Loud Engine When First Starting

[VSG]

This is kind of a goofy question, but something I've noticed with V6s in trucks and SUVs in general.

When I first start up the 4Runner and drive off the idle is a bit higher (normal for any cold start), and the engine seems a lot louder for the first few seconds. It does not sound broken or anything like that, but more of an intake sound. As if the engine is sucking in more air than normal. After a few seconds, everything goes back to normal.

Is this just a result of it being in cold start/high idle mode? But once warmed up, the engine doesn't have that same sound at higher RPMs.

Just something I've been wondering about.

 

[Qyota]

This is kind of a goofy question, but something I've noticed with V6s in trucks and SUVs in general.

When I first start up the 4Runner and drive off the idle is a bit higher (normal for any cold start), and the engine seems a lot louder for the first few seconds. It does not sound broken or anything like that, but more of an intake sound. As if the engine is sucking in more air than normal. After a few seconds, everything goes back to normal.

Is this just a result of it being in cold start/high idle mode? But once warmed up, the engine doesn't have that same sound at higher RPMs.

Just something I've been wondering about.

The sound you're hearing is the viscous-clutch cooling fan. It's completely normal. The only time you should hear it is on cold starts, when it's really hot out or you aren't moving much air through the radiator, and sometimes when you start it after it's been sitting for an hour or so. What you're describing is perfectly normal!

 

[VSG]

The sound you're hearing is the viscous-clutch cooling fan. It's completely normal. The only time you should hear it is on cold starts, when it's really hot out or you aren't moving much air through the radiator, and sometimes when you start it after it's been sitting for an hour or so. What you're describing is perfectly normal!

I can't believe I didn't think of that! Definite brain fart. I figured it was normal, just couldn't figure out what.

The fans in the cars I've owned have all been barely audible. So I guess it just never occurred to me that the fan would be that noticeable when driving at low speeds. It explains why it goes away after a certain speed too.

Thanks! :rocker: