2016 TRD Pro Engine Whine

Hello, new to the forum... hoping for a little insight into a recent concern with my 2016 4Runner TRD Pro. Bought the 4Runner new back in '16... it's been absolutely perfect with no issues. Then, all of the sudden, about a month ago it developed an engine whine. It started almost as if with a flip of switch... there was no gradual worsening... it just appeared one day while driving home from work. The "whine" is consistent with RPMs and seems to be coming from the passenger side of the motor. I removed the belt and ran the motor briefly to rule out any pulleys, etc... Still no change. I also did an oil change just to see if there was a difference... nope. Also no change with outside or operating temps. So... Took it into Toyota and they gave me the standard dealer answer... "Uhhh, we think it's 'kind of' normal". My response being... "how could it be normal if it was silent for 3 years and now it whines?" They shrugged. It's really quite annoying... almost to the point I want to trade it. I compared it to several other 4Runners... some were dead silent, and one or two you could kind of hear a slight whine... but definitely not as loud as mine. So, I returned to the dealership... The service writer and tech. both agreed it was loud. I came back at the end of the day to pick it up and once again... they blew it off saying they didn't really feel it was a concern. But, this time... the tech. told me that he thinks it's the transmission oil pump but they didn't seem too inclined to investigate further. So, that's where I'm at... I love my 4Runner but I'm left with just turning the radio up. Can anyone offer any ideas? Is this normal? At what point do I call Toyota corporate? Thanks in advance for any help!

 

Whine or whistle? I assume you would have noted that you had an aftermarket or not original air intake. After trading my tacoma with a whistle at certain rpms, with a K&N intake, I tightened every new connection and looked for holes ANYWHERE air may be drawn to make that noise, with no fix, even when I let it go. So where I’m going with this is, check all clamps, openings, gaskets, and/or filters in your intake, that’s what I would do on my end.

 

Thanks. Definitely a mechanical “whine”, not a whistle. And yes, stock intake... everything is sealed and tight. One would assume an idler pulley or power steering pump... it’s that type of noise. But, I ran the motor briefly with no belt to rule out pulleys, accessories, etc. It sounds internal. I’m still under warranty... but they don’t seem to want to investigate further even though they agree that it’s a loud, irritating whine.

 

Take it to another dealer if yours won’t look into it.

 

Front diff needle bearing?

 

Try switching into 4WD and see if it still whines...the needle bearing is in that area you describe.

 

Call Corporate now. Your dealer is giving you the run around

 

Wife’s 4Runner does the same thing but its not all that loud. Sounds similar to an alternator whine in a stereo system with a ground problem, thats my best description.

 

I read that all wrong

 

Thanks guys. I tried the 4WD... no difference unfortunately. I’m pretty certain the tech. might be right... it does sound as if it could be the oil pump. I just can’t get my head wrapped around why one day it’s silent, and the next it’s whining... and the dealership just shrugs. I wish I knew what is considered a “normal” sound. But seems I’m going to have to make that call to Toyota.

 

Sorry to hear. At my dealer they have only 1 tech who had the knowledge to fix mine. He keeps it running like new.

 

Hey hey all,

I noticed the same noise with my '19, and was speaking with the head tech at my dealer. Evidently there is an air pump that pumps air into the engine, and this is what we are hearing and it is normal. It is the same noise you hear when turning off the vehicle, of the system purging. I was starting to worry that something was wrong too, but this is done as a part of the whole ECO process that everyone is jumping on now... I hope this helps...

 

Hi OP,

Any follow-up info on your issue? Il add another case of this "whining noise". Same scenario, about 2.5 years (20k miles) after i bought my vehicle brand new it suddenly developed a whining noise. It's happens while accelerating over 1500 rpms. 1st dealer replaced idler pulley then alternator before declaring it a normal sound. Im still under warranty but not sure how far i want techs taking apart my fairly new vehicle. The sound is distinct. It reminds me of a failing power steering pump or (glass half full) a working supercharger

 

Hi guys, did anyone have any luck tracking down the whine. I have a 2016 trail and it just started doing the same thing.
same as this video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RAoPPbJZKA

also does it in Park.

 

Unfortunately I have not. Just learned to turn the music up and deal with it.

 

Interesting. I've noticed a whine on occasion as well, usually during moderate acceleration.

 

I just spoke to a fellow 5th gen owner who had the exact same problem. He said he narrowed the issue down to a faulty bearing in a sprocket. The part number is 13530-31021.

He said he had the dealership fix it and it was a pretty major job pulling the engine apart due to some other mods he had. They couldn't clearly identify it with the other accessories installed so it become a bigger process of elimination. Due that they replaced other components prior to finding the sprocket.

He added in hindsight, he'd just live with the sound and just ignore it as it wasn't a dangerous / risky issue longterm problem.

 

Mine whines too but its coming from the front passenger seat. The only way to fix it is to give it something to eat.

 

Anyone gonna try this fix? That's alot of work to do and not be certain it will fix the noise. I will look into it when it comes time to service the chain. You would be hard pressed for a dealership to replace under warranty. Is there a test that can be done to 100% verify it is this sprocket?

 

Dangerous

 

I have this exact same noise. Noise is related to engine RPM, not load. Higher the RPM, higher the whine.

 

Murphy’s Law states that all will be evident when the warranty expires. Or, in the corollary, all will become evident the further you are from civilization when it fails.

 

New owner of a 2017 TRD OFF-ROAD 38k miles I was very excited since Ive been wanting this rig for a while. Sadly ive noticed this whine Ive been asking around some people say is normal but it’s loud it’s like failing power steering pump sound. I traded in an Escalade because I wanted some reliable this worries the heck out of me. Right I’m sitting at the dealership to see what excuse do I get. They sold me this not even 2 weeks ago and it was supposed to be fully inspected but ya know how that goes.

 

Bummer, the good news is that it is not normal and can be fixed. Since you caught it early, hopefully they will fix it on their dime. My 2018 ORP is dead quiet, as it should be. Yours will be too.

 

Thank you sir! So do we know what is causing this on the 4Runners? And how bad could be?

 

They replaced the idle pulley but the noise still there

 

I don’t think it’s the subject of a technical bulletin, to my knowledge, so it’s not a condition that all 4 Runners have. It sounds like your dealer is crossing his fingers and trying to fix the cheapest possibility. Obviously, it didn’t work if the noise is still there. If they can’t diagnose the problem, take it to someone who can, and then get them to fix it. Even if you pay for the diagnosis yourself, it will be worth it. There are lots of good, knowledgeable, and honest mechanics around that can help you. Ask around, maybe someone on here lives in your area and can advise you who to take it to.

 

My 2016 whines, my buddies 2018 whines most 4Runners has that ‘whine’ it’s I’ve come to love it. It’s just like the Toya Knock

 

You have them now. Once there is a repair attempt made, legally they have admitted there’s a problem. Call Toyota customer care and tell them that they dealer acknowledged the problem and has tried to fixed it but they are unable.

This is literally the reason service advisors try to blow off complaints, once they write it up and a repair attempt has been made all the legal power goes to the customer.