2007 Tacoma Engine Noise

Hey TW,

I've searched extensively within the forum and videos on Youtube but haven't been able to find anyone experiencing this same issue. As is the case I've decided to post a video of whats going on but please feel free to shoot me over to other threads if I missed one on here.

My 07 TRD Tacoma(170k miles) started making noise about four months back. I looked at it and assumed with a tired alternator and belt that that was the root cause of the problem. I replace both at home but the noise continued. I assumed it might be the AC compressor but with that being outside of my skill set, I had an independent shop analyze the problem. They came back with the AC compressor also, spent $900 to have them do that to not fix the issue. Frustrated they went back in and replaced the tensioner and three idler pulleys on their dime....still didn't fix the problem.

I gave up on them and took it to a Toyota dealer and the tech said without really stripping it apart they wouldn't be able to diagnose it. Desperate for help I'm turning to TW for help. Below is a video I filmed this am. In re-watching it, it looks like it could be coming from the AC clutch hub and possibly the gap might not have been set correctly by the factory. Interested to hear your thoughts. Thank you TW!

https://youtu.be/pr7KHyWS-1c

 

Did you check your idler pulleys when you replaced your belt? If you suspect the AC compressor, check to see if the noise is there when your AC is on and off.
Edit: Sorry, just saw that you replaced the idlers. Some are not as good as quality as others. There is a thread here on idler pulleys. Same with the AC compressor. It might have been a bad unit to start with.

 

If you can do it safely, get an extra long screwdriver and place it on the bolt to each pulley and place your ear to the screwdriver handle to listen for the noise. You can also try squirting water at each pulley to see if the noise changes or disappear.

 

The interesting thing that I'm noticing re-watching the video is that if you look to the left of the oil filter between that and the large radiator hose, you can see the AC compressor clutch hub. Towards the end of the video, the noise changes and you see the hub start spinning. When the noise fully disappears the hub is spinning despite the AC button not being engaged. Could this be the source of my insanity?

 

When shop replaced your AC compressor, did they do new ac clutch at the time?

 

Yes, I believe the new compressor came with the clutch already on it.

 

Well, just a thought... Hope it's not somethin more sinister...

 

Assuming that no one else has seen something like this? I figured with the number of these engines that have been out there surely someone must have come across this issue?