Hi guys I am new to this forums and so far I everybody here has been a great help. I bought my 4runner a month ago at 103000 and now it currently has 105000. The only issue I have is a strange noise coming from under the hood. I suspected pulley by reading other peoples forums but my neighborhood mechanics said it is a water pump bearing noise. I checked the service records and the water pump was replaced at 93000 miles. Is it possible that the water pump is bad again so soon ? There is no sign of leakage anywhere. Also the noise starts coming after the engine has warmed up like 5 mins after start up and is constant throughout the day regardless of temperature. I have attached a youtube link for the video I have made. Any insight will be greatly appreciated since I do not have a lot of money after paying for the 4 runner ! Thanks again

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ1Ouvi-xig

Bump

Hard to tell from the vid but is it a V6? Does it make the same noise regardless if the AC is on or off? Does the sound increase with RPM? Does it make the sound without the fan belt?

Belt tensioner?

The pulleys do tend to wear out around 100K, or so, but personally, I've had pulley issues and the noise is a bit different...hard to describe. At any rate, with that rattling noise coming and going every few seconds, and given the fact that your pump has been recently replaced, and you are not experiencing any coolant issues, I'd be less likely to conclude it was the water pump, but rather a rattling spring in the belt tensioner.

I could be full of stool, as well.

Haha MarkinWMich
I just saw the service records when I registered the 4runner after purchasing. It just said PUMP ASSY, WATER 1610009471 1 at 93000 miles so I am assuming it was the main water pump. I went to another mechanic today and he confirmed that the noise is more concentrated at the water pump assembly. Probably it is the bearing itself. Thanks alot for your input though.

Hey gm350reratliff
I appreciate your reply. And yes its a v6 and it does make the same noise regardless ac on/off. And no I checked the sound does not increase with RPM. I did not yet check ifcit does not make the noise without the fan belt. Ill update after I check that though.