Engine Knocking/Tapping? (Video)

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zach1288

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I have a 2007 v6 with 109k on it. I just bought the car from my uncle last month. It had always been serviced at Toyota and it's in very good condition. I just started to notice a knocking sound when I'm beside something like a wall or other cars. I know these engines tick from injectors, etc but this sounds like knocking to me? I notice it the most at idle or low speeds/low RPM. I never hear it when accelerating or driving interstate. It's only noticeable after the engine is warm and RPM's idle around 600.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/r5d8URecfFQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wKvClm4IxuA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
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Mine does the same thing... you can really notice it when driving parallel to a wall.

I made a thread on it here... check out post #10

It might be what is it, it might not. I just did my serpentine belt and it settled down a bit but its probably unrelated. I still need to get some more miles on it and observe more...
 
Bumbo said:
Mine does the same thing... you can really notice it when driving parallel to a wall.

I made a thread on it here... check out post #10

It might be what is it, it might not. I just did my serpentine belt and it settled down a bit but its probably unrelated. I still need to get some more miles on it and observe more...
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It sounds like a knock to me, doesn't really sound like a clicking/ticking.
 
zach1288 said:
It sounds like a knock to me, doesn't really sound like a clicking/ticking.
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that is not piston knock . that is valve train noise.
could be cam wear issue or oil pressures or both.

I have an engine that does do piston knock when its cold out ,, engine cold . makes a cluck sound. after the pistons heats up it stops .on my engine this is from carbon on the compression rings of piston which does happen to all engines but if used on slow speed traffic etc this increases in frequency.

I would check oil pressures as a start.
 
catrains said:
that is not piston knock . that is valve train noise.
could be cam wear issue or oil pressures or both.

I have an engine that does do piston knock when its cold out ,, engine cold . makes a cluck sound. after the pistons heats up it stops .on my engine this is from carbon on the compression rings of piston which does happen to all engines but if used on slow speed traffic etc this increases in frequency.

I would check oil pressures as a start.
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I don't notice it until it's warm.
 
zach1288 said:
Wouldn't I have an oil light if it was low?
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toyota does not measure oil pressures .. it only has a switch ..NO pressure then the switch throws the oil light on.

so even if you had a toyota dealership computer hooked up reading the oil pressures are not possible.

a gauge , mechanical would be required to check this .

the dealership did the oil changes only . did uncle check oil after they did oil changes ? if the engine has excessive wear at idle , the oil pressures would be low due to the wear .
 
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I have watched a few videos of tacomas/4runners and they have the same sound just not as loud, but I was in the wheel well.
 
zach1288 said:
Does anyone else have an opinion on this noise?

Thanks.
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I'd try a oil change, and fresh filter. Perhaps a change to a full synth to help loosen and clean out the motor.


It sounds like low oil or noisy lifter/tappets, but the VVT engine is new to me even though I'm on my second 4runner this year :wow: Neither of mine sounded like that, and the one that I heard doing that on the dealer lot I wouldn't buy.

Edit: listening again, it might be a bottom end bearing, but......a oil change is a cheap diagnostic. You could send a oil sample to Blackstone for analysis. http://www.blackstone-labs.com/
 
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Trumpet said:
I'd try a oil change, and fresh filter. Perhaps a change to a full synth to help loosen and clean out the motor.


It sounds like low oil or noisy lifter/tappets, but the VVT engine is new to me even though I'm on my second 4runner this year :wow: Neither of mine sounded like that, and the one that I heard doing that on the dealer lot I wouldn't buy.

Edit: listening again, it might be a bottom end bearing, but......a oil change is a cheap diagnostic. You could send a oil sample to Blackstone for analysis. Blackstone Labs
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You're the second person on this thread that said it sounds like a bearing but I highly doubt that. Wouldn't the sound increase with RPM/load? I only hear it at idle and the truck drives perfectly. Oil has been changed every 5k since new.
 
zach1288 said:
You're the second person on this thread that said it sounds like a bearing but I highly doubt that. Wouldn't the sound increase with RPM/load? I only hear it at idle and the truck drives perfectly. Oil has been changed every 5k since new.
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A light bearing knock can sound under low load conditions and fade into higher revs. There's bearings in multiple engine assemblies; Rod bearings, crank bearings, cam bearings, water pump, AIP, alternator, power steering et al.

Either way you have many choices, run it as is, diagnose it, or ignore it.

My old subaru ran low on oil and developed 'that' sound, it was more noticeable on cold mornings and faded after warming up. Never got better, never got worse, drove it for another 80K miles and traded it in.

Also dealer maintained doesn't mean perfect, there's beginners at every shop, and you never really know who worked on your vehicle there, or whether under supervision or not.
 
Hmm... that does sound like it could be an abnormal knock. It also sounds a bit exaggerated from being recorded.

It does sound like it could be something in either the bottom end or the top end, hard to say without being there though...
 
BlackWorksInc said:
Hmm... that does sound like it could be an abnormal knock. It also sounds a bit exaggerated from being recorded.

It does sound like it could be something in either the bottom end or the top end, hard to say without being there though...
Click to expand...

I just listened to it again this morning after driving for about 20 minutes and the video is much louder and exaggerated than how it really sounds. It's more of a tapping sound then a knock.
 
zach1288 said:
I just listened to it again this morning after driving for about 20 minutes and the video is much louder and exaggerated than how it really sounds. It's more of a tapping sound then a knock.
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if the oil does look clean and at the proper level put 6OZ of marvel mystery oil into the engine oil. see it is quiets down. if it does then the dealership did not change the oil ... most likely did not drain all the old oil out when servicing . MMO works to clean and lube the components that get sludge and carbon to interfere with operation.

MMO is not a solvent but an oil that has high levels of compounds that clean up the engine .

I have used this product for a few decades . works well in engine oil and fuel. AGAIN NOT A SOLVENT SO NO DAMAGE.
 
I'm new to the 4runner game also and I have the same sort of clicking (though not as loud... I'm not sure if its just the video).

Thought there was something wrong with my truck, but after researching and watching other videos I've just learned that this was normal.

I have 145k on mine. Same ticking after an oil change as well.
 
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