Rattling sound only when accelerating
- Thread starter T4RunnerSteve
- Start date
Millerad1651
New member
I'm with ya. I have a rattle when accelerating and its driving me nuts. If I'm rolling, and throw it in neutral then punch the gas, no noise. But when I put it back in drive I can hear it.
I got under and banged around on stuff, couldn't find anything that moved. The owner before me had the cat stolen and replaced it with an aftermarket one. That'll be 4 years in October, so I'm guessing it may be on its way out.
I need to replace sway bar links and bushings. I'll do this first and see if the noise is still there. If so, it'll most likely be the cat.
I got under and banged around on stuff, couldn't find anything that moved. The owner before me had the cat stolen and replaced it with an aftermarket one. That'll be 4 years in October, so I'm guessing it may be on its way out.
I need to replace sway bar links and bushings. I'll do this first and see if the noise is still there. If so, it'll most likely be the cat.
deverlow
New member
So far I've changed spark plug wires and put Shell 89 in the tank. The old ones were pretty crummy and didn't even have a brand name or year of manufacture. Swapped in some new Sumitomo OEM wires from the stealership and off I go.
So far no rattle on my morning commute but I wasn't objectively listening for it. I'll listen more on the way home. Does higher octane fuel eventually clean out the residue and carbon from lower quality gas?
So far no rattle on my morning commute but I wasn't objectively listening for it. I'll listen more on the way home. Does higher octane fuel eventually clean out the residue and carbon from lower quality gas?
I know this is an old thread. I have searched many threads on here, none of which detail exactly what I am dealing with, so I will give it a shot:
2001 4runner Limited, 78000 miles.
I have developed an intermittent tapping/ticking sound at around 2000rpms, then gone, and back at 3000rpms. The noise is not always there. Some days bad, like today, and other days no noise at all. The noise speeds up as rpms increase. The noise sounds like it is coming from behind the glove box. I am thinking exhaust leak, but I took it to an exhaust shop and they said there was no indication of a leak. All of my exhaust seems to be tight, no heat shields loose or anything like that. If it is an exhaust leak, it would be consistent, not just intermittent and noticeable at certain rpms?
Thanks for any help.
2001 4runner Limited, 78000 miles.
I have developed an intermittent tapping/ticking sound at around 2000rpms, then gone, and back at 3000rpms. The noise is not always there. Some days bad, like today, and other days no noise at all. The noise speeds up as rpms increase. The noise sounds like it is coming from behind the glove box. I am thinking exhaust leak, but I took it to an exhaust shop and they said there was no indication of a leak. All of my exhaust seems to be tight, no heat shields loose or anything like that. If it is an exhaust leak, it would be consistent, not just intermittent and noticeable at certain rpms?
Thanks for any help.
SpidermanGeek
New member
Injectors maybe?
You could always try pinpointing the noise in the engine bay by using a wooden broom stick as a stethoscope on the engine block/heads.
Thanks,
The problem is that it does not happen when Idling in park or under acceleration in park or neutral, only when in gear while accelerating...
Cant check it while moving...
The problem is that it does not happen when Idling in park or under acceleration in park or neutral, only when in gear while accelerating...
Cant check it while moving...
Cody.Copeland
New member
Did you ever find out what was wrong with it?? I'm having the same exact problem
derekwilliams345
New member
not Sure how to tag everyone here but i had a similar issue that turned out to be my torque converter.
it would rattle on acceleration but was hard to pinpoint. And it would vibrate like crazy while stopped in gear but go away if i shifted to Neutral or park
Last edited:
derekwilliams345
New member
i had a similar issue that turned out to be my torque converter.
it would rattle on acceleration but was hard to pinpoint. And it would vibrate like crazy while stopped in gear but go away if i shifted to Neutral or park
4Runnin2000
New member
If it sounds like a metallic rattling under load it could also be detonation. Happened in mine. Replaced the MAF and all good now. Detonation, if you've never heard it before, could be confused with metallic rattling sound
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02gixxersix
New member
Old thread, but it looks like a lot of people have this same problem. I have had it since I bought the truck, and it drives me nuts. I couldn't find anything loose, but today I noticed that the heat shield around my crossover pipe at the back of the engine is loose enough to rattle around. I'm not sure how I am going to fix it since it looks about impossible to remove, but I might take a stab at tack welding it down when I do the valve cover gaskets if there is room.
