2016 v6 SR5 Dreaded Diesel sound, oil weight question

[hallcs]

Had a 2001 2wd V6 SR5, purred like a kitten, was heart broken to put her down. Just Purchased a 2016 2wd V6 SR5 with 70k on her from dealer. I noted a little knock on startup when I purchased but was told the Gen 5 4.0L was noisy machine. Its not getting worse, no knock with load but man this thing sounds like a diesel at the stop light. Feel like im driving a 30 year old farm truck.

My question is has anyone ran like a 5w30 over the recommended 0w20 and if so has it helped in any way with the engine noise. I've been reading and not sure if Toyota is recommending the 0w20 for MPG or if that engine needs that thin of an oil. When I questioned Subaru about my 2017 outback they said 5w30 was fine but may have issues starting it on really cold days.

 

[jhguth]

mine has been like that since i bought it brand new, the rental i drove for a week before deciding to buy was the same

use the oil toyota says to use

 

[ryan87]

Cold engine has a small tick but goes away when warmed up. Its normal

 

[JAXJeremy]

my 2018 has done the same since the day I bought it.

 

[mustangr2]

I think it pretty common with this motor to sound this way. From what I read from everyone. Mine is similar especially when it’s cold.

 

[kcp1158]

Try switching brands of oil.

 

[hallcs]

Try switching brands of oil.

I'm still on the dealer oil change. Any suggestions? Mobil 1 or do you have a brand you like

 

[CavPro]

I've read all the oil change threads which made the job much easier for the first time. I had a slight tick with the OEM oil which I changed at 5.3k. I used the 0w-20 Mobil 1 labeled for toyota, and I expected it to be louder based on what I read here, but it is noticeably quieter than my OEM oil was even with zero miles on it. We'll see as I get miles on this oil change.

I also think this thing is quiet but all my heavy lifting is done with a 7.3

 

[Tuco S.]

I skimmed through the owners manual when I first got mine. I seem to recall a reference to 5w-30 being approved for use in Puerto Rico. I doubt Toyota makes a different engine specifically for Puerto Rico, so I would consider a 5w-30 to be safe to use in any warm climate. You might see a small reduction in fuel economy if you use all 5w-30.

I still have 5 liters of 5w-30 VW 507 spec oil (it's almost a 5w-40) sitting on the shelf. I'll probably add a liter of that for each oci until it's gone, mixed with a quality 0w-20.

 

[BCMUSA]

So I know I will probably get crap for this, but I've had great luck with Lucus products in the past. eep:

Try putting in one of these:
High Mileage Oil Stabilizer

See if it helps at all.

 

[Dillusion]

I'm honestly not sure why people say its normal if it sounds like a damn diesel.

Mine is pretty quiet. Granted I've only got 4k miles on it but it does not sound anywhere near as loud as some people describe.

I've always used Royal Purple.

 

[IanB]

Use the correct weight oil, it makes a big difference.

We bought our 5th gen used, dealership (not Toyota) said they just did an oil change on it as they do with all their cars, I drove it a few thousand kms and then did my own oil change, wished I'd done it right away. Engine made better power, and the vvti felt like it worked afterwards! They likely put in bulk barrel 5w30 or whatever they had laying around it it, and it was a dog compared to after with the correct weight oil in it.

If you find it noisy, try a different brand of oil. They are kinda noisy at idle though, compared to a lot of other current gas engines.

 

[Bayou_Pro]

The 4.0 may not be a silky smooth dead quiet engine but it should not sound like a diesel at all. My 16 had 41K miles and didn'temake any kind of noise resembling a diesel, a tick yes but not loud. I'm running Toyota 0W20.

BTW run the recommended weight oil!!!


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[hallcs]

I took off work early today for a different reason but had time to stop at the local Toyota dealer. I asked the salesman if he would walk out and do a cold start on a used 2016 4runner with me and a new 2019. They BOTH sounded just like mine, raised the hood and it sounds like a diesel engine. I was so relieved. I thought I had bought a defective vehicle. :humble:

 

[Dillusion]

Man diesel's down here must sound different than the ones in Indy.

I for sure wouln't live with it.

 

[rwh963]

get a 4th gen!

 

[Bayou_Pro]

Man diesel's down here must sound different than the ones in Indy.

I for sure wouln't live with it.

No kidding, you and me both. I've had 3 diesels and NONE of them sounded like my 4runner. I'm wondering if the OP knows what a diesel actually sounds like. No offense meant.


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[hallcs]

No offense taken, of course the motor sounds nothing like a full on diesel motor but if you stand from a distance a diesel motor has a distinct clatter noise that is unique. If you start up a gen 5 or a gen 6, 4.0L engine and listen carefully you can hear that clatter which sounds slightly similar to the clatter made by a diesel. My 4.0L is a little louder than the 2019 but very close in volume to the other 2016 4.0L I listened to at the dealership. I noticed some of the comments coming in have nothing to do with my question about oil viscosity and if anyone has tried using a thicker oil to quite this noise down, only the debate of my ability to distinguish the sound of a diesel engine. Maybe it's that the people questioning that can't hear from their sisters screaming in their ears during rutting season?

 

[Bayou_Pro]

On a serious note. I have an engine building background and have worked for Toyota Service for 6 years. I would not recommend changing to a heavier oil, from a bearing clearance standpoint and from a VVTI standpoint. Yeah some people have run 5W20 but this only effects cold start but going to a 5W30 will be a all around thicker oil. On a very tight tolerance engine this will result in higher oil pressure and reduced lubrication to the bearings. Will it hurt something, well I can't answer that but I wouldn't risk it.

You could try a few different oils to see if that would change the sound. It's expensive but you might pick up some Redline 0W20 and give it a try. It's quieter in my CTS-V then Mobil 1. I haven't tried it in the 4Runner yet. About to change the oil and catch a sample to have analysis done to compare Toyota oil to Mobile 1 and then Redline. Just curious TBN numbers between them.

Good luck.

 

[hallcs]

Thank you, that's the kind of info I'm looking for. I will stay with the 0w20 as recommended. I think i'll use the Mobil 1 that has been recommended by others. After looking at and listening to other engines mine does not sound much different than other GEN 5 4.0L engines. It is something I need to get used to, I came from a GEN 4 which did not make a sound except fan and exhaust. I was concerned, but now feel better. I did not want to pay the dealership money just to hear it's normal engine noise.