brillo_76
Elite Member
I was thinking a bad cast of the cover as I have never seen a cover crack under normal circumstances.
Ah the misprint got them. That makes more sense.
Sent from my SM-J337V using Tapatalk
3.4L Ticking/tapping Noise
- Thread starter Jubsz
- Start date
Ah the misprint got them. That makes more sense.
Sent from my SM-J337V using Tapatalk
Correct on user error. When I bought the truck with 18x,000 on it, it had recently had the valve cover gaskets replaced. I was more concerned about looking at overall condition when I bought it and did not notice the cover had been cracked. Wouldn't have stopped me from buying it anyways. I am guessing that the mechanic that did the gaskets overtightened and cracked it. My mechanic also found a few vacuum lines that were cracked and some other odds and ends (swaybar end links and such). Oddly, it was running pretty well though MPG was pretty suspect (16-17ish for mostly highway) but not awful. All is being fixed at this point.
A different 3rd gen was my first vehicle and I've loved having this one as a daily the past 4 years, 40k miles. I've put most my time/effort/money towards the S2k but the 4Runner will be taken care of. I'd rather be doing the work on my own and have deferred most until I get a garage. To this point, I've done everything to avoid it dying or killing me (fluids, brakes, tires, axle seals, lbjs, radiator). It shot tranny fluid all over the place 2 weeks into my ownership, avoiding the pink milkshake for a broken cooler line. Lucky it did it when it was new to me and I was still walking around it before long drives. I heard fluid coming out and saw it, shut it off immediately. S2k went on a rescue mission, in December, finding the nearest OEM radiator at a stealership. After a cold, 1.5 hour ride with a truck radiator in my passenger seat with the top down and I got it buttoned up.
This particular one is in pretty good shape overall, clean body, no accidents, was one owner with pretty good maintenance, minimal rust for a north-east truck. I'll be happy to be caught up on basic maintenance and may finally consider doing nice-to-haves sooner than later. Things like a bluetooth radio, fixed climate control, driver seat, and install that OME suspension I bought a while ago would all be really nice. It just seemed dumb to do to a truck that really needed maintenance. FWIW, S2k hasn't been driven in salt yet... Uber FTW until it rains over the weekend or at least dries up.
I wanted to close this thread out so that if it is searched in the future, the people have answers. You're welcome future peoples... I got the truck back last week and all is well. Luckily, the mechanic was correct that a loud injector was my issue. The truck also had some much needed maintenance including valves checked, valve cover gaskets + cracked VC replaced, Timing belt, Water pump, vacuum hoses replaced, fuel filter replaced, fuel line replaced, injectors replaced, and Front + Rear end links replaced.
I think my mechanic also did me a few favors including bending my running board back into place so that my slightly taller tires don't rub when turning left at 3/4 lock. He also found me a used fuel door because the hinges were bent on mine causing it to not open completely. My wallet is lighter but the truck feels much better and now I actually trust it on road trips. For the peace of mind, completely worth it.
Thank you all for the suggestions. I'll also give a shout out to Ben at Daisy Import Auto (Woodbine, MD) in case anyone in Maryland is looking for a good shop.
I think my mechanic also did me a few favors including bending my running board back into place so that my slightly taller tires don't rub when turning left at 3/4 lock. He also found me a used fuel door because the hinges were bent on mine causing it to not open completely. My wallet is lighter but the truck feels much better and now I actually trust it on road trips. For the peace of mind, completely worth it.
Thank you all for the suggestions. I'll also give a shout out to Ben at Daisy Import Auto (Woodbine, MD) in case anyone in Maryland is looking for a good shop.
As the S2000 takes a sigh of relief and re-enters hibernation mode:sleepy:
gamefreakgc
Elite Member
I have a trusted mechanic that does work for free, even engine swaps.
Oh wait, that's me.
Exhaust leak?
Hi all,
I've been chasing this sound for months and it has been driving me crazy.
Here is a clip of the sound, I removed the center console/dash to get a clear sound for the video. At the end of the video you can hear me take my foot off the throttle and the sound completely stops.
