Engine chatter with video - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

thestar2010 · 06-23-2010, 08:27 PM

G'day all, I've searched this forum and found answers for all of my Toyota problems, but this one I can't seem to figure out.

Bought the car at 55000 kms and now it has 96000. It's always made this sound. The tensioner was replaced but the noise is still there. The mechanic suggested it may be the timing chain while loose at idle. At higher idle, it gets tighter, no more sound and not to worry. It's annoying and sometimes embarassing. Fairly loud and noticeable around the car.

Here's the youtube video. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

You Tube

Cheers!

mikered30 · 06-23-2010, 09:20 PM

What tensioner did you replace it with, Toyota, after market? I assume it was new. There was a TSB put out for a revised tensioner, it is possible that when the new one was installed, it was old stock and not the revised tensioner. Can you carefully use a pipe or rod to isolate the noise, kinda like a stethoscope. You will have to remove the plastic engine cover and listen on the left side of the engine on the valve cover. Is the sound worse in the winter vs summer? What motor oil and weight do you use?

thestar2010 · 06-23-2010, 10:39 PM

The tensioner was replaced with an aftermarket one about 4 months ago. I can't remember the brand but it was new. I can't seem to isolate the noise. Tried the pipe thing and took the engine cover off. The sound is coming from the left side of the engine closer to the firewall. Hard to reach down below in that area. The belt has been squealing every cold start for the last 6 months and has been getting worse. I'll be getting that replaced but was hoping to get this chatter dealt with at the same time. When I bought the car, the noise was more in the winter. Now, it's all year. Oil is Mobil synthetic 5w30.

bigdogbitu · 06-24-2010, 06:30 AM

My old 1989 300E Mercedes made a similar sound especially in gear. In that car, it turned out to be the shock absorber/belt tensioner bracket needed an extra washer or two on the upper connection to the engine. The whole bracket was rattling and drove me crazy. You could not tell be looking at it that it was the source of the noise.

dorman68 · 06-24-2010, 08:05 AM

Could possibly be a water pump, alternator or power steering pump. I would try running the car without a belt (Just for about 20 seconds-you don't want to damage your engine) and see if the sound goes away. If the sound goes away then its probably one of the things I mentioned above, if the sound is still there then the issue is most likely with one of the timing components (chain,tensioner,or guides).

JohnLX300 · 06-25-2010, 03:21 AM

I had this happen to my friends 2004 Corolla. The old aftermarket was defective in that it was based off of the initial design from toyota. So I went and bought the toyota revised tensioner......now all is good.

thestar2010 · 07-05-2010, 01:21 AM

Fixed! It was the aftermarket tensioner. Most likely based off the old design, as you guys mentioned. Thanks for the help, probably wouldn't have figured it out on my own.