Engine noise at idle

Hello all,
I am recently retired and as a retirement gift to myself I bought a 2018 4Runner.
Was always a Toyota fan having several highlanders and finally bought my dream runner.

so far it has been great, however, I have noticed an engine noise, almost sounds like a main bearing rattle, most noticeable at idle and slow acceleration. It has 23k miles and I love driving it.

Was hoping for any history or info that could calm my worries about this noise.

any info would be greatly appreciated

Bernie

 

The 4.0L has a known “knock” that can be very noticeable, and also a known engine whine. I haven’t heard of bearing issues with these engines. If you’re really worried, take it to the dealer. You have a 3 yr/36k bumper to bumper warranty, and a 5 yr/60k warranty.

 

Many thanks for the reply,
Dealer visit next week,
Thanks again,
B

 

They are noisy engines

 

The engine in my 2019 with 5000 miles is noisier than the engine in my FJ with 140k miles

 

Pump up the volume on your favorite music
J

 

Try a tank of premium fuel and see if it makes a difference. It’s probably nothing. These engines are noisy.

 

I’m sure glad I found this form. 2020 Limited with 1000 miles. Yes it has a “knock” and is noisy for a new engine. But this is my first 4Runner and was not familiar with the engine sounds. Seems to run great and drives well. Mentioned that on cold start up tach goes up to 1900 and begins to come back down to 1400. With over 6 qts of oil perhaps the engineering is to get the mechanicals of the engine covered in the oil quicker?

 

Could be.

The knock or tick is apparently caused by the lifters.

 

That’s what it sounds like-lifters

 

this is the noisiest engine i ever had, louder than a hemi, louder than the old trusty V8 in my Roadmaster

 

Just another vote for "noisy engine; nothing wrong". We've had 4 5th gen 4Rs and 1 2nd gen Taco with the same engine, they all sound....errr.... rough...

 

I bought mine used with just under 80k, and the first 6 months I owned it I was CERTAIN that there was something wrong internally with the motor. Did a ton of research, and everyone said it's normal. I even posted some videos, and had my buddy who's a Yota tech listen to it. Normal, everyone said.

I still think it sounds like it's about to shoot a rocker through the hood, but whatever. Just another 4R quirk, I guess.

Honestly though, I am VERY surprised that Toyota engineers thought this was okay, as far as NVH goes. Not to mention all the engine noise in the cabin, I try to not to take mine over 2k rpm much so I don't have to hear the damn thing.

Yes it's reliable, but IMO the motor is by far my least favorite part of this vehicle. I've owned a Ford, a Jeep, numerous GMs, and a Volvo, and this is by far my least favorite engine. The runner up is probably the Ford 4.6 (single cam) V8 in the Cougar. It had a pathetic power output, but at least it was so smooth and quiet you couldn't tell it was running.

 

I agree that the tick is annoying. The 4.7 V8 in my '03 was so quiet. I loved that motor! Normal or not, it makes it sound like shit.

 

I love the tap of the lifters. It's a very comfortable normal for a sometimes busy life.

 

The noise is from the complex valve timing. They are a little loud now that timing chain has replaced quieter timing belt setup. It's a long chain with one main chain from crank up to intake cams that uses two hydraulic tensioners. Then there are two slave chains connecting exhaust cams to intake cams, which utilize four variable cam timing hydraulic phasers, and all that requires a real thin oil viscosity of 0-W-20. It gets real busy up there real quick, that's why they clatter. I have 3 - 2019 4Runners and they all sound the same - a bit noisy.

 

Thanks for the detailed explanation. Yes it is very busy and thus some noise would be expected.
Only other thing is upon cold start up the rpms go to ~1900 and then begins to drop down to ~1100. This is within a span of less then 30 seconds. This is my first 4Runner so don’t have the experience of start up familiarity.
It runs great and all systems are working well with no complaints.
Thanks Glenn

 

When I switched to synthetic one time (and later switched back to Conventional) I had ENGINE noise. I also got drips I don't get with conventional 5W 30.

I have 2005 V6 with 150,000 miles. Starts right up and idles great. Had this since new. Always sounded the same. 2WD

OEM tranny, WP, alternator, radiator, drive shaft, rear end differential - RDiff serviced this myself at 100,000 miles with three quarts of Valvoline 85/90W gear oil.

replaced tires, batteries, coolant, brakes

15 years truck never broke down or had to be towed anywhere.

Three starters had to be replaced. OEM lasted 4 years
I have a Quality Built starter that came with a Lifetime warranty in there now for 4 years.
I called Quality and asked about their LT warranty, and they told me if it ever fails they will replace it.

 

Cold start RPM drop is normal.

 

I like it too. Reminds me of an old John Deere.

 

Some days it sounds like a school bus, so I just pretend I have a diesel.

 

I was particularly interested in the fact the engine on cold start up revs up to ~1900 and then begins to drop down. It makes quite a roar at start up. Normal?

 

Yes 100% normal, the noise and high RPM. Fan clutch is causing the "roar," no electric cooling fans on the engine.

 

Try adding some Marvel Mystery oil in yor fuel tank at the next fill up. Check directions for correct amount. I run this in my runner and tundra and seems to quiet these engines down a bit. Won't hurt any components.

 

Normal.

2005 4runner 150,000 miles.

They probably want the oil up there fast to the lifters, pistons, etc.

 

Welcome Bernie!

If she's new to you, it wouldn't hurt to do an oil and filter change to make sure the correct oil is in there. I don't think any other maintenance items are due yet. Lots of good info for that stuff on this forum.

 

Your engine is the earlier (and slightly less powerful) version. I have that engine in my 07' FJ and I can assure you that it's quieter than my 19' 4 litre.

 

Toyota 0-20wt engine oil has moly additive in it. the moly coats the engine parts .. when the engine starts up cold then the engine is quieter then using mobil 0-20wt ..last year the sn plus quiets down engines.. Toyota created this a few years ago..

 

Interesting. Anyone else agree with this / also experience less noise with the OEM oil than with stuff like Mobil 1? And anyone know who makes Toyota's oil? Presumably the same formulation is being sold retail by someone somewhere.

PS I don't find mine to be all that noisy. I mean, it's certainly no smoothie like the BMW straight sixes I've had, or the 2.0 4 from Audi/VW. But it doesn't seem much louder than the 2.0 4 in my WRX, and honestly behaves a lot better than that POS did. Noise and character-wise, it's pretty similar to the 2.5 4 in the Forester we used to have. That engine was pretty darn agricultural.

 

Toyota oil has a darker color has MOLY 800PPM ... that is why MOLY additive works better .. and I can check my oil level easier than Mobil1 .. mobil oil is very clear .. hard to read the stick..
so my 4runner starts up slower than my 1996 Impala.. the 4runner 3 cranks then starts up cold/hot....my Impala I turn the key for 1sec ... then starts.. weird that a 25year old vehicle starts much faster than a new vehicle...
Toyota probably programed the computer to crank the engine longer so that the oil will flow thru the passageways ..