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Sounds like marbles behind timing cover

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by BluCallrBallr, Nov 20, 2018.

  1. Nov 20, 2018 at 2:40 AM
    #1
    BluCallrBallr

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    BluCallrBallr [OP] New Member

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    I have a well seasoned 03 double cab with the 3.4. 250k miles. Long story short, I've noticed a few new sounds for a few weeks gradually increasing in sound & frequency. While waiting in drive thru at InNOut last night the noises stopped for a minute then it sounded like marbles bouncing in engine block. It runs fine, shifts normal. Checked flexplate no damage, noticed small amount of coolant on what I assume is weephole. But it doesn't leak enough to puddle or run hot at all. It's been about 125k since pump & timing belt replaced. Is it possible my water pump is functioning half ass despite being in several pieces inside motor? Is it common for pumps to go out in such a dramatic fashion? I'm at a loss on what else is making the noise. There is no pattern, revs don't change sound nor shifts. I found the awesome link & steps for replacement put together by other members. I'm mechanicly inclined enough to my rebuild 4-stroke dirt bike motor top & bottom. Regaurdless of my lack of confidence I have no choice but to give it go myself. Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated.
     
    BluCallrBallr, Nov 20, 2018
    #1
  2. Nov 20, 2018 at 5:49 AM
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    onakat

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    onakat Well-Known Member

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    if it's been 125k since you last replaced the timing belt, I would replace it as soon as possible, because timing belts must be replaced at around 90k intervals

    Can't say the culprit for sure is the timing belt, because a worn belt won't sound like marbles (if you had a timing chain, yes), but it definitely wouldn't hurt to replace it
     
    Last edited: Nov 20, 2018
    onakat, Nov 20, 2018
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  3. Nov 20, 2018 at 6:19 AM
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    pairodice

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    pairodice Well-Known Member

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    Water pump bearings would be my guess, change it and t belt asap
     
    pairodice, Nov 20, 2018
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  4. Nov 20, 2018 at 6:46 AM
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    jammer

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    jammer 2003 Toyota PreRunner 3.4L

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    Last edited: Nov 20, 2018
    jammer, Nov 20, 2018
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  5. Nov 20, 2018 at 6:48 AM
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    hyper15125

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    hyper15125 Headlight Retrofitting Hobbyist Vendor

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    I would Do a timing belt/WP kit asap.
     
    hyper15125, Nov 20, 2018
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  6. Nov 20, 2018 at 7:16 AM
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    JMB711

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    JMB711 Well-Known Member

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    If you can rock the pump shaft its time for a new pump.
     
    JMB711, Nov 20, 2018
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  7. Nov 20, 2018 at 7:44 AM
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    FirstTimeFirstGen

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    FirstTimeFirstGen Less active than most

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    Not enough to have a build thread.
    If its loud, most likely your water pump. When I was new to wrenching I thought an engine was destroyed because of the noises a water pump was making. I'd also replace all your idlers when doing the timing belt as the bearings in one of those could make some significant noise as well.
     
    FirstTimeFirstGen, Nov 20, 2018
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  8. Dec 9, 2018 at 5:15 PM
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    MitochondriaMan

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    MitochondriaMan Well-Known Member

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    Tensioner went out? It doesn't take much slack for a belt to start slapping the plastic.

    Maybe last tb swap didn't get a new tensioner?
     
    MitochondriaMan, Dec 9, 2018
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  9. Dec 9, 2018 at 5:43 PM
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    FirstTimeFirstGen

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    FirstTimeFirstGen Less active than most

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    Not enough to have a build thread.
    OP has posted once since March 2017. Chances are we will never know....
     
    FirstTimeFirstGen, Dec 9, 2018
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  10. Dec 9, 2018 at 5:50 PM
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    mwrohde

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    mwrohde Well-Known Member

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    This thead was started by OP Nov 20 2018.
     
    mwrohde, Dec 9, 2018
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  11. Dec 9, 2018 at 5:52 PM
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    FirstTimeFirstGen

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    FirstTimeFirstGen Less active than most

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    Not enough to have a build thread.
    Correct, but he only has one post since he joined the forum in March 2017.

    BluCallrBallr [OP] New Member
    Start a Conversation
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    FirstTimeFirstGen, Dec 9, 2018
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  12. Dec 9, 2018 at 5:55 PM
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    mwrohde

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    mwrohde Well-Known Member

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    And this is it. You could be right, but there's no evidence, yet, that says this person asks questions then doesn't follow up.
     
    mwrohde, Dec 9, 2018
    #12
  13. Dec 10, 2018 at 8:14 PM
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    BluCallrBallr

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    BluCallrBallr [OP] New Member

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    Update on my marbles... Tore it down, water pump was the culprit for all the noise. The shaft bearing gave up the ghost. For having 90k on timing belt it looked relatively decent. Tensioners were close to service limit. I went with the recommended kit from Asin $330. I can't say enough about that write up the members put together. Between that and a couple YouTube videos I slowly but surely got it together. Only hiccup was every plastic piece I touched broke. But she's back in action 251000 miles young. I want to thank everyone for their input. The process would still be on going without that tutorial. No more freezing my ass off riding my motorcycle to work. For that I am grateful. Happy holidays
     
    BluCallrBallr, Dec 10, 2018
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  14. Dec 11, 2018 at 5:57 AM
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    FirstTimeFirstGen

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    FirstTimeFirstGen Less active than most

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    Not enough to have a build thread.
    Wow. I really didnt expect an update. I guess my overly pessimistic ass was wrong.

    Thank you for the update and happy to hear you got her done!
     
    FirstTimeFirstGen, Dec 11, 2018
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  15. Dec 11, 2018 at 10:54 AM
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    jbrandt

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    jbrandt Made you look

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    woo hoo! glad you got 'er fixed!

    I did my timing belt a couple years ago, and was rather hesitant at first. I had done timing chain and head gasket work on my old 22r-te 4runner before, but the Taco was my daily driver, and it HAD to be done before the weekend was over.

    I probably obsessed over the same videos and write-ups you did, and they were a godsend.
     
    jbrandt, Dec 11, 2018
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  16. Dec 22, 2018 at 7:51 AM
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    JMB711

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    JMB711 Well-Known Member

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    Just replaced my idlers $16 apiece at Rockauto.
     
    JMB711, Dec 22, 2018
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  17. Dec 22, 2018 at 10:24 AM
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    cruxofthebisquit

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    cruxofthebisquit Well-Known Member

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    OME and worth every penny.
    I would almost be willing to bet the W/P was original and not changed with first belt change.

    I've come to believe it's ridiculous to change a timing belt that often (on schedule) unless it takes 10 yrs. to reach that mileage.

    150K would be my target change.
     
    cruxofthebisquit, Dec 22, 2018
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