The 3.4L TRD Supercharger Thread

[Killer Squirrel]

Since I am not familiar with this engine and the supercharger came on the truck when I bought it last month, I am not sure what is 'normal'. I have what sounds like a vacuum leak at idle coming from directly behind the supercharger. I look at all the hose routes, replaced vacuum hoses and made sure they all had a solid connection. I removed the supercharger and cleaned it up, checked that the wastegate valve thing was holding vacuum (seals are fine it seems) and put it back on with a new manifold gasket. Nothing changed, still have what sounds like a vacuum leak. I guess I can try and get a video with sound and post it up but I'm pretty much at a loss. I can't even be certain that is not what this engine/sc does normally since I have no baseline.

 

[LiquidFlame]

Hepar and gamefreak, thanks for the input. Yes the noise goes away when its not in gear, or if I'm driving. But when I'm stopped its very loud. It sounds like the noise is coming from the rotors hitting the housing. The rotors and housing were scored when I pulled them out originally, so its hard to tell if thats the problem now.
I replaced the needle bearings so I don't think its those that failed.
Does anybody know if theres supposed to be play in the rotor assembly? When I had it out, I could pull the rotors apart about 1/16". I figured the bearings would prevent it from wobbling around though.
I need to figure something out because I'm kinda scared to drive it, I don't want to score up my housing ....

 

[gamefreakgc]

Since I am not familiar with this engine and the supercharger came on the truck when I bought it last month, I am not sure what is 'normal'. I have what sounds like a vacuum leak at idle coming from directly behind the supercharger. I look at all the hose routes, replaced vacuum hoses and made sure they all had a solid connection. I removed the supercharger and cleaned it up, checked that the wastegate valve thing was holding vacuum (seals are fine it seems) and put it back on with a new manifold gasket. Nothing changed, still have what sounds like a vacuum leak. I guess I can try and get a video with sound and post it up but I'm pretty much at a loss. I can't even be certain that is not what this engine/sc does normally since I have no baseline.

Try this, works very well for finding a leak, just do it when the engine is cold.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9CPqbaSgcok" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Hepar and gamefreak, thanks for the input. Yes the noise goes away when its not in gear, or if I'm driving. But when I'm stopped its very loud. It sounds like the noise is coming from the rotors hitting the housing. The rotors and housing were scored when I pulled them out originally, so its hard to tell if thats the problem now.
I replaced the needle bearings so I don't think its those that failed.
Does anybody know if theres supposed to be play in the rotor assembly? When I had it out, I could pull the rotors apart about 1/16". I figured the bearings would prevent it from wobbling around though.
I need to figure something out because I'm kinda scared to drive it, I don't want to score up my housing ....

It's really hard to say without hearing it myself, and videos don't capture sound very well. You have to try hard to grenade one of these chargers since they are small and operate under small boost. I would not worry too much, since if you took the rotors out and there way play, with all all put together and tightened up there should be no issues.

I do have a question, when you took it out, was the paint chipping off the ends of the rotors?

 

[SCRunner12]

Unfortunately the superchargers are all completely different. Some new from Toyota sounded like a diesel and others were completely silent. If it becomes silent when revved and driving, then you should be fine.

Here is a friend of mines first start on a brand new SC, sounds like marbles in there, but nothing was wrong with it and he never had an issue. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyEH37LEs3Y

Here is another first start and it is pretty silent (shout out to [MENTION=57546]4-Ripcord[/MENTION]). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7HGVzGioAk

Here is a SC in need of a rebuild, it gets a bit quieter at high rpm's but the rattle can still be heard. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EVNajXA4wU


I would post a video of it on here and we can let you know.

 

[LiquidFlame]

It's really hard to say without hearing it myself, and videos don't capture sound very well. You have to try hard to grenade one of these chargers since they are small and operate under small boost. I would not worry too much, since if you took the rotors out and there way play, with all all put together and tightened up there should be no issues.

I do have a question, when you took it out, was the paint chipping off the ends of the rotors?

The paint was chipping off on the outsides of the rotors yes. When I took the rotors out the second time, I didn't notice more chipping (the obvious sign its hitting the walls) but I could be wrong of course.

Unfortunately the superchargers are all completely different. Some new from Toyota sounded like a diesel and others were completely silent. If it becomes silent when revved and driving, then you should be fine.

