I have valve noise or some funny rattle- 03 Highlander V6 30k miles

[SILVERROLLA]

From time to time I hear a rattle in my engine upon acceleration btwn 1-2k RPM's. I mostly have my windows down that why I can hear the rattle. Sounds like valves but not too loud to the point of engine damage. When I rev it past 2K RPM's it goes away??? I've heard this noise alot on 4-cyl Camrys too but much louder. Sound wierd. im thinking its the valves but I could be wrong. I only have 30k miles on the clock. I only hear this noise when I drive the car. When the car is idle and revved, there is NO noise or rattle that I hear when I drive. Wierd!

Secondly, when I first pull into gear and drive, I hear a "click" noise. The ABS makes a noise too but not a click. I only hear this "click when the ABS checks itself past 5mph.

[91mr2]

Clicking could be the fuel injectors and is considered annoying but normal. Happens on many Toyota/Lexus V6 engines.

ABS check you describe is normal.

[lqueral]

[quote=SILVERROLLA]From time to time I hear a rattle in my engine upon acceleration btwn 1-2k RPM's. I mostly have my windows down that why I can hear the rattle. Sounds like valves

You might be hearing "pinging" from using a low octane fuel. Try filling up with a tank of premium fuel and see if it goes away. My Highlander, an '05 with the 3.3 engine, has more than a 10.5:1 compression ratio (I forget the exact number). Even with this high a ratio, the manual says anything higher than 87 octane can be used. What this means is that they're relying on the engine management computer to prevent damage to the engine when you use a lower octane. This also means that you likely WON'T be making as much power when you use less than premium. If you look the the 2006 horsepower ratings, my 3.3 went from 230 horsepower to 215, because they changed how manufacturers must rate their engines. The new specs call for testing to be done with similar fules, I I figure my engine is close to 230 horse when I run premium, and 215 horse if I run 87 octane. Perhaps your computer is having a problem managing engine settings with the type of fuel you use. Try the premium. I also believe in adding a bottle of Techron (made by Chevron) fuel injection cleaner to the tank every 6 months to keep injectors clean.

[adogslife]

I have been trying to figure out my rattle type of noise as well. But mine happens for about 1 minute during a cold start. Then it goes away until the next day. It is loudest under the engine. Toyota has made 3 attempts to fix it, and their Field Specialist didn't know what it was as well. I feel it is an engine issue, something mechanical. Toyota tried a carbon cleaner on the engine twice and finally realized that carbon build-up was not the cause. Hopefully they can figure out what it is soon. After the first of the year I may proceed with my Lawyer to get a trade or my money back.

[highlanderowner]

Originally Posted by SILVERROLLA

From time to time I hear a rattle in my engine upon acceleration btwn 1-2k RPM's. I mostly have my windows down that why I can hear the rattle. Sounds like valves but not too loud to the point of engine damage. When I rev it past 2K RPM's it goes away??? I've heard this noise alot on 4-cyl Camrys too but much louder. Sound wierd. im thinking its the valves but I could be wrong. I only have 30k miles on the clock. I only hear this noise when I drive the car. When the car is idle and revved, there is NO noise or rattle that I hear when I drive. Wierd!

Secondly, when I first pull into gear and drive, I hear a "click" noise. The ABS makes a noise too but not a click. I only hear this "click when the ABS checks itself past 5mph.

hi there,

i just stumbled upon this web site in search of help for the same problem we have with our recently bought toyota higlander we only have 19K miles on it and its less than 6 months old and already we had to bring it several times to toyota but they were still unable to solve the problem any leads on what might be causing this? same senario, we hear a rattle on the dashboard side when we try to accelerate between 0-1 RPM then when its pass 2 RPM it goes away and we heare it mostly during stop and go and early in the morning esp. when its cold. really need some advice on this appreciate any info. thanks

[SILVERROLLA]

now 35k miles on my car. I dont hear the noise anymore. I have the 3.0 V6 which can take regular fuel but mid grade-premium is reccomended. My toyoyta tech told me to use regular gas in the winter and mid grade-premiun in the summer.