Just picked up a brand new 2011 Highlander with a 3.5L V6 engine. I noticed a knocking/tapping noise coming from the engine while running at idle and only after the engine has warmed up. It sounds like the noise is being generated by something of metal like a bad lifter. I have never owned a Toyota before so I don't know if this is normal or if it is a defect. I have read a TSB on earlier engines having similar ticking/tapping noise that required repair in the camshaft area. Wondering if anyone is experiencing the same issue and knows if this is normal with Toyota engines before I take it back to the dealer. Thanks in advance.
Take a look at the Cold Start Clatter and the Fuel Injection Clatter links in this forum's Common Problems and Solutions sticky to see if that is your issue.
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2008 Highlander Base 4WD
2002 Avalon XL
1987 Suzuki Samurai 4X4 - Treading where no Jeep can follow....
If you're new to toyota and not used to their V6 engine, you may just be hearing Toyota's normal tapping at idle of the V6. It's a very loud tapping on the Tacoma, but you do get used to it with time. I don't hear it anymore unless someone asks me to listen for it. Even then, I completely tune it out shortly afterward. I've heard the same tapping can be heard on the V6 across many of the models.
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Well guys .. i have owned 6 toyotas in the last 8 years and kinda have an idea whats normal or not.. i had an 08 highlander before this 11 and the motor didnt sound like this at idle.
Its a sharp random double tick and comes and goes ..tick/tick/tick/tick.pause/tick. etc.. it sound like a valve but i guess it could be a wrist pin out of spec.
It sounds just like this guys 2011 sienna that had to have a new short block due to a wrist pin gone bad.
It makes sense on the wrist pin, since its silent until warmed up and just does it at idle.. but it really sounds like crap.. guess dealer bound i go.. really disappointed in this.. it didnt show up until it had 400 miles or so..
Well guys .. i have owned 6 toyotas in the last 8 years and kinda have an idea whats normal or not.. i had an 08 highlander before this 11 and the motor didnt sound like this at idle.
Its a sharp random double tick and comes and goes ..tick/tick/tick/tick.pause/tick. etc.. it sound like a valve but i guess it could be a wrist pin out of spec.
It sounds just like this guys 2011 sienna that had to have a new short block due to a wrist pin gone bad.
It makes sense on the wrist pin, since its silent until warmed up and just does it at idle.. but it really sounds like crap.. guess dealer bound i go.. really disappointed in this.. it didnt show up until it had 400 miles or so..
that is really loud whatever is causing that. The same v6 is in the highlander/sienna so they should sound similar. My car has a slight ticking sound that comes from a vacuum valve near the air intake for the engine, but it isnt as loud, as pronounced, or as "metallic" sounding as that. Something is up with that engine.
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2008 Black Highlander Limited FWD
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I ended up taking the HL back to the dealer when it had 500 miles on it and the mechanic told me that the noise was normal. It now has 3800 miles on it and the noise is still there at idle when engine is at operating temperature. I'm thinking about getting an automotive stethoscope and see if I can pinpoint the origin of that tapping noise. That tapping noise you hear on the Sienna in the U Tube vid is very similar to mine but not as loud . Will let you know what I find. Later.
I have 2600 miles on mine and it's still the same as it was at 300 miles. Mine is coming from the passenger tire wheel well. Its clearly coming from the bottom end since i pop the hood and cant really hear it.
I read somewhere that toyota changed the 3.5 for 2011 to be a low interference engine.
Mine is very loud when you idle for a few minutes after a long drive... the wierd part is if i let it continue to idle for more than, say 3 or 4 mins the noise lessens..I doubt a wrist pin would lessen after idling... I wonder if its vvti related and this thin arse 0w20 motor oil..
Besides the both of us in this thread, can someone else who has a 2011 model year only with the 3.5, listen near the passenger wheel well at idle , after warm and see if you hear an irregular tap... I would greatly apprecate this. My dealer said its normal and i aint buying it.
Whatever it is, it's too high pitched to be very big or under much force. I'd venture valve train, VVT actuator or something else small and lower mass. Note that with the hood closed, top end noise would get reflected back down into the engine compartment where is certainly might come out wheel wells or reflect off the pavement and out.
There's a reason mechanics use stethoscopes to isolate noises. Visit Harbor Freight.
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'08 Highlander Base with goodies
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'01 Honda Civic
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Mine sounds exactly like this.. i cant believe for a sec this is normal... DavidHB.. does yours sound like this as well?
It sounds exactly like the sienna vid up in the thread and that guy got a new motor since they said it was a wrist pin.. but the noise does seems to light for a wrist pin.. im at a loss on what todo.
Make sure oil is topped off. And, try changing it to rule out bad filter or oil.
BTW, those 2011's sound better when compared to an '08.
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Preventive maintenance prevents mechanical problems. Ripe out your owners manual's maintenance schedule and start some common sense intervals for ALL fluids in your vehicle.
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2011 Highlander 3.5L V6 Engine Noise
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