Here is a friend of mines first start on a brand new SC, sounds like marbles in there, but nothing was wrong with it and he never had an issue. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyEH37LEs3Y

Here is another first start and it is pretty silent (shout out to [MENTION=57546]4-Ripcord[/MENTION]). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7HGVzGioAk

Here is a SC in need of a rebuild, it gets a bit quieter at high rpm's but the rattle can still be heard. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EVNajXA4wU

I would post a video of it on here and we can let you know.

Got a quick video, hopefully you can hear what I'm talking about. It sounds fine in park, but after I get in and put it in drive, it makes that noise. Goes away with a little gas. The only reason I'm worried is because it didn't sound this bad before I put in the new bearings.
Anyways, check out the video:

 

[gamefreakgc]

The paint was chipping off on the outsides of the rotors yes. When I took the rotors out the second time, I didn't notice more chipping (the obvious sign its hitting the walls) but I could be wrong of course.



Got a quick video, hopefully you can hear what I'm talking about. It sounds fine in park, but after I get in and put it in drive, it makes that noise. Goes away with a little gas. The only reason I'm worried is because it didn't sound this bad before I put in the new bearings.
Anyways, check out the video:

Sounds fine in idle like you said. They are much noisier in gear at idle even mine is. You didn't quite rev it high enough for me to get a good comparison to mine, but nothing too out of the ordinary there.

I think you are ok, let it drive about for a bit and then if you want, check it again in a couple thousand miles.

I never replaced the rear bearings, on the nose cose on mine. The rear needle bearings rarely ever fail and are a complete pain to get out.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Unfortunately the superchargers are all completely different. Some new from Toyota sounded like a diesel and others were completely silent. If it becomes silent when revved and driving, then you should be fine.

Here is a friend of mines first start on a brand new SC, sounds like marbles in there, but nothing was wrong with it and he never had an issue. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyEH37LEs3Y

Here is another first start and it is pretty silent (shout out to [MENTION=57546]4-Ripcord[/MENTION]). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7HGVzGioAk

Here is a SC in need of a rebuild, it gets a bit quieter at high rpm's but the rattle can still be heard. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EVNajXA4wU


I would post a video of it on here and we can let you know.

Hey SCRunner, I came across this video which is a really nice install and dyno run video, do you think it would have value on the front page of this thread for people adding a S/C?

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eHnCvHCmw5g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[SCRunner12]

The paint was chipping off on the outsides of the rotors yes. When I took the rotors out the second time, I didn't notice more chipping (the obvious sign its hitting the walls) but I could be wrong of course.



Got a quick video, hopefully you can hear what I'm talking about. It sounds fine in park, but after I get in and put it in drive, it makes that noise. Goes away with a little gas. The only reason I'm worried is because it didn't sound this bad before I put in the new bearings.
Anyways, check out the video:

I'll have to listen later, couldn't hear that well on my phone.

Hey SCRunner, I came across this video which is a really nice install and dyno run video, do you think it would have value on the front page of this thread for people adding a S/C?

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eHnCvHCmw5g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Couldn't hurt, I'll add it and try to update the first post pictures. Also should have some 1st gen sc pictures and info soon.

 

[Killer Squirrel]

Try this, works very well for finding a leak, just do it when the engine is cold.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9CPqbaSgcok" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Awsome, this worked great. I've heard of the carb cleaner method but I've never wanted to do that because carb cleaner is really rough on paint and parts, I didn't want that sprayed all over my engine bay. I found the leak, it's right on top of the supercharger where that oval tube part feeds back into the upper housing. Is this a normal to have a vacuum leak? This is an older photo btw, it has been cleaned up a lot since this was taken (I removed the s/c and replaced the manifold gasket after cleaning it all up).

 

[gamefreakgc]

Awsome, this worked great. I've heard of the carb cleaner method but I've never wanted to do that because carb cleaner is really rough on paint and parts, I didn't want that sprayed all over my engine bay. I found the leak, it's right on top of the supercharger where that oval tube part feeds back into the upper housing. Is this a normal to have a vacuum leak? This is an older photo btw, it has been cleaned up a lot since this was taken (I removed the s/c and replaced the manifold gasket after cleaning it all up).

No, vacuum leaks are not normal and kill performance. You'll want to reseat that part or put a heat resistant sealant of some sort there.