Exhaust leak? 2002 4Runner 5VZ-FE. Took out center console to hear it better. Sound only under load - YouTube
I've searched nearly every forum/ YouTube video relating to this sound I and I can't seem to find anyone with the same sound/ issue. My issue I have is a raspy/rough sound upon accelerating only. No check engine light and no noticeable issues while driving, only the sound. The noise is not there when I am in park/neutral and rev the engine. My first thought was exhaust leak, I took it to my local shop, had 2 leaks fixed and the sound is the same. Since then I have replaced the following. Fuel Filter, MAF, O2 sensor, oil and filter and air filter (spark plugs have less than 10k mi with coil packs replaces at the same time). I have also ran a few tanks of gas with fuel injector cleaner and sea foam in the gas tank as well as seafoam in crank case and the upper engine spray. I have also ran a few tanks of 91 Octane so I know its not pinging or detonation. So far nothing I have done has affected the sound, however the truck does feel smoother and more responsive since I began this process.
At this point I'm leaning towards potential vacuum leak somewhere? Or possibly exhaust leak in the crossover pipe that the muffler shop missed? (I doubt this is the case as the muffler shop is reputable)
Any help would be greatly appreciated
Hi all,
I've been chasing this sound for months and it has been driving me crazy.
Here is a clip of the sound, I removed the center console/dash to get a clear sound for the video. At the end of the video you can hear me take my foot off the throttle and the sound completely stops.
Exhaust leak? 2002 4Runner 5VZ-FE. Took out center console to hear it better. Sound only under load - YouTube
I've searched nearly every forum/ YouTube video relating to this sound I and I can't seem to find anyone with the same sound/ issue. My issue I have is a raspy/rough sound upon accelerating only. No check engine light and no noticeable issues while driving, only the sound. The noise is not there when I am in park/neutral and rev the engine. My first thought was exhaust leak, I took it to my local shop, had 2 leaks fixed and the sound is the same. Since then I have replaced the following. Fuel Filter, MAF, O2 sensor, oil and filter and air filter (spark plugs have less than 10k mi with coil packs replaces at the same time). I have also ran a few tanks of gas with fuel injector cleaner and sea foam in the gas tank as well as seafoam in crank case and the upper engine spray. I have also ran a few tanks of 91 Octane so I know its not pinging or detonation. So far nothing I have done has affected the sound, however the truck does feel smoother and more responsive since I began this process.
At this point I'm leaning towards potential vacuum leak somewhere? Or possibly exhaust leak in the crossover pipe that the muffler shop missed? (I doubt this is the case as the muffler shop is reputable)
Any help would be greatly appreciated
Devbot
New member
I would lean towards an exhaust leak. Kinda sounds like it and the fact it stops immediately when off the throttle is a big clue. A vacuum leak that severe to cause a noise would most certainly trip a code, and if it was internal it wouldn't stop when you're coasting/idling. I would take a smoke/fog machine, stick it up the tailpipe and seal around it with a bunch of rags - should be pretty easy to spot at that point.
That is the thing that has me stumped, I just recently had 2 exhaust leaks repaired, one on the driver side manifold and another one right before the first cat. I assumed the noise would have been fixed after getting it inspected at the muffler shop and having 2 leaks repaired but the sound remains almost unchanged.
I guess I could take it to another shop to get another opinion specifically on the cross pipe because I don't have a smoke machine. I'm hoping it is not the cross pipe as I know those are a PITA to deal with.
Does it sound like a concerning sound? Or should I just crank up the radio
Devbot
New member
I personally would investigate it, at least until I know exactly what's causing it, but that's just me. Some people dont care unless its causing an issue, which its evidently not in this case (or at least none that you're aware of). To determine if it's an exhaust leak you can also block off the tailpipe momentarily to hear if it gets any louder - or better yet have somebody do it for you while you look around for exhaust escaping from anywhere. Similarly you can put all four wheels on jacks and have someone hit the throttle while you poke around underneath the car to locate roughly where it's coming from.
I put a shop Vac hose in the tail pipe and covered it with a towel to create a better seal (I did not completely seal it). With the hose on I sprayed the entire exhaust with soapy water and did not see any visible leaks.
My next question is could this noise be the beginning of catalytic converter failing/ baffle coming apart? I know its not the heat shield as I have hit it with a mallet and nothing rattles.
