I have an Idea and since Mish is the leading man behind this why not start an Internet Petition, you could probably get many more names off Edmunds, then when you have enough names with emails and phone numbers and of course vin# cause you need to have all legitimate problems call up your local news channel and invite them out to see how a Company as big as Toyota who stands proud on building quality products will not do anything for you the customers with an abnormal engine noise.

Toyota does not want any bad press

With doing this you could also find out if the noise is only in a certain number of 4Runners in 1 area or spread out all over the US, maybe all the noisey trucks are in the same general area, I've seen a lot of 4Runners and not 1 V6 had any weird noises coming out of it.

I remember a few years back when Chrysler and Ford decided to stop using primer on cars, 1 of the news channels might of been UPN, went out to something like 100 people who where in a parking lot ( of course it was a planed meeting) to complain their new vehicles where rusting, mostly Jeeps, F-150 and some other cars, but in the end they all got paint jobs

So thats what I would do, probably the problem solvers Fox 5 cause they don't let up till the problem is fixed

 

That is the one of the redneck excuses I already heard. I also heard that engines are always louder on one side
The fact is that one side taps and can be heard from 50 yards away, when the other side is smooth and quiet. This is nothing but couple of loose shims and it is true shame that Toyota takes such nasty stand when the whole thing is only few bucks to fix.

V8 is also aluminum block as far as I know and has same type shim valves in it, it is simply an old engine that is build for many years and that is why it has less bugs.

If I am going to use this pile of half baked goods as trade in, I am sure as hell it will not be for any Toyota product ever, except for maybe used Supra MKIV Turbo.

 

I did drive it carefully and heard the exhaust noise at acceleration (ok by me), I also felt the bumpy shift from first to second gear (normal thing), but this rattle was only present during the warm up at first. I drove truck right after someone else test drove it, so it was warm and only next morning I heard the tapping for a few minutes when truck was warming up. Now it rattles more and more and on hot engine as well, so I did not buy truck with this engine noise, it developed later, over some mileage.

 

Since you are so smart, perhaps you could enlighten all of us dummies as to why some V6 motors are qiuet as a mouse and some sound like diesels, like mine does. I guess your going to tell me that this is perfectly normal too, what do you work for Toyota or something? I think the petition is a wonderful idea, probably won't go anywhere but it certainly would show Toyota that were not going to take this lying down. If people are complaining about this, then something is wrong. We all have much better things to do then sit around complaining about our motors. Just because you love v8's don't tell me to go trade mine in for one, are you kidding? Do you know how much of a hit I would probably take. I'll keep my windows closed until I find a solution. Just Like I would have to if my V8 smelled like rotten eggs everytime I got on the gas.

 

I have to ask you same question again: Are you affiliated with Toyota, or something?
Why would I trade in my (leased) truck and take the looser's way out when indeed it should be recalled and fixed. Don't you see what is going on here? Toyota Corp. does not want to set an example by fixing, or doing anything about this issue, because if they do, we all going to ask resolution and it is going to cost money, as well as decrease already shaken up reliability rating of the "automotive god". I am sure they know about this flaw and maybe already fired few japs for not sitting the valves right, however politics does not allow local dealerships to even try and fix such minor issue. One place was ordering shims for me when they got smacked on the ass and turned around. It was ridiculous to see this service manager, who heard the noise loud and clear and than, after talking to Toyota all of the sudden lost the gift of hearing

 

Mish, some people just don't get it...and probably never will,
this is why forums give you the ignore poster option. I think it is a good time to me to activate it, because it's getting tiresome...don't you think?

 

Funny you should mention, but I too have my exotic toys and my 82, fully aluminum V12 XJS sounds like kitten, if this Runner sounded same way I would be more than happy, because everything else in this truck fits my needs and expectations precisely. You keep forgetting that most of V6 4Runners sound great, just some are noisy!!!!! I am not upset enough to trade things in, I know my rights and will not against the wall

 

No, he is polite and trying to be nice, why would I ignore other opinion, at least yet.
I am not spitting foam, it is just another opinion

 

Mish, here is an idea, replace your cat-back factory exhaust with something aftermarket that adds a little growl to the noise. It will prolly more than likely drown out the clatter. Just my constructive $.02 worth. I feel for you man, I had a Ford Bronco that had a constant clatter, never was able to get it fixed and traded it for a Honda CRX Si, best damn road rally car ever made for that price.

