need opinions (1 Viewer)

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bought the fj about two months ago, has been making this sound since, has been serviced and no different.

2014 model 116000km when purchased, now 121000km and no different
 
some one on our local forum said header gasket leak, which ive read is common
 
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I replaced mine before it failed, because I had a primary catalytic converter die. I had to replace the left bank header and got a new gasket to throw in there too. I did the right bank at the same time as well.

It's not a fun job. My lovely wife assisted from above, while I wrangled the new header in place.
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so after driving a v6 150 prado, multiple klugers (2grfe engines) and v6 hiluxes (tacomas) the sounds is definetly not "just how they are" and its doing my head in
 
Those videos are not helping; can't hear a thing in them. If my FJ was that quiet I'd be a very happy person.

Try getting out of the cabin, open the hood, and touching the phone to the motor somewhere in a cool spot; lay it on the air intake where it won't rattle and fall off.
 
That actually helps. Thanks.

A phone limits the frequencies it records, but I hear a lot of valve lifter clicking, and something lower end or piston 'rattling'; could even be the cam chain in the background, but nothing that doesn't sound similar to my relatively unused FJ's engine (~37k miles). My logic is that 0-20 synthetic oil doesn't dampen much, and just about every part that is oiled (has a clearance tolerance) makes some noise, and it all adds up.

Grab a long screw driver, point it at the engine in places and stick your ear to it. It helps isolate where the noise is coming from. I once found a bad alternator bearing that sounded like it was a rod about to blow. Bought that truck for $100 because the guy was certain it was the engine. A $35 rebuilt alternator and 20 minutes and I had a great work truck I drove for years.

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On second listen, I do hear a 'knock' you might be asking about, but it doesn't sound like a rod knocking. At 1000rpm idle, a rod is spinning at 16Hz, not 2Hz. So the sound's rate leads me to belts, chains, etc. Could be a slapping fan or timing belt, a bad tensioner, etc. Again, a rod or screwdriver (or stethoscope) will help isolate the noise.

I'm not a mechanic by trade, but have been inside a few engines. And, it also doesn't sound too much different than my newer 2012 FJ engine. The fact mechanics have been near it and heard it and didn't say anything, I'd be biased to say it's normal.
 
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i have thought about tensioners anf belts, also when i had my 570 the waterpump was leaking and made a knocking sound.

couldnt pin point anything with a screw driver, over hear thein aus the recommended oil is 5-30, i made the jump to a 5-40 as recommended by other fj owners.

this is also a 2014 model but had a life on a farm the past 4 years
 
If the knock isn't louder using a stethoscope touching the engine block (or screwdriver :) I'd vote it's outside the engine. Try - with a very long screwdriver, listening in by touching the alternator (easiest), A/C pump (from under the truck), or PS pump (watch the belt doesn't grab you). The alternator may tell you enough: if you clearly hear the knock there, you know it's belt related.

A soft spot in a belt will rattle things pretty well as it takes up tension after the stretchy spot. Had a 15" W-belt make my treadmill sound as if the motor was going to explode. $5 later it purred along silently. I can imagine what a bad 40" W-belt would do by comparison.
 
i cant get close enough with a screw driver, thinking bout buying a stehoscope to use, but at the same time thinking taking to a different repurable mechanic (roadworthy inspection center) for second opinion.

dealership checked it when it was still under warranty so dont really trust there opinion
 
Not a bad idea; but I can honestly say my engine makes some noises I can't explain and has done it since new. Some are knocking sounds not unlike yours. I write it off to low viscosity oil and light weight materials - the V6 has an aluminum block and heads.

btw - A rigid yard stick also works to listen to things a screwdriver won't reach. Metal is best, but wood works. A yard stick is cool because you can poke it on something, stick your ear to the flat side near the top while holding the top end. I learned a lot of cheap tricks rebuilding cars and motorcycles on a $3.00/hr budget :)
 
hearing stories of peooles brandnew ur and gr engines making noises is re-assuring but if you were to drive my car you pivk this noise up strait away. my mate drives a diesel patrol with strait pipes and 35 inch muddies so eberything is quite to him but he still noticed it.

its booked in at our local inspection center on saturday. so will see if they find something
 
Why don’t you start by taking the accessory drive belt ( alternator, water pump, P/S, A/C, idler and tensioner pulleys) off, start it up. Is the noise gone? If it is, it could be any one of those parts.
 
Why don’t you start by taking the accessory drive belt ( alternator, water pump, P/S, A/C, idler and tensioner pulleys) off, start it up. Is the noise gone? If it is, it could be any one of those parts.


i have a habbit of breaking s*** if i do it my self, its booked in with a repurable mechanic so let see wat they say, hopefully just a pully ot belt issue
 
so a quick diagnosis from an independant mechanic yesterday, has put it down to idler pulleys and belt tensioner on thier way out. was hoping for to hear that.

will get them sorted next month.
 
Make sure they know how to tension the new belt correctly. My reading says it's an art form and some mechanics simply torque until they are happy - similar to the guys who never use torque wrenches.
 
these are reputable mechanics so im gonna put some trust in them. they are the local approved inspection center, so not some dodgey daves echanical . either way its better then me attempting it.
 

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