 

[Killer Squirrel]

No, vacuum leaks are not normal and kill performance. You'll want to reseat that part or put a heat resistant sealant of some sort there.

Sorry, I guess what I meant to ask is if that is a common leak location. How is that part sealed, is there a gasket of some sort inside? I wasn't sure how it all came apart.

 

[Dinabox]

Sorry, I guess what I meant to ask is if that is a common leak location. How is that part sealed, is there a gasket of some sort inside? I wasn't sure how it all came apart.

There is a o-ring that supposedly seals it. I bought some right stuff gasket maker and sealed mine, no leaks ever again.

 

[Killer Squirrel]

There is a o-ring that supposedly seals it. I bought some right stuff gasket maker and sealed mine, no leaks ever again.

Can that be removed easily without taking the s/c off? Looks like a few hex bolts and that whole piece would come off.

 

[LiquidFlame]

So now my S/C makes the noise in neutral/park where it didn't do it before. Does anyone have any other opinions? Or know of someone I could call and talk to about it? Thinking about buying a stock intake manifold and pulling the charger off until I can figure out the problem...

 

[LiquidFlame]

So an update if anyone was curious:
Since I rebuilt my supercharger, Ive been dealing with a P0171. Cleaned my MAF, checked the throttle body gasket, intake tube leaks, etc. Found there was a hidden barb on the back of the supercharger where it meets the TB for the throttle opener, and it was just open. Sucking in un-metered air will obviously throw a lean condition. Since I have an 02 with the half DBW throttle body, all I had to do was plug it up. So hopefully thats the reason for the code and it will stay off.
That being said, my supercharger is quieter now that the hole is plugged. Maybe the lean mixture was making my idle too low and thats the reason for the noise? Would fall in line with the fact that as soon as I gave it any gas the noise went away.
Anyways, I'm happy it was something small. I hate vacuum hoses....

 

[Killer Squirrel]

Same here, but my leak was from that o-ring. I used some gasket maker and let it cure for a day and now no more lean code, hurray!

 

[gamefreakgc]

So an update if anyone was curious:
Since I rebuilt my supercharger, Ive been dealing with a P0171. Cleaned my MAF, checked the throttle body gasket, intake tube leaks, etc. Found there was a hidden barb on the back of the supercharger where it meets the TB for the throttle opener, and it was just open. Sucking in un-metered air will obviously throw a lean condition. Since I have an 02 with the half DBW throttle body, all I had to do was plug it up. So hopefully thats the reason for the code and it will stay off.
That being said, my supercharger is quieter now that the hole is plugged. Maybe the lean mixture was making my idle too low and thats the reason for the noise? Would fall in line with the fact that as soon as I gave it any gas the noise went away.
Anyways, I'm happy it was something small. I hate vacuum hoses....

Wait, was it a brass barb? It should be hooked up to your Fuel Pressure Regulator via a vacuum hose if yes.

 

[LiquidFlame]

Wait, was it a brass barb? It should be hooked up to your Fuel Pressure Regulator via a vacuum hose if yes.

No, the barb is on the flange where the sc meets the tb. On previous years, its for the "vacuum throttle opener." But since I have an 02 with the partial drive by wire tb, I don't have that on mine. I found a moderators build thread on tacomaworld who had the exact same problem as me, he just capped it and was fine ever since.
See post #69 in his thread to see what I mean.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/jberrys-retarded-desert-penguin.138220/page-4

 

[bay_area4runner]

Hey guys, not sure if I should ask here but I'll give it a shot... so I was thinking of doing the SC soon but I don't really want to do the URD because I don't have a shop around that would be able to tune it for me, but I read that I can install Supra injectors instead of using the stock injectors to avoid the pinging.

Is this true? Can the Supra injectors eliminate the pinging also would it still matter if I did the URD after installing the injectors, any advice or help would be appreciated

 

[ninjaexplosion]

Hey guys, not sure if I should ask here but I'll give it a shot... so I was thinking of doing the SC soon but I don't really want to do the URD because I don't have a shop around that would be able to tune it for me, but I read that I can install Supra injectors instead of using the stock injectors to avoid the pinging.

Is this true? Can the Supra injectors eliminate the pinging also would it still matter if I did the URD after installing the injectors, any advice or help would be appreciated

You don't need a shop to tune it for you. It comes with a great tune for daily driving

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