2014 Toyota 4Runner Trail Edition
66k Miles
NO engine/performance mods.
Yes, maintenance is up to date.
Yes, I used the search bar tool.
Need some help, engine whine not accessories
This thread seemed to be heading in the right direction with maybe the same problem, but it died off.
Engine whine under acceleration
Another thread.. sounds like the same problem...directed to this thread below..
whistling sound under moderate load, anyone?
According to this thread.. everyone accepts it may be "normal". That's if its the same noise I'm hearing.
All other threads that came up seemed to cover valve chatter and whistling noises not similar to my issue.
*I will post a video as soon as I can for reference, I know this will help.*
The noise started all of a sudden roughly a month ago.
The noise occurs in park, neutral, and when driving.
Starts around 1200-1500 RPM
Very obvious noise and rather annoying.
Noise still there when belt is off.
My fiances' 14' Limited with 40k does not do it.
My buddy's 14' Trail with 55k does not do it.
Now that I've covered all that... I'm reaching out for any help, experience, or knowledge on this particular issue.
The noise sounds exactly like a bad idler,alternator, etc. coming from the top on the intake manifold, more so on the driver side of the vehicle.
Here is my experience so far...
I'm not a complete idiot when it comes to mechanical items...and I knew from the get go, this was not a noise coming from any of the idlers, pulleys, pumps, or alternator after spending a good while all around the truck with a buddy checking all the obvious stuff. After finding nothing (obvious), I decided to bring it to Toyota for a "professional" opinion and let warranty handle it.
Brought it to the first Toyota dealership.
Technician claimed to "barely" hear anything.
First, said he thought it was my wheel bearings because of my "big" tires.
...Told him no buddy, it does it while sitting still, in park.
So he looked at it again, then says, "All we can suggest is its the alternator"
Right on.
Okay you're the Tech. Warranty will cover it. Change it.
I understand sounds and vibrations have odd ways of travelling, so I was hoping for him to be right and prove me wrong.
Go to pick my rig up, they hand over the keys and say I'm good to go and its fixed!
Noise is still there.. went back and talked to the technician.
This guy still seems like he cant hear it... then tells me to come back Monday and they'll have the Master Technician take a look at it.
Not doing that.. didn't feel comfortable with this dealership any longer.
I leave there and go straight to another dealership.
I pull up over there, explain to these guys whats going on, and pretty much tell them I do not want to waste another $100 on a diagnostic fee if I'm the crazy one hearing stuff and there is no noise...
I crank it up and the service adviser immediately hears it..
So he kindly takes it back to the shop, without me having an appointment, and has his guys looks at it.
The Service Adviser, a Master Tech, and another Tech all come out and talk to me. They apologize for not being able to start on it today, but they all acknowledge the noise and say its pretty loud. Tell me to come back Monday and they'll dig in.
Drop the rig off Monday... couple hours later they call back.
They removed the belt. Noise is still there.
So they have officially eliminated any idlers, pulleys, pumps, etc.
The even checked the first and secondary vacuum pumps.
Then they hit me with the bad news.
They compared my noise to 3 other trucks around the shop with around the same mileage, and claim they have the same noise...so here we go, starting to sound like a normal sound now.
They apologized and admitted that they don't know exactly what the noise is and what is causing it, but being that 3 other vehicles had the noise, they chose not to get deep into the engine. (I personally did not hear the 3 other engines) They recommended I keep driving like normal, and if gets louder to bring it back, and that if something major comes of this, it would fall back on them because of the documents stating they looked at it, and sent me on my way saying its fine.
So here I am. Sorry I had to rant a little bit.
I want to know what is causing this noise all of a sudden, and if it comes down to it being normal... WHY? Why is it normal. WHAT exactly is causing this noise? Are the intake manifolds on these engines more complex than I think? Is this a noise coming from the heads? I have no idea anymore.
I feel like there should be some explanation considering the engine has been around a while with Toyota.
The noise is an issue for me, its embarrassing, and its driving me towards selling my rig honestly.
I guess I'm not just one to accept odd noises out of the blue and go on with it!
Thanks in advance to anyone with input on this issue.