Thank you very much to taking the time to write.
I am not going to play Toyota's corporate games and spend anymore time on the rattle repair run arounds. I have dealt ith Mitsubishi before and know how things work in unethical corporations, however I will take it to another dealer without any warning, just on the walk in basis to see what they say and to get another receipt for my attorney, I am scheduled next Tuesday.

I do not know what Toyota tech did to my truck while it was in the shop for 3 days, maybe they licked exhaust to get buzzed, maybe they played cards in the truck, god knows. I know that my friend listened to the left bank valve cover with the stethoscope and told me that there is no doubt that it comes from the valves of the middle and rear cylinder. He also mentioned that shims and plated on top of them spin on and off and if shim, or plate is not even it would cause tapping to come and go. Also, when my engine rattles more it shakes slightly, proving that this rattle does have to do with the valve clearances. BTW, when valves are not properly adjusted it leads to excesive fuel consumption and possible premature camshaft wear, not to mention lack of power and rough transmission shifting.......

All of this made a lot more sense to me that replacing my accessory belt and pulleys for no reason and than giving me "this rattle is normal" BS.

 

Mish, I find that with my vehicle, 03 sport with 500 miles, it is reasonably quiet idling, there is injector clicking but this stays at a constant volume/intensity even under load. It is only under load(acceleration) that I hear this load clacking. I was wondering if your vehicle is/was this way or if it always sounds like an exhaust leak?
Thanks, gman

 

Exhaust rattling under load is normal and even though I heard that there might be another manifold release for that it does not bother me at all. I am talking about veru distinct valve tapping on the left at idle+ engine speeds.

 

I'm sure this is what I have as well, it just doesn't get loud until I step on the gas. Perhaps it will increase in volume over time. If you don't mind, what do' you mean by Exhaust rattle being normal? I have made a hobby out of solving exhaust rattles on cars for the 21 years I've been driving. I don't expect a new car to start off with one, please elaborate.

 

4.0L V6 engines have rather loud exhaust noise when car is acelerating, it sound like exhaust manifold leak. I am sure you have heard it before, if not pull one of the air pump pipes off 305 chevy and you will get exact same kind of sound.
Toyota knows about those thin manifolds ant I heard of them designing heavier ones to make motor run queter. This is not an issue, I heard that while test driving my truck, but tapping valves on the left at idle is what annoys me the most (it is kinda like onld Mazda MPV with bad hydraulics on some valves).

 

OK, thanks for the clarification, maybe thicker wall manifolds will help this and solve my problem. I don't know if you are aware of Lexus replacing exhaust manifolds on the RX330 or not? There is an apparent noise related issue with their V6, probably not help your problem but though it was interesting that's all.

 

Let's not make mistake here, Lexus is tageted for wealthy audience, competing with BMW and MB, therefore Toyota is forced to be more loving and caring with those folks, 4Runner is a poor man's Lexus, therefore we do not get recalls unless few people get into some serious accident Get ready to wear some ear plugs, or keep your windows rolled up Loud music also helps, unless your stock CD player keeps going out like mine.

 

Mish,
Well I started up this morning and listened for a rattle but nothing there. I stuck my ear up at the front tires both sides and it was just engine. No clicking.
I drove with the radio off and windows open to listen. Really the exhaust doesn't even bother me as I can only REALLY hear it if it bounces back off a building or something.
Otherwise no clicking while driving at any time. It's just smooth and quiet. Maybe I heard the injectors or I'm being super anal. Anyway, I didn't hear it. I'll open the hood later and take a listen but I think I'm in the clear.

 

FirstToy
Your engine ticks the same as my V8 and almost every other engine I've ever heard, at 1st I thought it was not right but since they all do it then you can't argue that (fuel injectors) and also try not to look or listen to hard for things cause you will find stuff

Mish
Do what you gotta do but don't get an ML350 if it comes down to it built in the US plus they have lots of little problems and your truck is a better all around value even with the noise, go with the MDX and not for nothin but the whole Lexus is one step above Toyota is pissing me off, Im missing auto up and down windows on all my windows along with my freakin memory seats, my truck had a sticker of 43k but Toy/Lex has executives that are retards, do they really think some guy is gonna spend an extra 15k on a GX for those 2 options

Another thing if I was incharge of these companies I would treat my Corolla customes just as good or better than my Lexus customers, the aka poor or average folk are the bread and butter profit for these companies, I love expensive cars just as much as anyone but the prestige brands all seems to act like their shizz don't stink and the funny thing is the majority of the people driving luxury cars can walk around with their Im better than you but they can't even change a flat, I could go on and on but those better than us folk can think who they are and continue to pay 100 bucks for an oil change.

Not to get off topic but talkin about high end cars, did you know BMW does not give you floor mats. WTFFFFFFFFFFFF

Id also like to know if the 3.3L Lexus V6 shares anything with the 4.0L Toy V6 they are essentially both brand new engines that came out at around the same time and like gman24 said about Lexus replacing exhaust manifolds on the RX, probably cause the owners where like what the hell is that sound:pat:

I've never bought a vehicle with a brand new engine and never intend to

 

You just intend to buy trucks with brand new transmissions

 

DOH:pat:

Im unsure but wasn't it in the LX470 and Landcruiser in 2002

 

backpedal baby, backpedal!!

 

Speaking of transmissions, did you guys notice how 4 speed shifts with the nice and hearty jerk from first to second if not enough gas is provided? sometines it thinks too long and gets stuck in between the gears all revved up for another 300 RPM, but not up, or down shifted, that poor thing.. It is rather refreshing and ass shaking experience after Mercedes, it kind makes me remember that I am in the truck.
Another thing that kills me, our headliners. Those are make of some kind of pressed road kill. I do not remember any accidents, but my cealing is all covered with some rubs and fuzzy marks from just touching it. It is so damn cheap!!! I thought trucks are supposed to be a little tougher on wear and tear. My friends Kia Rio has exact same material for a headliner, but he only paid $7K for his car

 

Well 1 out of 2 ain't bad

 

My 4Runner has the same shift pattern as the 2003 ES300 same jerk you back into the seat from 1st to 2nd

 

I hate that headliner- in a truck no less!! I already have scuffs in the cargo area that look permanent - just from a bike seat rubbing against it. Not good for under 1K miles!

That's what's going to show wear. everything else inside looks to be solid as a rock. I wish they used that vinyl headliner or regular mouse fur, that ws more durable.

 

Edge,

Thank you for your suggestions, I will take those into consideration. I guess ML is not my first choice, but definitely not BMW in any shape, or form. Maybe MDX, or Nissan Titan, however I am afraid of Nissan, those guys are known lemon farmers. Honestly, besides 4Runner, there is nothing out there worth looking at, and they had to f@ck this one up for me!

 

Yes, that old monkey scrotum they used on our trucks is a bit flimsy Maybe my useless dealer will replace that one under warranty?

 

Sorry to say it but if you like the 4Runner there really is nothing to compare it to. You won't be happy with the ML (beyond bad quality- just open and shut the door), MDX is nice if you like the mini van look. Pilot is good if you want to become a narcaleptic, Titan looks ho-hum unless you like a tailgate latch with a hunk of plastic as big as your chest (I'm not exaggerating) and Nissan quality is well like a Jewish friend of mine says, I'm not a Jew...I'm Jew-ish.

I say you go whole hog on a Limited V8 or a Sport V8... or a Sport V6...or a SR5 V8...another sr5 V6? See you have a whole bunch of choices!

 

Here is my 4x2.