that Toyota used an auto-tensioning system for this belt system. I could be wrong, I haven't dealt w/the new generation of 4runners much yet.

To sum up, the readers on this board have responded better than any other board I have seen - impressed. Keep it up guys, and thanks!


Adam

 

The issue, as I understand it is an alignment problem between the tensioner pulley and the crank and fan pulleys. Because the tensioner pulley is not in line with the other two, the belt has to shift latterally as it transitions from one pulley to the other. It is the two latteral shifts in such a short span that cause the belt to start making the noise as it travels around the tensioner pulley. The TSB requires the mechanic to install shims to bring the tensioner pulley out from the block to correct the alignment problem.

In my case, the dealer has tried correcting the belt noise problem using the TSB method twice, along with two prior belt replacements. The last time was done about 10 months ago, and with the change of the season occuring, the belt noise has once again returned. I am due for my 30k service, so it will be back again for the noise at that time. We will see what happens this time.

I wish you better luck.