Am I just making too much out of this problem?

[sd2006]

we just recently bought a 2007 4runner SE v6. i'm not sure if i'm just meticulously looking for problems, but i've noticed that it is pretty loud when the car starts, but then subsides to almost silence when idle. it just doesn't seem normal to me also, when on the throttle, can anyone hear a slight "flap flap flap" sound?

please tell me i'm not crazy and all is well

 

[JP4RNR]

You are probably hearing the fan clutch that disengages after a few seconds after the vehicle has started. sounds normal to me

 

[sharp4runr]

Both normal. That flap flap sound you mentioned sounds like more of a tick tick to me. If you do a search you'll find that it's just a nuance of this engine. I believe it has something to do with this engine being an aluminum block. Others have mentioned that it is the injectors pulsing. If you drive next to a wall or jersey barrier, the sound is more pronounced.

 

[wolfgang]

And look at the headers (Exhaust manifolds) -- they are thin walled metal (assume stainless steel) vice the heavy sound absorbing cast iron used in older vehicles. To me they make the engine noisy when going by the concrete "Jersey barriers." Really loud with windows down but barely hear with them up.