I-4x4
New member
This is my first post and I'd like to say T4R has been awesome so far. I spend a lot of time on here and have done several mods thanks to all the people sharing their experience and know how. It is my aim with this post to contribute something useful for anyone with a whine noise - to identify the source of their whine or eliminate one.
Out of respect, I searched first and some of the results are further down.
Before that - listen to this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2Bd-6usfQM&feature=youtu.be
It's an HD recording of the whine my 2000 4runner is making (SR5 V6 4x4 119,000). Whine kicks in right around 30 secs. Doesn't sound horrid by any means but if I am sitting a bomb, I'd like to know. And for you jokers out there: No, I do not have supercharger.
I should point out that the whine sounds consistent with the wheel speed vs. the RPMs. The whine is there when the transmission shifts from 3rd to 4th. I am assuming this would eliminate the a/c tensioner pulley and idler bearing? As well as any other belt driven item (i.e. alternator)? If I put the 4runner in park - no whine. Add some RPMs I do get a belt sounding whine which doesn't sound the same.
Note: Timing belt and water pump do need changing. Parts are sitting in my bedroom. I picked up the 4runner in April and got the parts a couple weeks ago. It's fishing season in WA right now...
And the answer to common questions:
I flushed the transmission fluid recently < 1000 miles ago. Did not drop the pan (you can fault me for that). That said, the transmission fluid was in good shape before AND the whine was there before I changed it. And yes, I have done the external trans-cooler thanks to this forum. (Redline ATF D4) Filled to the correct amount - if I am measuring it correctly -- drive around the block, shift through all gears (2 secs a piece) and leave it running.
At the same time I changed the trans fluid, I did the rear diff breather mod (THX T4R), changed the rear diff fluid and the transfer case fluid (Redline 75w90). I underestimated the amount of fluid needed so the front diff hasn't been changed. I did drive through some water about a month before the breather mod but again, the whine was there then too.
Was there a new radiator? Not really new at least -- bugs and lack of shiny parts present.
The whine is more present when the 4runner is cold and at times not present when fully warm.
The transfer case fluid could be low -- I filled it till it was running out the higher of hole. That said, when I took the higher bolt out, some fluid draining from it. Is it common for people to intentionally overfill the transfer case? If yes, how?
Also, no leaks anywhere. Oil, Trans oil, diffs, transfer case, you name it.
The transmission isn't slipping and the overdrive seems to be working fine. Which would eliminate the torque converter?
Search results and some possible whine causes that came up with:
Pinion Bearing:
This post has audio as well but from the sounds of it, once he lets of the gas, the while stops / decreases. When I let of the gas the whine continues. His is also louder. Maybe an early symptom for pinion bearing?
U-Joints
Well greased along with the slip yokes. Could greased u-joint still whine if they needed replacing?
Through the Speakers???
I have an after market deck but my power source and RCAs are nowhere near them.
Worn Transmission Mounts
This is still a possibility, I will crawl under the 4runner tomorrow and update.
Transmission Oil Pump
The above link is an ASE source that says the filter will whine as would the pump. On the contrary, I have read on that "Clogged filters don't whine." T4R Link
BUT
"After 2 days of looking at it, they called and said my transmission pump is going out, and thats making the sound. The noise only happens when the 4runner is in gear, and you are under acceleration." T4R Link
"Bought a '99 Highlander that had a whine that directly correlated to RPMs...Three shops later everyone agreed that my transmission pump was on its way out." T4R Link
Which begs the question, is the trans oil pump RPM based?
"My whine actually came straight from the ATF pan....it was being produced by one of the solenoids..." T4R Link
Planetary Gear Failure
T4R Link: " He said that there is nothing you can do to prevent it and it will make a whinning sound before it fails...I've also read somewhere that the main years affected for the 4runner was the 00 - 02's. Some sort of design change."
Does anyone know of a way to cross reference the VIN to figure out if I've got a 2000 4runner with the late transmission?
Wheel Bearings
Maybe? I've blown some up in the past (on another car) and the whine could be that. There isn't any vibration - which was characteristic of the wheel bearings when they went out in the other car.
Fuel Filter or Fuel pump
Could be, but if it is, I am less concerned about it.
"...REALLY squeals right before it shifts up."
NOT THIS!
"...the pitch of the noise increases with RPM and gets lower again when it shifts and gets lower again when it shifts”
NOT THIS!
