1. Welcome to 4Runners.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all 4Runner discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other 4Runner owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Help me diagnose a knock

Discussion in '4th Gen 4Runners (2003-2009)' started by JSSRVLZ, Mar 31, 2021.

  1. Mar 31, 2021 at 12:24 PM
    #1
    JSSRVLZ

    JSSRVLZ [OP] -Red Hot-

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2021
    Member:
    #20658
    Messages:
    47
    Gender:
    Male
    Knoxville Tn
    Vehicle:
    04 4 runner 4.0 sr5 4wd
    This may be completely normal for this machine, but it seems a little much at times, when someone im riding with asks me about it. Here is a video, it seems to be coming from a little lower, not quite at the lifters. Any input can help thanks 169000 miles

    https://youtu.be/zFyId8WqX60
     
  2. Mar 31, 2021 at 12:37 PM
    #2
    NOLARunner

    NOLARunner New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2021
    Member:
    #20356
    Messages:
    1
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jim
    Vehicle:
    2019 TRD OR
    Hard to tell but it sounds like the fuel injectors or maybe an exhaust leak from the header.
     
  3. Apr 1, 2021 at 1:39 PM
    #3
    r32

    r32 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2018
    Member:
    #8099
    Messages:
    692
    I have nearly same mileage and same problem. Also have not figured out what it is.
     
  4. Apr 11, 2021 at 7:23 PM
    #4
    JSSRVLZ

    JSSRVLZ [OP] -Red Hot-

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2021
    Member:
    #20658
    Messages:
    47
    Gender:
    Male
    Knoxville Tn
    Vehicle:
    04 4 runner 4.0 sr5 4wd
    Here is a better hear at what im hearing every time I hit the throttle. Fresh oil. I just installed a flowmaster 40 hoping that coukd help it not sound so strange. I havent changed tranny or diff fluids yet. The audio does not represent the sound very well.
    https://youtu.be/bJK1lSMMsCs
     
  5. Apr 13, 2021 at 9:31 PM
    #5
    JSSRVLZ

    JSSRVLZ [OP] -Red Hot-

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2021
    Member:
    #20658
    Messages:
    47
    Gender:
    Male
    Knoxville Tn
    Vehicle:
    04 4 runner 4.0 sr5 4wd
    I suppose this is a far to common problem, and the audio isnt enough. even if I did take the time to clip a video and post it. thanks anyways yall
     
  6. May 25, 2021 at 9:08 AM
    #6
    captsolo

    captsolo New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2019
    Member:
    #10131
    Messages:
    365
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tom
    nassau bahamas
    Vehicle:
    2005 SR5
    JSSRVLZ from the video....
    I can see nothing wrong in this 2004 4runner with 166000 miles. Drive it until it hits 250,000 miles and then post.

    I listened to it run again and it sounds normal. Mine sounds the same. Starts the same too.

    Maybe you have a small exhaust leak?

    You said you never changed the tranny fluid. What type do you use? T-IV? WS?

    Didn't yours come from Japan with the T-IV?

    WS is not backward compatible. I had the dealer service my tranny at 105,000 miles. They did a D/F with T I-V of 6 quarts, according to their invoice. 4runner trannies hold 12 quarts.

    2005 4runner with 160,000 miles. OEM Water Pump, radiator, alternator and exhaust system.

    Tranny and Engine V6 OEM. All the miles on my 4runner were short distance miles as there are no superhighways in Nassau Bahamas. The entire island is 21 miles long and 7 miles wide.
     
    Last edited: Jun 2, 2021
  7. May 25, 2021 at 10:02 AM
    #7
    Toy Yoda

    Toy Yoda New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2021
    Member:
    #18859
    Messages:
    97
    Gender:
    Male
    I didn't hear anything out of the ordinary, most these v6 engines do make a slight "rattle" sound that was barely noticeable in the first vid, make sure the oil is full & the right weight & it should be fine. Although these 4runners dont have an oil psi gauge, they do have a dummy light that will light up if the oil psi is low so that would be a worst case scenario if it was an oil related engine knock. But if it gets worse or you are still concerned, by all means take it to a reputable mechanic for further diagnosis... driving another 100k miles & reporting back is not the best approach if there is a major noise you are hearing but we can't hear on the video.

    If its engine related & noticeable in park at an idle, the transmission or fluid being changed or not is most likely unrelated to the engine noise.

