On extremely single digit arctic air I'm hearing extra tapping noise over the normal valve chatter

I’m really debating oil brands now since this noise started on my 4 runner driving it in arctic low temperature for a whole week and Sunday at 23F the cold /start tapping noises over the valve clatter left me scarred for life in my ( GOLDEN YEARS) also my local mechanic. (A little background on the mechanic) He has an old school garage set up with the most (modern tools available) with two bays.He has two exotic cars himself he services regularly a Lamborghini and Audi R8 .He has been not only my mechanic also my best friend for over 30 years. I was under the lift with the mechanic every single service oil change repairs etc. everything that’s been done to my 4 runner after the 5/60K powertrain warranty expired. Myself and my mechanic don’t believe it has nothing to do with the oil brand at this point since we only used only on the 4 runner 0w20 weight (very important to keep after every manufacturer oil weight specs can’t stress this enough how important this is for me personally)
Maybe I will try Toyota OEM oil soon. All my other repairs were done with Toyota OEM FLUIDS AND PARTS except the ENGINE OIL. It developed normal Valve Clatter noise while it was being serviced with Toyota oil every 5K for the first 60,000 miles.

 

It essentially replaces a quart of oil. Just follow the instructions and operate your vehicle normally for XXXX number of miles. Follow that up with a complete oild change.

 

Sorry, that the this happened with your Tacoma also. Looks like I’m not the only one out here with 128k experiencing this. Thank you for your response.

 

I honestly don't think that the oil you're using is an issue. If you're concerned about it, you can send it off for analysis. Valve chatter is pretty common among most of the Japanese automakers. A lot of the motors don't use self-adjusting valves, so they require an adjustment at certain intervals. All of my Hondas/Acuras have required this adjustment at 100k+ miles. Check with your mechanic on the cost. It requires the removal of the valve covers, then the mechanic will use a feeler gauge and adjust them until they're back in factory spec. The last time I had a mechanic do this was quite some time ago on a J series V6 Honda motor and they charged about $150ish to do it.

 

BG44 is a fuel additive cleaner not for the engine. Not sure which way OP was intending to use seafoam cause it can be used in either.

 

I do not like additives in general. Seafoam is the one and only additive I swear by and have used countless times for many decades. If your noise is due to sticking/gummed up lifters, it will fix your problem and cause zero harm to your engine. It's a very cheap and easy way to either resolve the issue entirely or at least point you in another direction.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agAWXnT4-EQ

 

Thank you for bringing this to my attention! I didn't realize that when they changed over to the dual VVTI configuration of the motor, they moved to self-adjusting hydraulic lifters. In that case, it could be a damaged, stuck, or dirty lifter that is causing the issue.

 

I just messaged him on instagram, hopefully he will know a solution. Thank you for the recommendation!

 

https://youtube.com/shorts/7kVhupgzvUw?si=jd8tiI06yRJW997U

18 Toyota 4runner 36F on first cold/start extra tapping noise over the normal valve chatter.

 

He’s mentioned in previous videos that these engines are so reliable that hardly any mechanic has taken them apart. Maybe he’ll be so intrigued by that noise, that he’ll have to feature your engine in one of his videos!

Hearing the noise on the latest video was a bit more concerning because the temp was a balmy 36 F. But at the same time, that tapping was so loud, it makes me wonder if it has to do with belts, pulleys, or just something flapping around on the outside of the engine. Have you personally done a careful visual inspection in the engine bay? I would not assume the dealer did this (sorry to be so pessimistic about them).

 

Unfortunately, he has never responded back on Instagram. Meanwhile my mechanic checked it over himself all pulleys check ok. The extra tapping noise is noticeable on cold start around 10 seconds after engine starts idling and can last for 2 minutes. I’m lost at this point.
Looks more serious since it also appears at 36 F..

 

I also contacted Scotty_the_mechanic on instagram.

 

Just my two cents here, I have a 2023 4Runner with ~6000km on it I bought new in the fall, so not a used rig like yours. But I'm from Canada in the Rocky Mountains, and we have already seen -30°C temperatures and below this winter(so like = -22F or below). And for what it's worth, my truck sounds the same as yours when I start it in those temps.

