1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site
    Quick Links: Hitch question 3.4 pcv replacement Rear Axle Bearings Radio Keyless entry conversion when electric locks already there? Plastic liner vs spray in

Help! Strange noise on 1998 Tacoma 3.4L

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Killer, Mar 9, 2012.

  1. Mar 9, 2012 at 5:49 AM
    #1
    Killer

    #1
    Killer [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 19, 2010
    Member:
    #37417
    Messages:
    595
    Gender:
    Male
    Mobile, Al.
    Vehicle:
    98 4x4 TRD V6 3.4L SR5 XCab Gold with Tan Int
    19,000 Original Miles, Factory Alarm, Factory Tow Package, Low Profile UWS Black Tool Box, 20ft. of Dynamat Xtreme, Pioneer Double Din DVD 3200BT, IPod Holder, Q Form Kick Panels, 3 Pairs of MB Quart component speakers, JL Audio Stealthbox, Alpine PDX-5 amp, PIAA Foglights, WeatherTech Floor Mats, Maxxis Big Horn Mud Tires 32 x 11.5 R x 15, Wet Okole Seat Cover for 60/40 Bench, 5100's Front & Rear, Wheeler's Single Leaf AAL, Warn 8,000 Winch, Warn Transformer Brush Guard, Stebel Nautilus Compact Horn
    Help! Strange noise on 1998 Tacoma 3.4L


    My son's truck started making this noise about a week ago.

    Before I started changing parts, I wanted to see if anyone here had any suggestions on what the noise is?

    This noise was filmed with the AC fan off and in an idling. The pitch doesn't change when the steering wheel is turned.

    Also, any step by step guide into how to fix it would be appreciated.

    Thanks for your help and suggestions!

    http://youtu.be/j7fDS4qQ6s8
     
    Killer, Mar 9, 2012
    #1
  2. Mar 9, 2012 at 5:55 AM
    #2
    Killer

    #2
    Killer [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 19, 2010
    Member:
    #37417
    Messages:
    595
    Gender:
    Male
    Mobile, Al.
    Vehicle:
    98 4x4 TRD V6 3.4L SR5 XCab Gold with Tan Int
    19,000 Original Miles, Factory Alarm, Factory Tow Package, Low Profile UWS Black Tool Box, 20ft. of Dynamat Xtreme, Pioneer Double Din DVD 3200BT, IPod Holder, Q Form Kick Panels, 3 Pairs of MB Quart component speakers, JL Audio Stealthbox, Alpine PDX-5 amp, PIAA Foglights, WeatherTech Floor Mats, Maxxis Big Horn Mud Tires 32 x 11.5 R x 15, Wet Okole Seat Cover for 60/40 Bench, 5100's Front & Rear, Wheeler's Single Leaf AAL, Warn 8,000 Winch, Warn Transformer Brush Guard, Stebel Nautilus Compact Horn
    http://youtu.be/KWL_yeRHdJI

    <iframe width="640" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KWL_yeRHdJI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
     
    Killer, Mar 9, 2012
    #2
  3. Mar 9, 2012 at 6:02 AM
    #3
    98tacoma27

    #3
    98tacoma27 is going full "SANDWICH" Moderator

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2008
    Member:
    #11714
    Messages:
    67,730
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ben
    Not Beech Creek
    Vehicle:
    05 Tundra SR5 (+295k AND COUNTING), 2006 F350 King Ranch 6.0L
    Some stuff. Not a lot, just some.
    Does the noise get louder with higher RPM's?
     
