2004 v6 - whine/whining noise coming from Engine Compartment

[boatsrcool]

I just bought a mint 2004 v6 SR5 with 90k miles on it. Came from a 2000 Yukon, love it so far, runs great. I have searched posts relentlessly and found some that cover “whines” but nothing that has led me to an answer yet. I’m hesitant to take the truck into the shop since I just got it – and it is running great.

Problem: Whining noise that is slightly louder than the exhaust and occurs while idling and accelerating. If I am moving and I let off the gas this noise goes away completely. It is coming from the drivers side of the engine near the belts. The v6 does not have a timing belt correct?

Any help or similar stories would be helpful. I’d just like to know what I am dealing with and what to expect more than anything.

 

[boatsrcool]

could it possibly be bearing in something?

 

[mkovi]

2004 SR5 V6 Whining

Saw post about your used 04 4runner with 90k and had to reply cause I'm having the exact same problem. I bought the car about 5 years ago with 70k on it. It has been an great car but I cant figure out what is going on now...HAVE 120 K MILES ON IT NOW!

In 2010, I was getting the whine of the alternator going bad so I took it in and had the alternator and battery replaced. It was fine up until this past Thursday morning. I'm pretty in tune with the sounds of our cars, so when I noticed the whine, I took it in to the shop that did the alternator. Luckily, the alternator was still under warranty, so the shop replaced it with a new alternator and replaced the tensioner pully. The WHINE STILL REMAINS! I've looked on this website, but I'm still not sure what may be wrong. I'm worried it could be the tranny, but in talking with people, they and I don't think so because the whine exists when the car is in park and neutral. I'm wondering it might be something with the differentials. At this point, I'm planning to take it back to the shop tomorrow morning. I'll let you know what I find out and hoping you'll do the same if you have any developments...

thanks, Mark

 

[ClockWork]

Saw post about your used 04 4runner with 90k and had to reply cause I'm having the exact same problem. I bought the car about 5 years ago with 70k on it. It has been an great car but I cant figure out what is going on now...

In 2010, I was getting the whine of the alternator going bad so I took it in and had the alternator and battery replaced. It was fine up until this past Thursday morning. I'm pretty in tune with the sounds of our cars, so when I noticed the whine, I took it in to the shop that did the alternator. Luckily, the alternator was still under warranty, so the shop replaced it with a new alternator and replaced the tensioner pully. The WHINE STILL REMAINS! I've looked on this website, but I'm still not sure what may be wrong. I'm worried it could be the tranny, but in talking with people, they and I don't think so because the whine exists when the car is in park and neutral. I'm wondering it might be something with the differentials. At this point, I'm planning to take it back to the shop tomorrow morning. I'll let you know what I find out and hoping you'll do the same if you have any developments...

thanks, Mark

Ugh, the differentials aren't moving in park or neutral.....

 

[galactic_04]

Chances are it's an idler pulley or alternator. Was the alternator changed by a Toyota dealer? If not it's not a Toyota part, but a rebuilt part and could have bad bearings again if it wasn't rebuilt right

 

[settytb]

My power steering whines a little...something else to look at. I've thought about changing the fluid but it's a slight whine and doesn't bother me much. for reference i have an 03 v6 4wd with about 135k.

 

[Burt]

Well, the only time I've heard something like that it was the power streering pump on a couple Fords I had. If it low on fluid it would whine too, but the pump had slow leak, so I replaced the whole thing. Just an idea.

 

[TRDCal]

Maybe someone installed a supercharger when you weren't looking

 

[runnerito]

Check the tensioner / idler pulley bearings. Find the belt dismantling procedure using the search tool.

 

[tomd8]

What was the issue above

I'm looking over these "engine whine" threads and I found this post which is very close to what I'm experiencing on my '98. The whine exists when it's in park and possibly a bit worse when it's cold. It has been getting progressively worse but haven't brought it anywhere to determine the cause. Doubtful it's the tranny but I did see a post about a possible torque converter issue. Would be nice to hear what the author of this post found or any others with a similar issue.

On a different note, I'm in a quandary about keeping or replacing this truck. Looking at 2010 or earlier they are either high miles (more than my 120K) or expensive. I see some of these trucks go over 200K miles and going strong. I've driven it for 15 years only putting on 60K. At this point it's due for a timing belt, shocks/struts, bumper replacement (rusted out) etc. Thoughts?

 

[flyrunner33]

Whining noise from 2004 4runner solved

Just bought 2004 4runner V6 with only 88,000 miles. I had a whining noise on and read all the posts to determine the source. I read all posts that i could find and they ranged from power steering pump, alternator, water pump, oil pump, torque converter, and Im probably forgetting a few more. Ultimately, I bought a tensioner replacement kit which included the 3 idler pulleys and the idler tensioner housing and pulley and new serp belt. So I then watched several videos and saw people draining the radiator and disassembling the whole front end to take off the belt, radiator, and loosen air conditioner. I just pulled the old belt out through the fan shroud replaced the 3 tensioner pulleys and took the pulley off of the new tensioner housing and put it on the existing one and then installed the new belt. No more whine!!!! Runs and sounds like new.

 

[Philip Shama]

I'm gonna try that Flyrunner