    Being it's a 2004, it uses T-IV fluid if it has a 4 speed trans, 5 speeds dont use T-IV. If it is a 5 speed trans like in 2005 & up it uses WS when new "from japan". This is clearly noted in the owners manual on page 392 & 393 of 2004 models & on page 414 of 2005 manuals.

    https://www.toyota.com/owners/resources/warranty-owners-manuals/4runner/2004
     
  8. May 26, 2021 at 11:43 AM
    #8
    JSSRVLZ

    JSSRVLZ [OP] -Red Hot-

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2021
    Member:
    #20658
    Messages:
    47
    Gender:
    Male
    Knoxville Tn
    Vehicle:
    04 4 runner 4.0 sr5 4wd
    It is T-IV, ive not done the drain and fill yet. Ive tried to find other videos of people flooring it from a stop on a hill, to see if its the same sound. Not much luck there.

    The other day, i did hold the brakes down and apply the throttle while in drive with the brakes holding me back. And it still made the sound.

    Or if in park and idle, i dont hear much other than a possible slight lifter/injector kinda sound. But if I rev it quick in park I can hear it. Like a putt putt putt putt putt. Like an exhaust manifold. Once the rpms go up a bit, it fades some. It has to be under load to hear for the most part.

    Ill eventually just take it to someone and hopefully they can respect me enough to give me more information than the internet has.

    The exhaust shop said they dont hear anything. So I got a flowmaster 40 to cover it up. Now I have two loud sounds going up hills. They recommended I should try heavier weight oil. I dont think thats it.

    It does run great and will go anywhere!
     
  9. May 27, 2021 at 3:27 AM
    #9
    captsolo

    captsolo New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2019
    Member:
    #10131
    Messages:
    365
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tom
    nassau bahamas
    Vehicle:
    2005 SR5
    A good mechanic could find out where the noise is.

    Have you asked a Toyota dealer?

    As long as you can drive it, drive it.

    How does it drive down the highway?

    What sounds at 70mph? Does it do 70/80 mph?

    169,000 miles is a lot of miles. Congratulations

    I have 160,000 miles on my 2005.
    Runs and starts like when it was brand new.

    The coolant canister level checked twice a week, and it's always about the same level.

    One overheat and you can kiss an engine goodbye IMO.
    It will never run the same.
     
    Last edited: Jun 2, 2021
  10. May 27, 2021 at 8:46 AM
    #10
    Toy Yoda

    Toy Yoda New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2021
    Member:
    #18859
    Messages:
    97
    Gender:
    Male
    ... if there is a true "knocking" noise, DO NOT continue to just "drive it" or go to 250k miles & then post back, horrible advice for a possible engine knock. Have it looked at further to determine what the actual cause/source of the noise is.

    Based on your descriptions & it being a "tap tap" type of noise it could still be exhaust leak related, but if an exhaust shop said they dont hear it, it either didnt show up under their testing or its not a major noise related to engine knocking. Keep checking, maybe get a friend to duplicate the revving in park scenario where you hear it & crawl under it to listen where its coming from, if its not obvious, buy a cheap stethoscope or use a short piece of garden hose to act as one & touch it to places like the oil pan or side of block etc.

    Best of luck.
     
    importman, JSSRVLZ[OP] and leonp24 like this.
  11. Jun 7, 2021 at 7:09 AM
    #11
    Toy Yoda

    Toy Yoda New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2021
    Member:
    #18859
    Messages:
    97
    Gender:
    Male
    @JSSRVLZ Any updates on this noise?
     
  12. Jun 10, 2021 at 4:42 AM
    #12
    importman

    importman The mountains are calling and I must go...

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2020
    Member:
    #16870
    Messages:
    252
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Danny
    Carolinas
    Vehicle:
    05 Silver SR5 V6 4X4
    Blacked out, Ironman 3" Nitro Gas Suspension lift, JBA High Caster upper control arms, Differential drop and sway bar relocate, Upgraded to Sport Front Cardone Calipers with Brembo Rotors and Akebono Pads, Added Spoiler, Sony XAV-AX100 with Apple Carplay, USB Jack, Backup Camera, Black TRD Pro Wheels with General Grabber ATX 265/70/17, Rear differential vent extension, Auto Dimming Mirror with Compass and Homelink, Map Light Mod, Tekonsha 90160 Trailer Brake Controller, Recoil SL1708 Sub, Sealight LED Headlamps, K&N drop in air filter, Weathertech floor mats, Homemade rear storage compartment with built in pull out table.
    I don't know if the OP is coming back, and I couldn't hear anything in the videos but... if it does is when you first hit the throttle I'd suspect either piston slap or spark knock. If it's doing it under load I'd still look for spark knock.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top