    98tacoma27, Mar 9, 2012
    #3
  4. Mar 9, 2012 at 6:04 AM
    #4
    Killer

    #4
    Killer [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 19, 2010
    Member:
    #37417
    Messages:
    595
    Gender:
    Male
    Mobile, Al.
    Vehicle:
    98 4x4 TRD V6 3.4L SR5 XCab Gold with Tan Int
    19,000 Original Miles, Factory Alarm, Factory Tow Package, Low Profile UWS Black Tool Box, 20ft. of Dynamat Xtreme, Pioneer Double Din DVD 3200BT, IPod Holder, Q Form Kick Panels, 3 Pairs of MB Quart component speakers, JL Audio Stealthbox, Alpine PDX-5 amp, PIAA Foglights, WeatherTech Floor Mats, Maxxis Big Horn Mud Tires 32 x 11.5 R x 15, Wet Okole Seat Cover for 60/40 Bench, 5100's Front & Rear, Wheeler's Single Leaf AAL, Warn 8,000 Winch, Warn Transformer Brush Guard, Stebel Nautilus Compact Horn
    Yes it gets louder with more RPMs.
     
    Killer, Mar 9, 2012
    #4
  5. Mar 9, 2012 at 6:05 AM
    #5
    hillbillynwv

    #5
    hillbillynwv Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2008
    Member:
    #7555
    Messages:
    1,135
    Gender:
    Male
    Fairmont, WV
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tacoma 6MT TRD Pro
    Falken Wildpeak MT 285's
    Harmonic balancer on crank could be going bad?? How many miles on this 1998?
     
    hillbillynwv, Mar 9, 2012
    #5
  6. Mar 9, 2012 at 6:07 AM
    #6
    Killer

    #6
    Killer [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 19, 2010
    Member:
    #37417
    Messages:
    595
    Gender:
    Male
    Mobile, Al.
    Vehicle:
    98 4x4 TRD V6 3.4L SR5 XCab Gold with Tan Int
    19,000 Original Miles, Factory Alarm, Factory Tow Package, Low Profile UWS Black Tool Box, 20ft. of Dynamat Xtreme, Pioneer Double Din DVD 3200BT, IPod Holder, Q Form Kick Panels, 3 Pairs of MB Quart component speakers, JL Audio Stealthbox, Alpine PDX-5 amp, PIAA Foglights, WeatherTech Floor Mats, Maxxis Big Horn Mud Tires 32 x 11.5 R x 15, Wet Okole Seat Cover for 60/40 Bench, 5100's Front & Rear, Wheeler's Single Leaf AAL, Warn 8,000 Winch, Warn Transformer Brush Guard, Stebel Nautilus Compact Horn
    This 1998 Tacoma now has 33,000 miles.
     
    Killer, Mar 9, 2012
    #6
  7. Mar 9, 2012 at 6:09 AM
    #7
    98tacoma27

    #7
    98tacoma27 is going full "SANDWICH" Moderator

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2008
    Member:
    #11714
    Messages:
    67,730
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ben
    Not Beech Creek
    Vehicle:
    05 Tundra SR5 (+295k AND COUNTING), 2006 F350 King Ranch 6.0L
    Some stuff. Not a lot, just some.
    It could be a number of things. It's hard to tell from a video. If it were mine, I'd remove all the belts and check the pulleys and idlers. Check the water pump too. Then if there was nothing wrong with those, I'd look at the timing idlers. When was the timing belt last changed?
     
    98tacoma27, Mar 9, 2012
    #7
  8. Mar 9, 2012 at 6:09 AM
    #8
    98tacoma27

    #8
    98tacoma27 is going full "SANDWICH" Moderator

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2008
    Member:
    #11714
    Messages:
    67,730
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ben
    Not Beech Creek
    Vehicle:
    05 Tundra SR5 (+295k AND COUNTING), 2006 F350 King Ranch 6.0L
    Some stuff. Not a lot, just some.
    33K? Wow, garage kept?
     
