Well, unfortunately my appointment to have it done was today (set in advance, they knew the reason, supposedly ordered the shims). I wasn't five feet inside the service department when the service manager grabbed me and wanted to listen to the truck again (sounds just like what happened to Mish). He then brought the tech out who proclaimed the noise normal and that even with a valve adjustment, there would still be some residual noise. When I questioned him why some were dead quiet and mine wasn't he said it because of the allowable variance in the range of adjustment on the valves which is what the Toyota rep had said, almost word for word. Funny how a noise that "wasn't normal" two weeks ago is now "normal" to the exact same tech!

At this point, I went to the general manager and had him make good on his offer to extend my warranty at no cost, which he did. I don't know if Toyota talked to the dealership and said don't try and adjust the valves or if the dealership decided they were opening a can of worms or what but everyone bailed on me (well, not everyone, at least I got an extended warranty out of it and I'll just sell it when it's down to one year left).

Because it was raining part of the long weekend, I was bored and decided to take some old muffler bandage (no longer sold - it's basically asbestos sheeting) and completely wrapped the exhaust manifold on the drivers side (I was really bored and now have a lot less skin on my hands!) - what a difference! A lot of the tapping is resonating from that rolled steel manifold which doesn't excuse the tapping but certainly amplifies the sound. I would imagine the more out of adjustment the valve, the louder this resonance, exacerbating the problem that much more. This may ultimately be Toyota's concern - an adjustment that still is not 100% will sound loud because of the manifold and they don't want to have to replace manifolds and with a shimming process, you don't have an infinite numbers of adjustments like old lifters did.

If you haven't already, call Toyota Tech at 1-800-331-4331 and make sure your complaint is on file and perhaps someday they will do a campaign to fix the tappers. I hope Mish keeps us up to date on his efforts under the lemon laws although I think it's going to be a tough one since Toyota is going to claim "normal engine noise" doesn't affect longevity, reliability or driveability although we don't know that on a brand new model year vehicle. And to think, I got ride of a POS GMC truck because I thought Yota's were bulletproof.

 

Here is the deal: If Toyota says this noise is nomal, it does not mean that it is, as long as you have independent ASE certified inspector state that this noise is a flaw. I have one document stating that, soon I will have another one from attorney appointed engineer, so in the court of law (which is not owned by Toyota) I will have all the leverage I need, if it comes to that.

And to think about it, I was told so many times that Toyota's are great, service is super and even Mercedes is ˟˟˟˟ compared to them:pat:

 

Any updates? Any fixed trucks lately?

 

Mish! Haven't heard from you for a while!
Only update from me is that everything is a-ok

Are yo ukeeping the 4Runner or going to send it back?

 

I am afraid it is not as easy as returning DVD player that one does not want
I am waiting on the arbitration date, which I will loose most likely. I know Toyota technically owns it, so no fast resolution is upon me.

Besides that truck seems to be cleaking through my daily routine just fine, providing solid 19.7mpg. Third radio is on its fourth week of working fine, while establishing a definite reliability record for Fujitsu-Ten Corp..

I am glad that my fellow 4Crawlers are all doing as good as I am, or better.

 

Hi Mish..Haven't heard from you in a while..Did you get your rig fixed and not tell anyone...smile..What's up..let's hear from you..

 

Nope, she rattles like a freakin old mazda more and more.
At this point i am waiting for my arbitration date to see what they say. I will loose most likely, but this will allow me to proceed with the lemon law suit and have this truck bought back.

If it was nto for the faulty motor design I like this car, it tows well, comfortable and good on gas.
Too bad it is maintained by Toyota lawyers instead of technicians

 

The V6 is noisier because it uses a timing chain rather than a timing belt used in the prior 3.4 motor.

The V8 is the best way to go. My 03, gets 20.5 mpg full time 4WD. I use Mobil super. Its smooth, quiet, and powerfull.

