engine rattling noise?

[laz_10]

my engine has been making a metal rattling noise, has anybody else?. does ne one have an idea of what it might be?. ive taken it to the dealership to check on it 3 times. when they finish they bring it out and their like "we didnt hear any noise". and i swear they did something to it cuz u dont hear it (for like a day), and im outside with the mechanic trying to explain that there was a noise and he looking at me like if i was crazy, maybe there not telling me something. maybe their waiting for the warranty to expire then tell me what the problem is and i get stuck with the bill.

[Griffin]

Could be belt tensioner or heat shield. under EXACTLY what conditions (speed, rpm, throttle position, etc) doe it make teh noise?

Griffin

[laz_10]

every time the engine is on, at a stop, warming up, driving it, always makes that noise. i dont have a heat shield. kinda sounds like kicking a soda can, but it has a fast rythm to it . teh?

[SiNisTeR 892]

Hey my engine rattles like i have a stone in it around 3-4 grand rpm... for me it was one of my lifters/rockerarms they got kicked outta place so it wont open up one of ur valves it just rattles....so take a look at that

[SiNisTeR 892]

it happened to one of my friends who has a gsr too exact same noise as me and it was same problem. I guess for DOHC engines that is common for the lifter/rockerarm to come outta place

[laz_10]

thanx people for ur help

[Griffin]

Originally posted by laz_10
every time the engine is on, at a stop, warming up, driving it, always makes that noise. i dont have a heat shield. kinda sounds like kicking a soda can, but it has a fast rythm to it . teh?

Teh = my typo for the. I never learned to touch type and something about the fast hunt and peck I've developed over the years makes me typo on the all the time.

Anyways yes, you do have heatshields - they come on your exhaust from the factory, are generally made of thin stamped metal, and can vibrate against eachother or the body sometimes. Does the noise change much when you vary the speed of teh engine?

Griffin

[laz_10]

no, same rythm to it through out all speeds and gears. but it sounds like its rotating near the engine

[Griffin]

Hmmmm.. some possibilities are:

Radiator Fan
Exhaust heat shield on exhaust manifold / cat
Loose bolt / washer / etc on engine
VSV being duty cycled

Thts pretty much it.... I'd get a pair of heavy VERY heat resistant work gloves and try messing with the exhaust heat shield and see if you can get it to stop or change. also look around for loose metal things. Given what you decribed this is NOT an internal engine component or drivetrain component. They all would be affected by changes in RPM, shifting, load, etc,

Griffin

[laz_10]

thanx

[Phaseshift]

Here's my two cents:

Rattling noise during idle is mostly likely the tensioner. How sure am I? During my 36,000 mile warranty, I got it checked and replaced by the dealership TWO times. The first time, I was unsure. The rattling noise gradually sneaked up, or got lounder over time. Luckly, my uncle was a mechanic. He did a little inspection and stated that it was most likely the tensioner. You can hear where it's coming from in the engine bay. So I took it to the dealership. At first, they said they couldn't hear it. When I left the dealership, it was gone, but the next day, it came back! I think they put a little lubrication on the belts. So I took it back, and stated them what my uncle said and what I could hear. Next thing, they said they can now hear it, and they're going to change the tensioner. 10,000 miles later, guess what? It came back. And I got it replaced again. The dealership knew I was pretty unhappy cuz I rambled questions and comments to them while they replaced the tensioner. According to them, it's a common problem with models made in 2000 and 2001.

As for the random rattling noise at 3000 rpms. It's normal. It's the way the toyota engines sound. I don't know the exact technicalities, but I do know it's very common, even with older model engines.

