New owner, please educate me further…

Hello, recently purchased a 24 sr5 4x4 about 3 weeks ago, and I’ve been lurking here for a while, previously owned a 19 Frontier 4x4, and just want some general yes this is normal Toyota stuff. I’m better with the sounds of Nissans (VQ)

So I’ve test drive 4 runners before deciding on which one to get. Do they all have that slight engine “whine” when accelerating? Read about the timing sprocket. I’m familiar with the Nissans chain guide issues, and sound etc.

I guess and the other question would be, even though it’s a 5 speed, it does hunt a *little* especially when deciding to lock up toque converter around 38mph? My neighbor who also has one says he uses S4 in that case a lot.

And maybe I get the occasional very minuscule firm 1-2 shift. If I’m in the pedal more it’s smooth all the way through 5.

Other than that, I guess my biggest gripe is changing the oil lol. I’m use to the spin on filters instead of the cartridge, and removing the skid plate. It’s an easy concept, but I guess the plate was the hardest.

 

1) Yes, the whine happens to all of us (Well, almost).
2) Yes, the hunting is one of the many quirks & features of your SloRunner. Driving in S4 or getting a tune/re-gear can solve that for good.
3) They make a tool/accessory, I forget what it's called exactly...to get the skid plate cover off so you can remove the oil filter.

 

Thanks for the reply. I have the Motivx oil filter tool. I think I’ll continue using the plastic housing. OEM filter is best im guessing? or which is everyone’s preference? I always used Wix metal filters for my frontier.

For the plate, I guess it’s more of do you guys take the whole cover off? Or I’ve read some people unbolt the back and let it swing open?

I’ve looked into get an aftermarket skid plate for oil drain and oil filter access. I think that’s my next order. Other than that, I’ve changed the oil, front and rear diffs, and transfer case with all Toyota fluids. 0w-20 seems so foreign to me being used to 5w-30. I’ve read in the manual you can switch, but convert back to 0w-20 next OCI.

 

The whine is normal. You get a feel of a turbo without actually buying a turbo.

It will hunt for gears every time. It's an old school transmission geared towards mileage rather than outright acceleration.

The 4runner oil change is like the Texas heat. No matter how long you ve stayed in Texas, you still hate it and never get used to it. Similarly, no matter how long you own the 4runner, you will curse the oil change. There are ways around by getting an after market skid plate with an oil window. But it's never a joyous occasion.

 

Welcome Taylor

 

Welcome

 

Welcome from Wisconsin!

 

Oil change is just a learning issue and buying another "filter" wrench. It's a lot cleaner than the older Bronco's with the spin off oil filter, side mounted over the front axle .

 

Welcome to the family! Ditto on the whine. I have 2 Runners, a 21 Venture (mine) and a 22 Limited FT 4x4 (wife's). They both do it. I never give it a second thought. Definitely see Boracho Loco's suggestion above for the gear hunting for the re-tune if it really bugs you. I got used to it and knowing that I'm in a vehicle that will last a half million miles but has a few "quirks" is actually kinda refreshing. I can live with those as I just keep rolling up the miles without it breaking - gotta love that.

 

Yes, my 4runner has a whining noise.

 

Nobody likes a show off Charlie.

 

If you bought it new, give the transmission a bit to settle in and do its computer adaptive programming. The shifting might get a little more predictable.

 

Welcome!

“Approximately five hours after the engine is turned off, you may hear sound coming from under the vehicle for several minutes. This is the sound of a fuel evaporation leakage check, and it does not indicate a malfunction”

 

Re: The Whine.
I was not convinced the whine was a normal (despite all the seasoned well educated users on this forum saying so) , then I saw a Car Care Nut video where he was standing beside what he said was a happy 4runner engine with a little rev and the whine clearly present. To me it sounds cool when driving, less so when revving in park.
https://youtu.be/V02O8YGuc4U?t=429 7:09 to 7:30.

 

Yeah I’ve seen a fair bit of the car care nuts videos. Like I’ve said I was so used to my frontier with the 4.0, and the way it sounds, the exhaust note, startup sounds etc.

The 4Runner is completely opposite. There is almost no exhaust sound, although the VQ engines always had a distinct V6 sound. In the frontier world, the whine we considered it to be the timing chain tensioners wearing away, causing it. But that’s not the case with the 1GR-FE.

