Magnuson SC Kit Idles Like Garbage - HELP!

[TheWraith]

Man I hope you figure it out ...

I'm sub'ing because I'm close to purchasing a s/c for mine

 

[Wolfman’s Brother]

This sucks to read and I really feel for the OP for laying out the cash only to deal with this afterwards.

What a roller coaster of emotion. You’re about to pick up your SC 4Runner only to realize somethings wrong. Fcking hell.

I’m kicking around the idea of Jet Ski or Magnuson. This thread is giving me flashbacks to chasing small issues with my brothers big turbo Honda and what a nightmare it can be to spend a bunch of money and just not be able to get everything perfect. No thanks.

 

[brokamonster]

You think maybe the metal bracket where all the pulleys mount to is machined out of spec? That would be the only reason why no amount of pulleys and tensioners will fix your issue. Sometimes it’s the simplest things that cause the biggest headaches. :sadwave:

It very well could be. Perhaps, something isn't concentric or it's possible Magnuson's belt drive system or tune just isn't set up to handle the Limited's AWD in every scenario.

I'm now prepared to take some formal action against the dealer, so hopefully, they follow through on their word and remedy the issue.

 

[brokamonster]

Man I hope you figure it out ...

I'm sub'ing because I'm close to purchasing a s/c for mine

I will definitely share the outcome and any updates as it evolved.

I'd hope to have had this figured out by now but things sort of got derailed the last few months as pandemic unfolded.

I'm a small business owner so I had bigger fish to fry but I'm refocused on putting pressure on the dealer to make this right.

 

[brokamonster]

This sucks to read and I really feel for the OP for laying out the cash only to deal with this afterwards.

What a roller coaster of emotion. You’re about to pick up your SC 4Runner only to realize somethings wrong. Fcking hell.

I’m kicking around the idea of Jet Ski or Magnuson. This thread is giving me flashbacks to chasing small issues with my brothers big turbo Honda and what a nightmare it can be to spend a bunch of money and just not be able to get everything perfect. No thanks.

It's especially infuriating in this case because the Magnuson kit is marketed as OEM quality, quiet, reliable, one-day install, etc. Not my experience!

 

[brokamonster]

Can you shoot another video? We need to see what's happening here:

I never got a video of the bypass valve but it is functioning properly.

:frusty:

 

[pheen]

Any update to this?

 

[wcslv]

You could check the pulley alignment with a flat piece of steel. Put the steel edge on the face of the SC pulley have it go down to the lower pulley passed the pulley just below SC pulley and see if it is out. The way the belt is acting it looks like those two pulleys are not aligned.

 

[brokamonster]

Any update to this?

Yes, I have an appointment this Monday to have the kit removed. The dealer nor Magnuson replied to me until I got a lawyer involved and demanded action.

The dealer and Magnuson agreed to my resolution - remove the kit and give me a refund. Magnuson has provided all the OEM parts to the dealer so they can return the 4Runner back to stock.

Magnuson did finally call me and explain that they think it was an out of spec tensioner (bad spring rate) and asked to let the dealer try a 5th time to repair the kit. I said no thanks. They already replaced the tensioner twice and that didn't work.

All parties involved have been very friendly since my lawyer explained how warranties work, lol

Not an ideal outcome but I should have a stock 4.0L and a ton of $$$ in my pocket by this Friday. I'll let everyone know how it ends up. Fingers-crossed.

 

[pheen]

Yes, I have an appointment this Monday to have the kit removed. The dealer nor Magnuson replied to me until I got a lawyer involved and demanded action.

The dealer and Magnuson agreed to my resolution - remove the kit and give me a refund. Magnuson has provided all the OEM parts to the dealer so they can return the 4Runner back to stock.

Magnuson did finally call me and explain that they think it was an out of spec tensioner (bad spring rate) and asked to let the dealer try a 5th time to repair the kit. I said no thanks. They already replaced the tensioner twice and that didn't work.

All parties involved have been very friendly since my lawyer explained how warranties work, lol

Not an ideal outcome but I should have a stock 4.0L and a ton of $$$ in my pocket by this Friday. I'll let everyone know how it ends up. Fingers-crossed.

Fingers crossed! Glad to hear that you got some resolution.

I have trying to get a hold of Magnuson myself because of a stupid issue with idling issue too. Of course they are not getting back... Completely frustrating.

 

[anomalous]

I agree. Glad you got it resolved.

Out of curiosity, what kind if idling issues are you experiencing? Is it something that happened over time, or have you always had problems from day one? I've had mine installed for about 6k miles now, and no problems yet. Had one on my Tacoma for over 60k miles and only problems I had were the bearings in the idler pullers going bad twice

Fingers crossed! Glad to hear that you got some resolution.

I have trying to get a hold of Magnuson myself because of a stupid issue with idling issue too. Of course they are not getting back... Completely frustrating.

