I've recently noticed a strange noise coming from the mass air flow meter. The vehicle is a 1995 4-runner 3.0 v6. There is a gurgling sound that reminds me of the sound of that slobber sucker the dentist puts in your mouth. I only hear the sound at idle. Once the flapper door opens, it's gone. I can crack the flapper door a little more than normal when idling and it gets quiter. Is this normal? I'm thinking maby it's air blowing across a sharp edge on the flapper door, who knows. Any ideas? The truck runs great, just an annoying noise......

 

i guess the easiest determination of wheter its harmful is if you can hear it with the hood closed. if its that loud, then no, it shouldn't be there. so theres no sparatic idling, or intermittent power loss, or sharp spikes of power when unexpected huh? try to look inside the opening, see if somethins got that flap jammed open alittle more than normal.

 

The sound I recall from the dentist is actually more of a metallic crackling (like rice krispies) sound.

Could it be you're pinging?

 

Is it kinda a hissy raspy noise, before a puddle of drool is sucked up? (Sorry for the imagery)

Thats what I had from my 3.0 untill I did the 2nd gen air box mod that I will call the "collender". A 3/8" drill bit and now the air box can have a breath of air.

If you don't want to go that far unbolt your air box and pull the plastic sleeve out where the intake is trying to suck your left headlight into the engine. Bolt it all back in place and see if you still hear the noise.

 

From long ago, I remember this question being answered on the 4x4wire board. I think the conclusion was that it was normal, as almost every 3.0 owner had the same noise. I have it in mine, and have always had it. I have a K&N though, so maybe it lets a bit more noise out of the intake pipe.

Jason

 

my truck has it, and the others that i had looked at before buying the one i have also made the same noise. the dealer told me it was normal, but of course i didn't believe that until i saw others doing the same.

 

Mine does it! Got louder with the K&N filter. It sits there and gurgles.. pretty sure it's normal.

 

If you've done the "collander" or have an open element (ala K&N FIPK) then this is a "normal" sound.