    98tacoma27, Mar 9, 2012
    #8
  9. Mar 9, 2012 at 6:14 AM
    #9
    Killer

    #9
    Killer [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 19, 2010
    Member:
    #37417
    Messages:
    595
    Gender:
    Male
    Mobile, Al.
    Vehicle:
    98 4x4 TRD V6 3.4L SR5 XCab Gold with Tan Int
    19,000 Original Miles, Factory Alarm, Factory Tow Package, Low Profile UWS Black Tool Box, 20ft. of Dynamat Xtreme, Pioneer Double Din DVD 3200BT, IPod Holder, Q Form Kick Panels, 3 Pairs of MB Quart component speakers, JL Audio Stealthbox, Alpine PDX-5 amp, PIAA Foglights, WeatherTech Floor Mats, Maxxis Big Horn Mud Tires 32 x 11.5 R x 15, Wet Okole Seat Cover for 60/40 Bench, 5100's Front & Rear, Wheeler's Single Leaf AAL, Warn 8,000 Winch, Warn Transformer Brush Guard, Stebel Nautilus Compact Horn
    I bought it from a retired man that kept the Tacoma in a barn at his hunting camp. It had 19,000 miles on it when I bought it a 1.5 years ago. It had never been washed or cleaned. I think he greased it, changed oil and put gas in it.

    Other than that, I don't think he touched anything else on the Tacoma. So no timing belt has been changed, no water pump was changed or anything else.
     
    Killer, Mar 9, 2012
    #9
  10. Mar 9, 2012 at 6:15 AM
    #10
    hillbillynwv

    #10
    hillbillynwv Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2008
    Member:
    #7555
    Messages:
    1,135
    Gender:
    Male
    Fairmont, WV
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tacoma 6MT TRD Pro
    Falken Wildpeak MT 285's
    33,000 or 133,000 miles?......My wife's 1998 4Runner with the same motor has 203,0000 miles!..........that's amazing if it is a 98 with only 33K.
     
    hillbillynwv, Mar 9, 2012
    #10
  11. Mar 9, 2012 at 6:15 AM
    #11
    98tacoma27

    #11
    98tacoma27 is going full "SANDWICH" Moderator

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2008
    Member:
    #11714
    Messages:
    67,730
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ben
    Not Beech Creek
    Vehicle:
    05 Tundra SR5 (+295k AND COUNTING), 2006 F350 King Ranch 6.0L
    Some stuff. Not a lot, just some.
    It just started doing this?
     
    98tacoma27, Mar 9, 2012
    #11
  12. Mar 9, 2012 at 6:19 AM
    #12
    Killer

    #12
    Killer [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 19, 2010
    Member:
    #37417
    Messages:
    595
    Gender:
    Male
    Mobile, Al.
    Vehicle:
    98 4x4 TRD V6 3.4L SR5 XCab Gold with Tan Int
    19,000 Original Miles, Factory Alarm, Factory Tow Package, Low Profile UWS Black Tool Box, 20ft. of Dynamat Xtreme, Pioneer Double Din DVD 3200BT, IPod Holder, Q Form Kick Panels, 3 Pairs of MB Quart component speakers, JL Audio Stealthbox, Alpine PDX-5 amp, PIAA Foglights, WeatherTech Floor Mats, Maxxis Big Horn Mud Tires 32 x 11.5 R x 15, Wet Okole Seat Cover for 60/40 Bench, 5100's Front & Rear, Wheeler's Single Leaf AAL, Warn 8,000 Winch, Warn Transformer Brush Guard, Stebel Nautilus Compact Horn
    Yes it has 33,000 miles. Not 133,000 miles.

    My son told me about it about a week ago. The last time I was under the hood of the Tacoma was around the first of January 2012. He had me put in a high power amplifiers in for Christmas so I had to upgrade the alternator. The Tacoma sounded fine then.
     