[krazyone]

does it sound anything like this (http://home.socal.rr.com/jdresume/engine.mpg)

[Griffin]

Originally posted by Phaseshift
Here's my two cents:

Rattling noise during idle is mostly likely the tensioner. How sure am I? During my 36,000 mile warranty, I got it checked and replaced by the dealership TWO times. The first time, I was unsure. The rattling noise gradually sneaked up, or got lounder over time. Luckly, my uncle was a mechanic. He did a little inspection and stated that it was most likely the tensioner. You can hear where it's coming from in the engine bay. So I took it to the dealership. At first, they said they couldn't hear it. When I left the dealership, it was gone, but the next day, it came back! I think they put a little lubrication on the belts. So I took it back, and stated them what my uncle said and what I could hear. Next thing, they said they can now hear it, and they're going to change the tensioner. 10,000 miles later, guess what? It came back. And I got it replaced again. The dealership knew I was pretty unhappy cuz I rambled questions and comments to them while they replaced the tensioner. According to them, it's a common problem with models made in 2000 and 2001.

As for the random rattling noise at 3000 rpms. It's normal. It's the way the toyota engines sound. I don't know the exact technicalities, but I do know it's very common, even with older model engines.

One problem with your statement. I'm pretty sure the belt tensioner rattle varies in frequency with engine speed. This condition doesn't acorrding to Laz_10. If you have a rattle that is unrelated to the rotational speed of the engine OR vehicle speed, and does not respond to any inputs such as throttle, brakes, shifting, or clutch application, then the rattle is being generated by an engine mounted component that is unsecure, or it is being generated by another moving / vibrating component whose operation is controlled independently of engine speed / rotation. Now there is the possbility that the check ball in the tensioner may have be at fault so if LAZ_10 wants to confirm that it is or is not the tensioner, he need only remove the belt and turn the engine on for a short time to determine if the rattle is gone or not.

Griffin

[Phaseshift]

Put it this way, if it's the tensioner, it should sound like a loose pebble bouncing around in the engine bay during idle. The sound disappears when you're past 1000 RPMs. How do I know for sure? I've experienced it twice, got my tensioner replaced twice, and the sound has disappeared twice. It had nothing to do with the internals of the engine.

[laz_10]

krazyone it wouldnt play

[Mirwolf]

I think i have the same problem as well. as i gas it i hear a rattle coming from the engine, above 1k its gone. and it usually happens when the engine is cold. Is the belt tensioner on the left side of the engine? (opposite of the intake)

[Griffin]

Originally posted by Mirwolf
I think i have the same problem as well. as i gas it i hear a rattle coming from the engine, above 1k its gone. and it usually happens when the engine is cold. Is the belt tensioner on the left side of the engine? (opposite of the intake)

Yup sounds like belt tensioner - its on the passenger side of teh engine.

[Mirwolf]

Thanks alot. im going to go see the dealer later this week. Also on a side note. do you konw if the battery is covered under warranty? thanks.

[Griffin]

Originally posted by Mirwolf
Thanks alot. im going to go see the dealer later this week. Also on a side note. do you konw if the battery is covered under warranty? thanks.

I'm not 100% certain on this but I think its only 100% for a certain period of time, after that its a pro-ration if memory serves


Griffin

[laz_10]

yes it is, well for me it was. i just got it replaced because it died just 3 years into the car.

[actollinger]

I had my belt tensioner replaced twice already because my engine was making a chirping noise and the serpentine belt kept wearing out. Anyways, right before I got my belt tensioner replaced last time, I noticed a sound similiar to what you've described that hasn't gone away even after the belt tensioner was replaced. The sound you described is as follows:

Put it this way, if it's the tensioner, it should sound like a loose pebble bouncing around in the engine bay during idle. The sound disappears when you're past 1000 RPMs. How do I know for sure? I've experienced it twice, got my tensioner replaced twice, and the sound has disappeared twice. It had nothing to do with the internals of the engine.

I checked the belt tensioner, and they did replace it as well as the belt. What could this noise be? I would think that I would be able to hear the sound that you describe if I open up the hood of my car, but I can't. Does that mean that it isn't the belt tensioner? Also, the noise I hear goes away after about 2000 rpms. Thanks

Andy

[Matty P]

I noticed in the owners manual that the battery will be replaced under warranty for the first year.

Given that new batteries usually only come with a 2 year warranty, you've done well to get it replaced after 3 years!