11 Sienna 4-Cly engine tapping noise

[jm98]

Just back from 3600 miles Key West FL/MS/TN/TX trip. I am now hearing a light tapping noise when accelerating and when engine starts up in cold morning. Once engine is warm and on idle not hearing tapping. Sienna has only 4500 miles on it. I am due 5000 miles service soon.

[akphs]

Dunno if it's normal for that mill, but them's tappets. Oil isn't low, right?

[jm98]

I checked oil and it seems to be at normal level (bit above 2nd dot on oil stick). Should I try adding a little? I will be driving for next three weeks or so before it hits 5000 miles for service.

Oil color looks like dark orange/brown.

[z27ls3]

I would'nt add oil. the color you describe sounds like 0w20. the 5w20 is light yellow almost clear compared to the 0w20 which is distinctly darker, orange color. unfortunately the 4 cyl sienna is a rare bird and I hav'nt seen anything on this model. I would get it in asap, arrange for a nite drop off and make them give you a loaner (not rental). also make sure you get a invoice proving it was brought in (every time on anything) so you can start the paper trail.

you may be due for the "5K" service soon but not all 5K services include oil change, infact most 0w20 engines are doing oil @ 10K intervals. there is the 4 cyl tacoma exception and maybe yours, I cant remember as this is a low production engine in this model, not a bad thing.

I would almost want to do a LOF every 5k even if mfr says 10k is the schedule.

bottom line is it needs to be addressed by dealer, it needs to be taken seriously and fixed.

[jm98]

I took Sienna to dealer but could not hear tapping sound. Per dealer service guy the morning tapping noise is common on Toyotas until fluid valve levels out. He offered me to keep van for overnight to duplicate the noise. However he did not have a loaner available at the time and he indicated that he could not loan a car until an issue is confirmed. I did not want to leave car overnight without loaner.

I got car wash since car still had dead bugs on front from long trip. I will have to figure a way to duplicate this may be driving on interstate for 10 minutes and see if I can produce the tapping noise.

[z27ls3]

well the service advisor is'nt completely wrong. the tapping noises are common. but, all mechanical issues are repairable. sounds like bad advice. first of all if the service rep did'nt hear the noise how can he reassure you its alright? he cant. here's the first thing toyota will tell the dealer in a case such as this.
1 - cold start a like vehicle on the lot, same engine and all. (new is best)
2 - does the noise occur on the "like vehicle"?
3 - now 2 possibilities exist, normal noise or repairable condition duplicated.

at this point I would advise to leave the car late one night, somewhere out of the way on the dealer front lot area. come in next morning when they open and do a short cold start video clip with the service manager present. show him directly (not the service rep that thinks its ok).
I can tell you I have seen many 3.5L v6 Toyota engines with excessive mechanical noise, from VVT-i and other components, that the manufacturer did not want to address unless pressed hard by the customer. your engine however I have never heard anything on, I would ask to cold start another identical model when you go back.

in the recent past I saw a 10 or 11 corolla with a bottom end spun bearing and knocking noises, before first scheduled service, the rotate. stuff happens, keep an eye on it!