    Killer, Mar 9, 2012
    #12
  13. Mar 9, 2012 at 8:29 AM
    #13
    Killer

    #13
    Killer [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 19, 2010
    Member:
    #37417
    Messages:
    595
    Gender:
    Male
    Mobile, Al.
    Vehicle:
    98 4x4 TRD V6 3.4L SR5 XCab Gold with Tan Int
    19,000 Original Miles, Factory Alarm, Factory Tow Package, Low Profile UWS Black Tool Box, 20ft. of Dynamat Xtreme, Pioneer Double Din DVD 3200BT, IPod Holder, Q Form Kick Panels, 3 Pairs of MB Quart component speakers, JL Audio Stealthbox, Alpine PDX-5 amp, PIAA Foglights, WeatherTech Floor Mats, Maxxis Big Horn Mud Tires 32 x 11.5 R x 15, Wet Okole Seat Cover for 60/40 Bench, 5100's Front & Rear, Wheeler's Single Leaf AAL, Warn 8,000 Winch, Warn Transformer Brush Guard, Stebel Nautilus Compact Horn
    Bump
     
    Killer, Mar 9, 2012
    #13
  14. Mar 9, 2012 at 9:12 AM
    #14
    Trifenix

    #14
    Trifenix Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2011
    Member:
    #49090
    Messages:
    1,236
    Gender:
    Male
    so cal
    Vehicle:
    99 LT 5 lug Taco
    Its the sound system. Possible bad ground. Alternator or head unit.
     
    Trifenix, Mar 9, 2012
    #14
  15. Mar 9, 2012 at 9:31 AM
    #15
    00yotasr5

    #15
    00yotasr5 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2011
    Member:
    #50676
    Messages:
    971
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    lee
    merced, ca
    Vehicle:
    00 SR5 4X4 RED DEVIL
    Icon ext travel expo leafs rear billies 5125 10'' travel bamf bpv relocate Brute Force Fab Sliders allpro ss brake lines f/r LR UCA 22in wetokled bar RAT Products ifs skid ARB rear locker Ultra gauge Redline Hood Struts Blue Sea Fuse box smittybilt xrc 9.5 w/TJM synthetic rope trail-gear rock assault low profile bumper LED bed strip 12v/usb charger in truck bed
    kinda sounds like mine, front main bearing (crank). if under load the noise get louder once i get to speed limit noise quite down.
     
    00yotasr5, Mar 9, 2012
    #15
  16. Mar 9, 2012 at 9:41 AM
    #16
    MapleMoose

    #16
    MapleMoose Drunk Canadian

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2011
    Member:
    #51211
    Messages:
    8,576
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ian
    West Kootenays
    Vehicle:
    1996 Tacoma SR5
    3" Eibach Coils, 3" AP Springs, AP 6" Shackles Toytec Diff drop, BAMF Sliders, Deck plate mod,Volt meter, Highbeam mod, PIAA fogs, 18" Magnaflow, LED dash swap, Color matched Satoshi Grille, Custom Rear Plate Bumper

    Sounds like an idler or bearing. Either the crank, water pump idler, or one of the free idlers. If it starts squealing then its most likely the water pump idler which means change the water pump. If it starts to smell like burnt rubber or any smoke comes out then the idler is REALLY done. The bearing will be completely done and your timing belt will start to rub and burn

    Happened to me, but that was at +200,000 miles.

    Best way to proceed is to pull off your top rad hose and pull off the crank cover(the thing that says 3400 FOUR CAM 24) Then you can see your timing belt and idlers.

    What?! :confused:
     
    MapleMoose, Mar 9, 2012
    #16
  17. Mar 9, 2012 at 10:11 AM
    #17
    MapleMoose

    #17
    MapleMoose Drunk Canadian

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2011
    Member:
    #51211
    Messages:
    8,576
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ian
    West Kootenays
    Vehicle:
    1996 Tacoma SR5
    3" Eibach Coils, 3" AP Springs, AP 6" Shackles Toytec Diff drop, BAMF Sliders, Deck plate mod,Volt meter, Highbeam mod, PIAA fogs, 18" Magnaflow, LED dash swap, Color matched Satoshi Grille, Custom Rear Plate Bumper
    This is what the water pump idler looked like when i took the cover off. Notice its at an angle and poping off

    [​IMG]
     
    MapleMoose, Mar 9, 2012
    #17
  18. Mar 9, 2012 at 4:22 PM
    #18
    hossmaster