 

Mish I SALUTE you..I too am getting the noise and am getting a bit hot under the collar re Ron717.
Hang in there..

 

I agree. Hang in there Mish. If the noise is bad, it should be corrected by Toyota. My buddy is having the same problem in his 2002 Chevy 2500. Something called piston slap that sounds like a rod knock. You can really hear it and it sounds bad. If you go on any GM board, they are constantly talking about it. After fighting for a year GM finally agreed (if he wants) to rebuild his motor with the newer 2003 pistons (that are coated), but they won't pay for even new rings, just the rebuild and pistons. So, GM knows there is a problem, but says it's normal, but still revised there pistons for 2003. Go Figure.. I can probably bet by mid 2004 none of the V6's will make that noise, but Toyota still won't admit there is something amiss. I guess it's all about the bottom line these days instead of making customers happy.

 

Would you PLEASE drop the subject..We have heard enough from you..Thanks for all your previous advice..Thank you..

 

Ok, this is my last reply to your posts, Toyota Motors:
I am not planning to go inside the motor and touch things, that is why I purchased brand new car from supposedly reputable manufacturer. Moreover I will not give Toyota any reason to void my warranty, because they will use any possibility at this point.

I have no time to wait 100K miles for my valve stems to go up and decrease the lash, it is plain stupid to even consider this. I think I have much higher chance of wearing camshafts and plates by that time and actually increasing already big lash, therefore making noise louder. This is not my wish and place to be acting all smart on this matter, ll I know is that my ˟˟˟˟ rattles and the others do not. I heard another V6 next to mine dead quiet, no matter how much dealership tried to tell me that noise was normal, this one did not rattle next to mine, so they had no other choice but to keep mine in the shop for 3 days, doing nothing to it.

 

Hey Mish, we like your replies, keep them coming! Most of us are behind you as well. However, there are certain "no it alls" that many of us are tired of hearing from. Perhaps even I fall into that catagory at times, I don't know. I have the same problem as you.
Sometimes people are not reading the quotes and repling to the right people. "Opinions are like a__holes, everybody has one, " it's the folks who think theirs is the only right one who tick me off.
Anyway, this has been a great forum and we can only hope the there will be some resolution to this in the future, as always good luck!
G

 

"Our Company"......
Houston, we have a booger!

 

I guess we have all been duped...that last response sealed it.
Nobody is that much of an idiot, he's been playing us all along, congrads, you got me, haha and all that. Now go away and pester another forum...moron.

 

Mish, you were actually polite to this ------, now do you see what I mean?
I bet he'll say he gets 32 miles to the gallon after he puts his supercharger on his V8!! HA HA
Please...

 

Who needs a refresher course on how to make friends and be courteous to people who share common interests?

 

Down the road I will look back and question why did I not buy ML350, with fully aluminum motor that sounds like a good healthy powerplant and needs no 20K miles break in period
Or maybe it is 60 K miles break in for Toyota V6, right until the end of the warranty?

One way or the other I hope your stock with Toyota grows and makes you richer and guys like us don't make it go down.

 

New ML350 on sale is $36K at most, when my hooptie was $30K. Difference is slim when you think of the quality and comfort of MB. I have to agree 4Runner is more of the truck and if it was not for the quality of the new 4Runner I would be happy with it.

YOU SOUND LIKE TOYOTA REP., YOU ARE TRYING TO FIX US, NOT THE MOTOR NOISE!

One last thing I have to ask you before I tell you to go and f@ck yourself along with Toyota Corp.:

HOW COME ONLY SOME V6 4 RUNNERS RATTLE FROM THE LEFT BANK AND MANY DO NOT??? DO THEY HAVE DIFFERENT ENGINE WALL THICKNESS??? HOW COME I PERSONALLY HEARD 2 UNITS THAT SOUNDED LOVELY TO ME, WHO EXPECTS TOO MUCH OUT OF HIS 30 GEES???