 

I hope the use of the timing chain is a return to the past for Toyota. Timing belts are one of the worst ideas they ever had. A little extra noise (if any) is worth not tearing up an interference engine if a belt breaks. The noise the Mish and I, as well as others, are experiencing has nothing to do with the timing chain. It is a valvetrain noise similar to the old lash adjuster system when they were way out of whack. It should be a simple problem (re-shim it) but Toyota has taken the tack of "it's normal" which would be fine if they all did the same thing. However, I've heard whisper quiet V6's and I've heard some with the exact same noise so who knows. We'll see how Mish makes out but in the meantime, I still enjoy the truck and find it very capable with the V6.

 

Have any of you checked to see if the nois is coming from the PCV valve I just installed a new one on my 2nd Gen and it's rattling just like a lifter. Freaked me out till I found out what was happening. Yes they do quiet down as they get older. Just my mechanical 2 cents!

 

Timing chains can break too. A friend of mine had one break in his M6. It had an interference engine. IIRC, among other things, 6 valves were toast. Sodium-filled valves, at $90 a piece. For parts only. The whole job cost him $6000+ and that was 10+ years ago...

 

While debating the pros/cons of V8 belts vs V6 chain are interesting
I think this thread is about solving a noise problem a few of the V6 owners are experiencing.

Mish actually has it well diagnosed. It is a simple fix but he want Toyota to pay for and do it (rightly so). This is why he is pursuing the lemon law thing.
If you read through this thread, you can see he did alot to figure out and basically solve the noise from his engine.

I just hope we don't loose someone with the mechanical know-how (Mish) on yotatech. Hopefully he turns around and gets another 4R!

 

Thank you all for your kind words and not bashing me for being "too critical". I am well enjoying my truck when my windows are up It tows like no other and gets ~20mpg! If valves worked properly it would shake less and get me another mile or two per gallon, I am sure.
I am not sure if I would go with another 4Runner if I get rid of this one, but only because of Toyota's attitude and not because I do not like the truck essentially.

I will keep you all posted on the arbitration process and any further case development.

 

Mish - your mileage is about what I get, but I don't have the problem. Don't think that fixing the valve clearances will increase your mileage.

 

I'm glad you like your V8 Ron, but if you already own a V6...I don't see your point unless of course you are trying to rub it in, and we don't need that in this or any other forum. As far as your gas mileage, I find it hard to believe you are averaging over 20 with a V8 4x4. It would require sticking to the highways for the majority of the time, and perhaps a good tailwind.
I have been averaging 15 to 18mpg with a V6 around town and I am being gentle. I have logged in at 20mpg on a long trip.

Remember, these in dash fuel mileage calculators are off by 1 to 2 mpg, so keep your own log if you want accuracy.

 

I have to agree!

If we needed more cylinders we would go with something else, or V8 4Runner.
If Toyota offers V6 motor, it should be acceptable quality product, not 50/50 rattle non rattle.

 

Is that mpg off of your dash or your own log?
If it is your log, reply with your last three odometer reading/ gallons to fill entries, because I still don't believe you, sorry, nothing personal.
If both motors got the same mileage, why would Toyota offer two.
Everyone would just buy the V8.

 

That is interesting and I value your inside info, thanks.
I still would like to know how you are getting such impresive gas mileage, the only reason I opted for the V6 was the gas mileage.
I mean, who wouldn't want a V8? After spending $30,454.00 as I did, the extra few bucks for the V8 would have been a no brainer.
I'm curious, how does your gas mileage compare to the on board computer estimate?
Thanks,
Greg

 

I get about 15.5 in combined driving (using only premium fuel) with my V8 (contrary to the wildly optimistic 17.1 indicated by the trip computer). I'm hoping it improves with miles (I've got 1800 on it now). My 02 GMC with a 5.3L and 3.73 rear gets 16.5 under the same conditions (and 21 on trips) using regular fuel, but it's well broken in with 19K on it.

 

In a perfect world, I'd be a perfect guy with a perfect truck that made perfect sounds. I'm not. Nor is it.

My best advice is put the valvetrain noise outta your mind and enjoy your new truck for what it is. Break it in. Maintain it. Make a BBQ. Invite some friends over. Focus on cool mods.

My "lemon" 3VZ's driver's side valvetrain has been clacketly for years -- never better, never worse. As far as I'm concerned, par for the course.