Helicopter Sound from Underneath

[T4RMatt]

Well, if this problem was an out of balance driveshaft or other driveline problem then you would feel the vibration everywhere......in the seats, the console, etc. I only feel the vibes in the pedal and barely in the wheel. Also, last week my car had been sitting in a hotel parking lot all night next to the interstate. When I got up in the morning and hopped on the interstate to continue my travelling while the engine and components were still cold it was smooth as could be for about a mile until she got warmed up, then the vibes could be felt. Obviously, as the exhaust heats up it will expand a bit, which is apparently affecting the vibration. As to the TSB, one part of it is to replace the converter, so if skibama only felt if after he had his replaced and his exhaust messed with I have little doubt the exhaust is the source of our vibes......

 

[biglatka]

I brought it in for an oil change today and spoke to the service manager about the resonant vibration at 70-80mph, peaks at 75, gone above 80. It only seems to do it under load though. I hope you're right about the exhaust resonance. Although he said it was first time he heard that complaint, he offered to test drive it next Monday on a nearby highway. They also are replacing the seat frame to try to fix the rattle in the front driver's seat. I was pleasantly surprised. We'll see what develops.

 

[skibama]

Has anyone had any luck getting the vibration fixed?
Also, BIGLATKA, did they fix your seat?

 

[biglatka]

Has anyone had any luck getting the vibration fixed?
Also, BIGLATKA, did they fix your seat?

My appointment is for this Monday, 1/9. The parts dept. called a few days ago to say that my "part" was in. So hopefully they can test drive it for the vibration, and replace the "seat frame" then. I'll keep you posted.

 

[skibama]

Wow, thanks for the fast reply. Good luck with your seat. I've got my fingers crossed. Now if I can just get the vibration taken care of, I think I'll finally be happy.

 

[greasefingers]

What is the deal with the noise when one rolls the two rear windows down, partially. With every vehicle that I have owned, if only the rear doors windows are lowered half way, there is a helicopter noise inside the truck but worse is the ear-drum effect that one gets from it.

 

[biglatka]

Wow, thanks for the fast reply. Good luck with your seat. I've got my fingers crossed. Now if I can just get the vibration taken care of, I think I'll finally be happy.

Ok, skibama here it is:
I picked up my 4Runner this evening after having to leave it 2 days at the local Toyota dealer (or should I say stealer). The net result was a big zero. The service manger, I had talked to previously about the vibration at high speed and who agreed to drive it, quit on New Year's Eve. So I dealt with someone else. He said that the new seat frame they ordered for me was worse than the original so they left the original in. He also claimed that he test drove the truck and couldn't get it to duplicate the "vibration drone". Of course he said he didn't drive it at speeds from 70-80mph. I don't even think he drove it at all as I set the Trip B indicator to zero when I brought it in, and it only had 0.2 miles on it when I picked it up. Somehow I knew it would be a waste of time and only brought it in when I felt that vibration at 70+ mph. I really don't want them to touch the 4Runner at all unless it is absolutely necessary. The service guy did say, after we discussed the problem of vibration at high speed, that he thought it was exhaust related. I think you were right about it. My feeling is that it is probably that and not a serious problem, but at least I got both problems documented if something develops later on. Sorry, I couldn

 

[T4RMatt]

Sorry it did not work out as we were all hoping. I think the main reason I have not brought mine in is because sometimes the problems seems worse after the stealer blows me off or can't duplicate my problem. From my experience working in a dealership a few years ago, manufacturers don't reimburse the mechanics well enough. The hours for a repair are set by the manufacturer so even if it takes the mechanic much longer he or she wont get paid for their full time input. The manufacturers have been shaving these times down to cut down on costs. So, you have to question why a mechanic would spend hours troubleshooting a problem only to get underpaid on the fix........Just my $.02. Maybe we should blame the manufacturer for poor dealer service.

 

[biglatka]

Sorry it did not work out as we were all hoping. I think the main reason I have not brought mine in is because sometimes the problems seems worse after the stealer blows me off or can't duplicate my problem.....

That's exactly how I feel. I had the same seat rattle in the 2004 V6 as in the 2005 V8 I have now, but was willing to live with it both times because I really didn't think they would (could) fix it and/or if they tried it would make things worse. When the vibration at high speed started, I gave in, especially when the service manager said he was willing to drive it at 75 mph. Well, that's it for now, I learned my lesson once again, I'll stick to oil changes at the dealer. It seemed ok (no change) when I drove it home tonight and overall I'm very happy with it, as I've been with my other 4Runners. Hopefully we'll figure out a fix here.