Feel free to add any possible source of the whine that I could be missing and thanks in advance for the help.
Out of respect, I searched first and some of the results are further down.
Before that - listen to this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2Bd-6usfQM&feature=youtu.be
It's an HD recording of the whine my 2000 4runner is making (SR5 V6 4x4 119,000). Whine kicks in right around 30 secs. Doesn't sound horrid by any means but if I am sitting a bomb, I'd like to know. And for you jokers out there: No, I do not have supercharger.
I should point out that the whine sounds consistent with the wheel speed vs. the RPMs. The whine is there when the transmission shifts from 3rd to 4th. I am assuming this would eliminate the a/c tensioner pulley and idler bearing? As well as any other belt driven item (i.e. alternator)? If I put the 4runner in park - no whine. Add some RPMs I do get a belt sounding whine which doesn't sound the same.
Note: Timing belt and water pump do need changing. Parts are sitting in my bedroom. I picked up the 4runner in April and got the parts a couple weeks ago. It's fishing season in WA right now...
And the answer to common questions:
I flushed the transmission fluid recently < 1000 miles ago. Did not drop the pan (you can fault me for that). That said, the transmission fluid was in good shape before AND the whine was there before I changed it. And yes, I have done the external trans-cooler thanks to this forum. (Redline ATF D4) Filled to the correct amount - if I am measuring it correctly -- drive around the block, shift through all gears (2 secs a piece) and leave it running.
At the same time I changed the trans fluid, I did the rear diff breather mod (THX T4R), changed the rear diff fluid and the transfer case fluid (Redline 75w90). I underestimated the amount of fluid needed so the front diff hasn't been changed. I did drive through some water about a month before the breather mod but again, the whine was there then too.
Was there a new radiator? Not really new at least -- bugs and lack of shiny parts present.
The whine is more present when the 4runner is cold and at times not present when fully warm.
The transfer case fluid could be low -- I filled it till it was running out the higher of hole. That said, when I took the higher bolt out, some fluid draining from it. Is it common for people to intentionally overfill the transfer case? If yes, how?
Also, no leaks anywhere. Oil, Trans oil, diffs, transfer case, you name it.
The transmission isn't slipping and the overdrive seems to be working fine. Which would eliminate the torque converter?
Search results and some possible whine causes that came up with:
Pinion Bearing:
This post has audio as well but from the sounds of it, once he lets of the gas, the while stops / decreases. When I let of the gas the whine continues. His is also louder. Maybe an early symptom for pinion bearing?
U-Joints
Well greased along with the slip yokes. Could greased u-joint still whine if they needed replacing?
Through the Speakers???
I have an after market deck but my power source and RCAs are nowhere near them.
Worn Transmission Mounts
This is still a possibility, I will crawl under the 4runner tomorrow and update.
Transmission Oil Pump
The above link is an ASE source that says the filter will whine as would the pump. On the contrary, I have read on that "Clogged filters don't whine." T4R Link
BUT
"After 2 days of looking at it, they called and said my transmission pump is going out, and thats making the sound. The noise only happens when the 4runner is in gear, and you are under acceleration." T4R Link
"Bought a '99 Highlander that had a whine that directly correlated to RPMs...Three shops later everyone agreed that my transmission pump was on its way out." T4R Link
Which begs the question, is the trans oil pump RPM based?
"My whine actually came straight from the ATF pan....it was being produced by one of the solenoids..." T4R Link
Planetary Gear Failure
T4R Link: " He said that there is nothing you can do to prevent it and it will make a whinning sound before it fails...I've also read somewhere that the main years affected for the 4runner was the 00 - 02's. Some sort of design change."
Does anyone know of a way to cross reference the VIN to figure out if I've got a 2000 4runner with the late transmission?
Wheel Bearings
Maybe? I've blown some up in the past (on another car) and the whine could be that. There isn't any vibration - which was characteristic of the wheel bearings when they went out in the other car.
Fuel Filter or Fuel pump
Could be, but if it is, I am less concerned about it.
"...REALLY squeals right before it shifts up."
NOT THIS!
"...the pitch of the noise increases with RPM and gets lower again when it shifts and gets lower again when it shifts”
NOT THIS!
Feel free to add any possible source of the whine that I could be missing and thanks in advance for the help.
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