Strange sound coming from my distributor or PVC

[UGA2018]

Totally agree! I replaced them all after I snapped this picture hoping it would take care of the problem. It didn't.

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

When I first got my truck the HIC wasnt hooked up nor was much else.... the smaller port was open and the larger was capped. Maybe try it capped and see if you hear the noise still? Got a stethoscope? I jimmied an extra of mine w/ a funnel on the end, it works well enough but they have them in auto parts shops.

 

[BGarcia88FJ62]

Re: Stethoscope I have one you want to borrow it? Just let me know. only issue is getting it to you i'm bugging out to
Arkansas early Wednesday morning, let me know if you need it you can pick it up in Cartersville. Just let me know.

 

[UGA2018]

Thanks @BGarcia88FJ62! I decided to go ahead and order a new PCV valve and grommet tonight. It's a pretty cheap part so I thought just go ahead and replace it and see what happens.

I do think that is where the noise is coming from but what has me stumped is that it only happens when the line is plugged into the HIC. When I pull the line off and pinch it it makes the noise again. When I don't pinch it it doesn't make the noise and it sucks like crazy!

The noise it makes is the exact same when I pinch that line or when I plug it into the HIC. So it seems like it can't pull air from the HIC. But maybe it's somehow triggering a leak at the PCV.

Strange...

 

[UGA2018]

Also I tend to wonder if the VCV there is leaking too. Have you checked it (you would put vacuum to the S port)? And the PCV can be pulled (yours is metal, which could be good, poss not) and spray the snot out of it with brake cleaner. My old one was plastic and loaded with sediment so bad it had zero movement. Once I sprayed it out and tapped it over and over on a paper towel the rusty sludge all came out and I could then see the valve inside it move up and down with motion.

The VCV is brand new. That's what I thought the problem was initially so I replaced it with an OEM one. Not change in the sound at all. Then I thought maybe the lines are old and not fastening tightly at the connection. So I replaced the lines and got better fasteners to hold them on. Still no change.

But that's when I noticed when I pulled the line going to port B on the HIC and the noise stopped and the engine run smoother. So I now one thing for sure.... it's vacuum related. And I am pretty sure that it is either the PCV or the HIC. HIC make sense as the problem but the noise isn't there.... it's at the PCV.

 

[CaptClose]

That pcv line from the crankcase to the intake can get pretty sludgy too. I would imagine it could sound like slurping the last bit from bottom of a milkshake cup through a straw. Go ahead and replace that line as well while you're at it.

 

[UGA2018]

@CaptClose I've hunted around online for a PCV line and it looks like this isn't standard line that you purchase. Just any old line of the same length/diameter works. Is that correct? Thanks!

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

Any pcv line works. I bought a replacement stretch of 2' from Napa. Just bring it w/ you to get the right diameter.

 

[CaptClose]

@CaptClose I've hunted around online for a PCV line and it looks like this isn't standard line that you purchase. Just any old line of the same length/diameter works. Is that correct? Thanks!

You need to get the stiffest PCV line you can find. The hose is reinforced to prevent collapsing. I snipped off about an inch from the end and brought it to Napa. They let we walk back to their supply room and compare it to all the bulk spool hose they had in the back. I cant remember the excact size I bought, but I just clamped iron real tight and it's been working fine.

 

[UGA2018]

Do I have this right? Thanks!

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

Yes the lower in red is a hard section of pipe that's part of the push rod side cover. Just by chance did you stick your finger in it? Hopefully it didn't come out like this....

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

Hehehe. Yummy huh?

 

[UGA2018]

Not yet but I'll give it a try.

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

So that's a pix def of yours above? Where's the T for the HIC? Did you ditch it?

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

Btw, pvc is the white plastic stuff for plumbing.

 

[UGA2018]

No it's above the pic so you can't see it. Right now I have it just pulling air from the atmosphere and not connected to the HIC. Seems to run better and idle up a bit. Do you think that I need to attach it to the HIC or can I just let it pull from the atmosphere.

I pulled the PVC off tonight and shook it to hear if it rattled. It did which I have been told means that it is still in working order. So it seems like it isn't the PVC but I'm still going to replace it when the part comes in tomorrow.

 

[CaptClose]

You can't just let that HIC "T" suck air from atmosphere. It's a substantial vacuum leak. If your engine is actually idling better with that leak, you've got a problem somewhere else.

 

[UGA2018]

After a week of the magical mystery tour trying to discover what in the world that noise was.... I think I fixed it! Yes I replaced the PVC and in doing so I noticed the substantial difference between what I was putting into the truck (OEM Toyota) and some other cheap thing. You can see the OEM PVC in the picture on the right compared to what was in the truck.

I think the old PVC was just rattling and on it's last leg. I learned more about the vacuum system of this truck in the past week than I ever knew. Thank you to all of you for all of your help!

It's a good thing that I learned a lot about the vacuum system because I think I must now have a vacuum leak. The idle is now really really low! About 400 RPM's and just struggling to hang on.

So replacing those lines and making sure they are hooked up right is in my near future. Thanks everyone for your help!

 

[CaptClose]

If you can hold idle at 400 RPM's, your vacuum might be pretty good. Get a vacuum gauge on there and let's see what you've got at around 900 RPM's.

You might just need to adjust your idle and timing.