 

[TheWraith]

Yes, I have an appointment this Monday to have the kit removed. The dealer nor Magnuson replied to me until I got a lawyer involved and demanded action.

The dealer and Magnuson agreed to my resolution - remove the kit and give me a refund. Magnuson has provided all the OEM parts to the dealer so they can return the 4Runner back to stock.

Magnuson did finally call me and explain that they think it was an out of spec tensioner (bad spring rate) and asked to let the dealer try a 5th time to repair the kit. I said no thanks. They already replaced the tensioner twice and that didn't work.

All parties involved have been very friendly since my lawyer explained how warranties work, lol

Not an ideal outcome but I should have a stock 4.0L and a ton of $$$ in my pocket by this Friday. I'll let everyone know how it ends up. Fingers-crossed.

I always wondered how much lawyer fees would run ???

 

[pheen]

The kit is brand new and installed over memorial weekend. The noise is a buzzing noise when the ac compressor is on.

I have a new tensioner and idler pulley coming soon. Its just garbage that I got no help from Magnuson.

Here is a link to a video of my issue. You can clearly hear the noise at 13 sec in.

4runner_idle.mov - Google Drive

I agree. Glad you got it resolved.

Out of curiosity, what kind if idling issues are you experiencing? Is it something that happened over time, or have you always had problems from day one? I've had mine installed for about 6k miles now, and no problems yet. Had one on my Tacoma for over 60k miles and only problems I had were the bearings in the idler pullers going bad twice

 

[brokamonster]

Fingers crossed! Glad to hear that you got some resolution.

I have trying to get a hold of Magnuson myself because of a stupid issue with idling issue too. Of course they are not getting back... Completely frustrating.

Magnuson told me when they finally called back that their policy is not to talk directly to customers :help:

They prefer to have their end-users go through the dealer.

 

[brokamonster]

I agree. Glad you got it resolved.

Out of curiosity, what kind if idling issues are you experiencing? Is it something that happened over time, or have you always had problems from day one? I've had mine installed for about 6k miles now, and no problems yet. Had one on my Tacoma for over 60k miles and only problems I had were the bearings in the idler pullers going bad twice

It has excessive belt flutter at idle, to the point you can see the belt flapping back and forth and it'll cause so many vibrations it can be felt inside the cabin.

I noticed the issue almost immediately after installation, it wasn't something that failed over time. It was defective from day-1.

 

[brokamonster]

The kit is brand new and installed over memorial weekend. The noise is a buzzing noise when the ac compressor is on.

I have a new tensioner and idler pulley coming soon. Its just garbage that I got no help from Magnuson.

Here is a link to a video of my issue. You can clearly hear the noise at 13 sec in.

4runner_idle.mov - Google Drive

Yes, this is the exact issue mine has except I have much more belt flutter.

Did you buy direct or through a dealer? You shoud be supported and covered by their warranty either way.

Magnuson has told me they believe the issue is related to defective tensioners with bad spring rates. However, my kit had 3 different tensioners and none of them solved the issue.

Unbelievable that they won't support their product!

 

[pheen]

I purchased my kit from an authorized dealer.

Tim from Magnuson reached out and sent me a replacement pulley which arrived the next day, which I appreciate. The new tensioner actually solved the issue and the noise is gone so I am a happy camper.

Here is a picture for reference. The old pulley is up top and the new pulley is the bottom pulley. Looks like a new design.

Yes, this is the exact issue mine has except I have much more belt flutter.

Did you buy direct or through a dealer? You shoud be supported and covered by their warranty either way.

Magnuson has told me they believe the issue is related to defective tensioners with bad spring rates. However, my kit had 3 different tensioners and none of them solved the issue.

Unbelievable that they won't support their product!

 

[anomalous]

I purchased my kit from an authorized dealer.

Tim from Magnuson reached out and sent me a replacement pulley which arrived the next day, which I appreciate. The new tensioner actually solved the issue and the noise is gone so I am a happy camper.

Here is a picture for reference. The old pulley is up top and the new pulley is the bottom pulley. Looks like a new design.

Awesome ! Good to know that Magnuson took care of you, and that it was a simple fix

 

[Dillusion]

While I don't have one on my 4R I did have one on my TBSS.

And nothing but good experiences. They even helped me with some questions after I changed my pulley system to an aftermarket 8 rib.

Just find it weird that they wouldn't help.

 

[brokamonster]

Final update, the dealer did remove the kit last week and gave me a refund.

We know 4Runners are painfully slow, but damn they are so slow! Once you go SC you should never go back, lol.

Good on Magnuson for providing all the OEM parts needed for the reversal (after I threatened to sue the dealer).

Bad on Magnuson and their dealer for attempting to ignore me long enough for me to go away.

I'm glad my issue prompted them to keep digging and find the manufacturing issue in the tensioners.

Thanks for everyone that helped with suggestions and provided video of properly working kits :-D

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