 

[skibama]

Thanks biglatka. It sounds like our dealers are very similar. I was hoping to hear better news, but I wasn't holding my breath. It's pretty sad when we have the exact same problems, yet Toyota won't do anything about it.

People say, "yeah, but you have a well built car, so It shouldn't matter." Well, it does matter. I would have never bought this 4runner if I had known about this vibration. I know it's just a small vibration, but it's ANNOYING!!! I spend a lot of my time on highways...lucky for me at the 73-80 mph range ...and it sucks to constantly be reminded about an unfixable problem.

Oh well...Sorry to rant. I just want this fixed.
Oh yeah, too bad about the seat. I was hoping for this fix as well.

 

[T4RMatt]

People say, "yeah, but you have a well built car, so It shouldn't matter."

To a point this is kind of true though.....Personally, I have never owned a vehicle that was 100% perfect, and honestly the 4Runner is the closest thing yet--and I have sampled a lot of different vehicles. When I sold cars in college I used to get to drive different vehicles all of the time and there was always something wrong or unpleasing if I looked close enough. Thats just the way it is I guess.

 

[trd2001]

My 4runner did this noise for a while. At 5,000 miles I installed a Magnaflow Exhaust, and now i cant hear it. I just hear a drone of a v8 on the freeway, which i love. I now have 26,000 miles, and i seem to have no problems.

I know its not a fix, but i dont expect anything to be perfect. .

 

[bobby515]

DRIVE A NEW

drive a new one first if not problems
2 words
LEMON LAW
if its that bad of noise go for the lemon law and see how fast toyota fixes it you said low miles 05 right

 

[skibama]

That's funny. I was actually about to ask anyone with an aftermarket exaust if they have the same problem. I'm almost certain it has something to do with the Sulpher TSB.
And as far as the lemon law...well, honestly I'd much rather have my truck in working order and not have to go through all that. I really think it's possibly a simple fix if Toyota would get going on it.

 

[bobby515]

you are right

also aftermarket exhaust makes perfect sense , i was just thinking if it were a major problem. i have know friends with lexas cars who had some not normal major problems who lemon lawed them but not much with toyota honda jap. cars etc..jags lots of them
bob

 

[biglatka]

That's funny. I was actually about to ask anyone with an aftermarket exaust if they have the same problem. I'm almost certain it has something to do with the Sulpher TSB.

I was thinking the same thing about a new exhaust system. Let me know if and when you decide on another exhaust system. I would want something that would bolt on, if possible, with no welding needed. I don't consider this a major problem, just an annoyance. Thanks!

 

[biglatka]

As an update on this problem, I was driving the other day, at speeds between 70-80mph, on 287 in New Jersey and unexpectedly discovered that the resonant noise/vibration has almost disappeared. If I concentrate very carefully on listening/feeling it, I think I can hear it (or feel it?) but if it's there it is very faint. I

 

[mnarcticcat]

WOW! This is amazing, with a simple search I find my fellow Toyota 4Runner owners are experiencing my pain as well.

Here's my story:

I purchased a 1997 4Runner with 169,000 miles on it last October. I've had Tacoma's prior & I love this vehicles!

At around 174,000 miles I'm experiencing the same problems as all of you are stating. I've had this thing in the shop about 5-6 times now & still nothing has been found.

I've done the following:

- Balanced & Rotated the tires (2 times!)
- Changed all of the Gear Lube over to Amsoil Synthetic Gear Lube
- Replaced U-Joints & Balanced the Drive Shaft

Still, nothing has helped. The local shop told me they would just wait until something breaks if there's truly something wrong with it. (I did not like that answer!) This is our family car & we're expecting our first child in April & don't want to be sticking my child in a car that I'm not sure is 100% mechanically sound!

The only thing I've done to this vehicle is installed a Lund Bug Shield, & OME Rear Leveling Springs.

Any.........ANY advice would be "EXTREMELY" appreciated! If I can't get this thing fixed soon I'm getting rid of it! The vehicle is worth around $5500-$6500 still & I've already lost about $400 trying to diagnose this problem. If it was worth more I might be willing to invest more.

Thanks for all of the valuable info all of you guys provide! This is a great forum!

Best Regards,

Eric (MnArcticCat)
- Minnesota

 

[a77boy]

Just to confirm what others had mentioned, I got under my 4 runner while it was running and had a friend rev it up while in drive and all brakes on,, I seem to have isolated the sound to the exhaust system. Not sure what my next step is.