Loud engine in my '99 Sienna [Video enclosed]

[LeArN2LiVe]

Hi, parents recently gave me their 1999 Toyota Sienna which they bought brand new as a graduation gift. I'm using it to transport ingredients for my restaurant and looking to tune up the entire thing.

My first problem is the engine seems very, very loud. The car is a clean title, oil had always been changed every 3500 miles. I do not know when the last time the timing belt was changed or the transmission fluid.

Here is a video of the engine and how loud it is:

You Tube

You Tube

Let me know if you guys think you can hear what the problem is

Thanks!

[wiswind]

It sounds like it is idling too fast.
2 things are likely causes of that sound.....fuel injector and valvetrain.
I cannot determine between the 2 even on my own vehicle much less on a video.

There is a procedure to check and adjust the valve "lash" which involves the use of spacers to adjust the valve lash.
The process is documented in the factory service manual, which you can access with a subscription to alldatadiy.
It is not something that I would be comfortable with doing on my own.

The specified timing belt change interval is every 90K miles.
It is not a easy job on this vehicle for the DIY'er, but it is do-able.

To find out service records for any service performed at any TOYOTA dealership, you can register your vehicle for FREE at www.toyota.com
This will also give you access to the owner's manual, if you don't have one.

Hear is a link to a album of pictures of things that I have done with my 2003 Sienna.
Your '99 uses a different number spark plug, and I HIGHLY recommend that you use the plug that is listed on the emissions label under the hood and/or listed in the owners manual for YOUR year Sienna.
Changing the rear spark plugs.....I needed to remove the upper intake manifold and also removed the cowl (black trim panel between the windshield and the hood) to gain access.

[wiswind]

OK, I forgot to put the link to my pictures.
http://rides.webshots.com/album/5765...navtype=search

I passed over this thought because you mention 3500 mile oil changes.
The 98-2002 Sienna is in the "gell" issue years.
A oil change interval that you mention "should not" have an issue, but it is possible.
Causes of oil sludge are long oil change interval, mileage or time, and another thing that really should be checked is the PCV valve.
A clogged PCV valve will cause problems in short order.
The PCV valve is in the rear valve cover, toward the passenger side end.
When you remove the oil fill cap, you will see a baffel, so you cannot see the valvetrain.
The baffel is coated with a rough black substance that looks like baked on sludge, but it was there from the factory as some sort of sound deadener.
To determine if you have sludge, you would need to remove a valve cover.
A synthetic oil is also benneficial in this motor.
A lubrication issue is a possiblility for the sound.....It was not my first thought because of the frequent oil change interval you mention, however folks have claimed to change their oil that frequently and still have the issue.
It is estimated that only a small percentage of all these motors (and there are a LOT of these motors out there in many different TOYOTA and LEXUS vehicles).

[LeArN2LiVe]

Weird but the transmission took a dump on me today while I was driving. The revs would go up but the car wouldn't move.

Any idea where to get a new transmission at a good price? I'm planning to get a mobile mechanic off craigslist to put it in.

[wiswind]

"New" is going to be very expensive.
You could get a used transmission from a junk yard, which is "as is", but usualy come with a waranty, so if you get a dud you can exchange it for a good one...(labor might be an issue).
You could get a "rebuilt" transmission, which often is a old transmission that has had SOME parts replaced, often only the bare minium.......or may include some normal wear items.
You could also get a "Remanufactured" transmission, in which, if done correctly, many items have been replaced, and any updates / modifications have been performed...more expensive than a rebuild, but with a longer waranty because the confidence level in the product is higher.

For my last vehicle.....a '96 Ford Windstar, I would not recommend a junk yard transmission because that transmission was failure prone......and when I needed one, since I was planning to keep the vehilce, I went the Remanufactured route through FORD and got a number of updates in that process that gave me a more reliable unit.

For the Sienna, this transmission is not a high failure item....in other words, the design is fairly reliable with MANY units out there.
So, from a cost standpoint, I would rather go the Junk yard route.

HOWEVER, my question is, why is this vehicle having a loud tapping motor (is it still doing that?) AND a failed transmission.
It makes me wonder what has gone on in this vehicles past.
I would recommend that you have a good mechanic check out the motor....because if it has serious problems, you might be further ahead to just get a engine/transmission assembly together from a junk yard.
I would want to remove the valve covers and check it out for any signs of sludge (or "gell".
Of course, junk yard route, I would want new transmission fluid and new motor oil, coolant, spark plugs and thermostat.