I would say the 5 speed in the frontier is a little more refined and ‘smoother’ but then again they are both 15 year old + drivetrains.

in the south Florida traffic especially during season, drivers are always doing 35-40 so in the 4Runner it’s always in and out of 4-5, so I just shift over to S4, similar in the frontier to take overdrive off.

all in all, I’ve put almost 2k miles on it so far, done all my fluids myself, and then at 30k perhaps a little overkill, I may drop the trans pan or just do a drain and fill. I do have a autel scanner to get the right temp when checking the check plug so it drips out, almost to drops then torque it back up.

other than that, can someone tell me if the 24 base sr5 4x4 has the vehicle maintenance menu in the infotainment? I’ve been searching under setup, vehicle, then it just says valet mode, dealer info, and vehicle customization. Doesn’t bring me to any oil change intervals, air filter, tire rotations etc. maybe base models don’t have that option to set. I’ve learned how to reset the maintenance required notification already.

 

^^ this explains my similar apprehension to yours perfectly, previously DD was an R51 Pathfinder. The early years VQ40DE had potential timing chain issues, the timing chain guides were suspect, and the audible whine noise was the trigger to stay away from the bad ones. Apparently in the 4runner it is a sign of all good.

I find the 5 speed in the 4runner to be smoother than Nissan's.

For reference 5th Gen Maintenance Maps + Torque Specs and Part Numbers! | Toyota 4Runner Forum [4Runners.com].

 

That engine whine could very well be either cavitation in the power steering pump or the idler pulley (the latter being a common issue according to a Toyota mechanic I spoke to recently.). My T4R has recently begun emitting this 'whine' sound that changes pitch with throttle. Loudest when the engine is dead cold, barely perceptible when fully warmed up. The tech told me its not something to worry about while I'm away on a trip but my truck's due for an oil change when I return so he'll look at it and replace bits as needed at that time.

 

Still waiting for someone to replace this pulley to see if that eliminates the whine. While not a problem, I still lament about the rev noise while in park. My local Japanese specific auto shop also said I was crazy to diagnose it any further. For the record I did all the aux belt idler pulleys soon after acquiring the 4runner, no change, lol. Mysteries unsolved are also good.

 

Great video as side note. I have one of those single car width but long driveways. I usually let them run when shifting cars but will be extra cautious now after seeing this video Thanks for posting

 

So I believe that is the timing sprocket? Don’t quote me if I’m wrong, but I did a dive into Google, went down the Reddit rabbit hole, and there is a thread about replacing it, and it eliminates the whine.
If I remember correctly, there was another poster that had the same work done, and the whine returned, forget what the mileage was.

anyway, if it’s an issue for me down the road. I did opt for the plat warranty :/ I’m a sucker lol.

merry Christmas everyone

 

Replacing that sprocket with what? The same one? Mine has had the whine since brand new off the dealer lot. I doubt it’s that particular sprocket.

It’s probably loudest when it’s cold because the engine is still at high idle. Sometimes it seems louder than other times. It’s probably due to a variety of mechanical reasons on this particular engine design/setup.

 

Former Xterra guy here, 4R whine sounds exactly like the plastic timing chain guide rub in the VQ. LOL

 

Here is the Reddit link; https://www.reddit.com/r/4Runner/s/ZSCryTU9Nj

but yeah it doesn’t bother me, unless it turns on a code. Happy owner!

 

Both of our brand new 4Runners sound exactly the same. They both sound like they have a wine. It’s normal. My trans did less hunting after it got used to my driving. It’s adaptive. It’s a heck of a lot better than the Tacoma, that thing hunted to the point cruise control was barely usable. So I always felt like the 4Runner trans was smooth.

I’ve also thought about getting a skid plate with oil filter access. But at the end of the day, it’s nice knowing rocks won’t kick up into the engine area when driving to my fav fishing spots.

 

The rougher 1-2 shift changes dramatically and it becomes one of the smoothest shifts after break in. For me that was around 5000 miles.

The whine is minimal for me, but there’s something.

The car has been absolutely fantastic. I drive it a lot. I’m at 43k trouble free miles.

 

Welcome. And the slid plate sucks and why they didn't make a factory plate with an access panel is beyond me.