 

At this point I had many conversations with my mechanic and he said we can try 0w-20 Toyota manufactures brand oil.
It's going to be an expensive exploration engine tear down to fix by the looks of things for sure.


Today January 30, 2024 39F
https://youtu.be/5yRJZGHKsdw?si=2JnUhdpHaOeW8VCM

 

Update to the status of the engine tapping. I had my mechanic change the oil with Toyota 0W-20 (oem filter) on February 1 ,2024 two weeks ago. And it sounds worse now on colder days. Many oil changes were done with Mobil1 0W-20.
I just found out that I have 10k miles left on my Platinum Toyota extended warranty I bought.
https://youtube.com/shorts/Fo61Y-zv7qg?si=Gs044sbWYsC5l_K-

 

Boy that’s good to have that peace of mind! I’m sure there’ll be some warrantee shenanigans, but I would imagine the engine itself is covered if it’s found to be the problem. Unfortunately that might mean they have to keep it a while until the mechanic can identify the sound.

On this video the tapping speed didn’t seem match along with engine rpm.
And now that you’re hearing the sounds at 39 degrees, it barely “qualifies” as a cold weather noise anymore.

I’m very curious what you find out, and wish you best of luck getting it resolved. Hopefully it’s something that ends up being easy to pin down and fix.

 

From info I get from The Car Care Nut online, it is VVTi noise:
Toyota VVTi System Explained. Why They Rattle and How to Prevent Problems.
Dealership not necessary used the best oil for vehicles. Dealership is a business to make money, like all business it's a goal.
Dealership in business create credits via selling cars and charge Toyota for warranty repairs and your "free" service.
If they break some (or all) cars in process - even better - more money.

 

Toyota dealership had my car for two days and only heard the noise for 5 seconds…..Don’t believe it!

https://youtu.be/Bx5QmPrICvY?si=9Zs2RQBKYER674Uo

 

Lol. That shouldn’t be that funny. My guess is that it’s dealers that do this more than other shops. Especially when it’s a warranty job. Or maybe if the shop doesn’t want to be any more busy. I’ve had an obvious suspension strut squeak on a new civic. Took it in to the dealer and they “lubed the exhaust”. My guess is they lubed the exhaust hangers on the other side of vehicle.

 

I wonder if the outcome would have been different if I would have done my oil changes with my local mechanic instead having the Toyota dealership do oil changes the first 60,000 miles of my 4Runner.

 

Have you noticed any other symptoms from your engine's performance other than the said noise? loss of power? Excessive oil consumption? black blue or white smoke? overheating?... If not, I'd say don't stress yourself over it. Your engine is fine and will most likely last you a long time. These engines are super reliable and very unlikely to break down on their own, unless you do something real bad to them.

If it makes you feel better, from now on take it to your local trusted mechanic rather than the dealership for maintenance.

 

Thanks for your encouragement mountainwanderer!
So far I haven’t notice anything unusual driving it. I only drove it around 150 miles since the taping noise started.
(Im afraid)
No oil consumption noticed so far between the regular oil changes since I have done them religiously between 3k - 5k. I alway’s check under the hood/underneath periodically and haven’t never noticed any leaks so far whatsoever.
However I did noticed many times since January 15, 2021 blue smoke when first starting the engine for like 8 seconds and have reported it to the service department. It’s definitely (documented) in there records @ 47,402 miles. Even then I was very concerned since they couldn’t replicate the blue exhaust smoke either and sent me on my way.
The normal (common) valve chatter on the 4.0 began with the Toyota oil they fill in their service department in the first 60,000 miles of ownership.

 

Hey, two things that can be making noises like that, injectors and valve followers. I say it is injectors.
Also, you can put in a heavier weight oil, 5w20/30 and see what happens to noise.
Here is a great place to analyze oil. https://www.blackstone-labs.com/
Another forum would have a ton of data on this engine and analysis, Bobstheoilguy. I have never seen an engine issue with this. Very easy on oil and very much overbuilt.