Whining Noise when accelerating

Hey all!

I recently purchased a 2001 SR5 4Runner. I was told the belt and water pump were replaced about 40k miles ago. When I accelerate, I hear soft whining noise. It's not loud but I'm fairly certain it shouldn't be making this noise haha. The transmission shifts fine and the fluid was changed about 10k miles ago. Only thing I can think of is the water pump? Any other ideas?

Thanks!

 

Could be a ton of things. Wheel bearings, u-joints, transmission, but not usually the water pump.

When you accelerate, does the sound change with the speed? When the car shifts and the RPMS change, does the sound change?

If it was the transmission\driveshaft\ujoints or even water pump, the sound would change with the RPMs.

If it is a sound that gets louder the faster you go, no matter what gear your transmission is, it's got to be in the wheels\brakes\wheel bearings\rear diff.

 

there is a "whine" that happens with all of oir Runners as they get older. I confirmed this at two dealers on separate diagnostics visits.

To be sure, since your runner is not that old, take it to the dealer for a diagnostic if needed.

 

Surprisingly the dealer near me has a free diagnostic check - so I'll just take it in there. Thanks!

 

You don't happen to have a supercharger installed and not know it, do ya?

 

I took it into the dealership - they looked at it and said the noise was normal for the age of the vehicle...now they also looked at other things I didn't ask them to and said I had to replace the front sway bar links - these were just done but have grease leaking out of them and he said they have to be redone. Also told me my transfer case front and rear seals were leaking - they look a little "moist" but nothing ever under the truck. The rear seal on transfer case was done about 20k miles ago...so I'm not sure how it could be leaking again, unless the job wasn't done right. So, time for a second opinion. I did figure out how to grease the drive shaft myself though..with some help from a write up on here! So, that's a win! The amount of build-up and junk on the zerks was pretty substantial so I'm guessing it had been a while since it was done last - but I think I got all 8 of them...at least 7 for sure ha

 

Front sway bar links do very little. I highly doubt they need fixing.

The best way for us to give you good advice is if you take pictures and post them here.

I'm thinking this shop may be just saying everything leaks so they can charge you for some easy unneeded work.

 

Ok, I’ll do that when I get home. Thanks!

 

A shop tried to tell me my front diff seals were leaking. Started writing up a ticket and everything. It was the valve cover gaskets leaking down.

 

Ok so here are transfer case seal areas (I believe) that they said were leaking and the sway bar ends they said were bad. Let me know what y’all think!

 

So those end links are indeed new. But they are not TOYOTA and probably why they are leaking. May also be because they were over filled.
I would yank on the end-links and if they feel tight, I wouldn't worry about them. I would wipe them dry and watch them.

Transfer case appears to be weeping but like was mentioned, leaking valve covers can make it look that way. Again, I would wipe it dry and watch it and top the fluid off.

I see nothing that needs immediate replacement.

 

My 87 4Runner, when I still had it, used to have a whining noise. Then I realized, after several observations, that it only did it when my ex was in it. I thought it was odd that the same whining noise followed wherever she went. In the house, outside, at a store, you name it.
Once I cease letting her ride with me, the whining stopped. Amazing repair, I thought...
Pat☺

 

on the 'ex'...been there..done that as well..yeah, amazing repair...lol