Has anyone else messed that that pipe or heat shield? Is there a nut and bolt somewhere or is it just tack welded in place? If the valve cover gaskets don't fix my leak I will probably have to pull the trans to do the RMS, and it looks like it might be easily accessible that way. It annoys me less now that I think I know what it is.
Has anyone else messed that that pipe or heat shield? Is there a nut and bolt somewhere or is it just tack welded in place? If the valve cover gaskets don't fix my leak I will probably have to pull the trans to do the RMS, and it looks like it might be easily accessible that way. It annoys me less now that I think I know what it is.
I've read through the whole thread and this is specifically what I am concerned is wrong with my 02 with 240k on the clock.
I've been experiencing a very similar rattle as has been described several times in this thread. I only hear it when accelerating or when parked but in gear. As soon as I shift to neutral or park it goes away. I've been concerned it is the torque converter because when driving I often get a smell of a clutch burning up.
BrianSD_42
New member
If you hear metal rattling sounds only when driving and putting the gas on it a bit, what I call acceleration rattling then it is PROBABLY, but not 100% for sure, an exhaust leak or cracked welds somewhere on your exhaust system. The sounds I heard were a combination of whistling and metal rattle but only when in drive and only when putting a bit of gas on the throttle. For example when driving down freeway on cruise control at 65 the sound would not be pronounced at all but if I put some gas on it (just a moderate amount) to accelerate up to 75 then I will hear the sound as I speed up. The cause was the exhaust system.
19963.4lsr5
New member
Look at all the heat shields too
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seabun
Member
Solved
Finally, finally figured out what was rattling, or at least one source. Replying to this old thread in case it helps others. For me, the rattle came from two thin aluminum heat shields that sandwich the catalytic converter. Two small weld/clip spots at each end connect the shields to the converter, which is steel, and I guess the differing materials came apart. If I had welding materials I might try to stick them back on, however my solution was quick and only cost $4: two 5" stainless steel hose clamps. The diameter of the shields is around 4.75".
No more rattle at low rpm, idling in drive thru lane or at a stop light.
Finally, finally figured out what was rattling, or at least one source. Replying to this old thread in case it helps others. For me, the rattle came from two thin aluminum heat shields that sandwich the catalytic converter. Two small weld/clip spots at each end connect the shields to the converter, which is steel, and I guess the differing materials came apart. If I had welding materials I might try to stick them back on, however my solution was quick and only cost $4: two 5" stainless steel hose clamps. The diameter of the shields is around 4.75".
No more rattle at low rpm, idling in drive thru lane or at a stop light.
Attachments
2000 SR5-NH
New member
Spark plug spit out
I know this thread ended up with a different problem and resolution but wanted to share this as it may be helpful to some.
A few of you mentioned having this problem when idling or on acceleration. I recently had this issue on my 2000 SR5. Along with a very noticeable loss of power when accelerating (I was unable to get above 35-40 mph), I was getting a very loud banging sound (not engine knock) upon accelerating or even just while idling. The car started shaking and I was noticing a strong exhaust smell under the hood.
Turned out that the engine had spit a spark plug. The fuel injectors were still feeding into the engine so it ended up charring through my coils. It was a relatively inexpensive fix to replace the coils and spark plug ($250 at my local shop).
This is apparently a common issue with Ford's Triton engines but pretty rare for Toyota. Here's a helpful video that shows the sound (in a Ford). Also notice the ashy dusting under the hood. YouTube
I know this thread ended up with a different problem and resolution but wanted to share this as it may be helpful to some.
A few of you mentioned having this problem when idling or on acceleration. I recently had this issue on my 2000 SR5. Along with a very noticeable loss of power when accelerating (I was unable to get above 35-40 mph), I was getting a very loud banging sound (not engine knock) upon accelerating or even just while idling. The car started shaking and I was noticing a strong exhaust smell under the hood.
Turned out that the engine had spit a spark plug. The fuel injectors were still feeding into the engine so it ended up charring through my coils. It was a relatively inexpensive fix to replace the coils and spark plug ($250 at my local shop).
This is apparently a common issue with Ford's Triton engines but pretty rare for Toyota. Here's a helpful video that shows the sound (in a Ford). Also notice the ashy dusting under the hood. YouTube