    #18
    hossmaster Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2012
    Member:
    #73399
    Messages:
    518
    Gender:
    Male
    League City, Tx
    Vehicle:
    2002 Converted / 2017 OR
    Was a PreRunner, now it isn't
    First place i would start would be the A/C idler bearing. That one is super easy to check and replace.
     
    hossmaster, Mar 9, 2012
    #18
  19. Mar 10, 2012 at 9:10 AM
    #19
    Trifenix

    #19
    Trifenix Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2011
    Member:
    #49090
    Messages:
    1,236
    Gender:
    Male
    so cal
    Vehicle:
    99 LT 5 lug Taco
    I just thought it could be electrical related since it was just installed. Since low mileage didnt think it would be bearing related but i guess that depends on condition of the truck.
     
    Trifenix, Mar 10, 2012
    #19
  20. Mar 10, 2012 at 5:50 PM
    #20
    Killer

    #20
    Killer [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 19, 2010
    Member:
    #37417
    Messages:
    595
    Gender:
    Male
    Mobile, Al.
    Vehicle:
    98 4x4 TRD V6 3.4L SR5 XCab Gold with Tan Int
    19,000 Original Miles, Factory Alarm, Factory Tow Package, Low Profile UWS Black Tool Box, 20ft. of Dynamat Xtreme, Pioneer Double Din DVD 3200BT, IPod Holder, Q Form Kick Panels, 3 Pairs of MB Quart component speakers, JL Audio Stealthbox, Alpine PDX-5 amp, PIAA Foglights, WeatherTech Floor Mats, Maxxis Big Horn Mud Tires 32 x 11.5 R x 15, Wet Okole Seat Cover for 60/40 Bench, 5100's Front & Rear, Wheeler's Single Leaf AAL, Warn 8,000 Winch, Warn Transformer Brush Guard, Stebel Nautilus Compact Horn
    I just got my truck back from the Toyota dealership. If anyone ever has this same problem, it was the AC tensioner pulley. The 3.4L had 36,869 miles.

    While it was there I had them replace the timing belt, water pump, belts, hoses and fuel rail service. It was expensive but, I don't want my son breaking down out of town.

    They also said my truck has never had a recall on the frame or ball joints.
     
    Killer, Mar 10, 2012
    #20

Products Discussed in

Mobil 1 104361 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)
$29.13
M18 Cordless Lithium-Ion 6-1/2" Circular Saw - 2630-20 - ( MILWAUKEE ) - BARE TOOL
$85.00
DENSO ---SK20HR11---- IRIDIUM PLATINUM power pack Spark Plugs -- # 3421 ----- 6 PCS NEW
$52.04
ATP Automotive AT-205 Re-Seal Stops Leaks, 8 Ounce Bottle
$19.21
Ford Genuine Ford Fluid XT-M5-QS Full Synthetic Manual Transmission Fluid - 1 Quart , black
$33.50
VIAIR 88P Portable Compressor Kit (12V, 120 Psi, Forup to 33" Tires)
$90.18
Energy Suspension 9.11104 Formula 5 Prelube Grease - 8 oz., silver
$10.99
Dorman 75450 Door Lock Rod Clips Compatible with Select Models, 6 Piece
$7.74
18 Pcs Transfer & Differential Service Gasket Kit Replacement for Toyota Almost Vehicles 9043024003 90430A0003 1215710010
$7.99
XQSM 26 PCS Fender Flare Retainer Clips Compatible with Toyota Tacoma 2001-2004 Fender Flare Retainer Clip Replace 90904-6703690904-67037
$8.19
18 Pieces Brake Bleeder Cap Grease Fitting Caps Rubber Zerk Covers Brake Caliper Dust Cover Brake Bleeder Nipple Cap for Cars and Motorcycles
$5.59
NGK Spark Plug Stock # 3967
$6.00
MOTOALL Automotive Fasteners Door Lock Rod Clip Rivet Plastic Car Clips 24 Pcs
$9.99
IRWIN Tools VISE-GRIP Original 4" Locking Wrench with Wire Cutter (item #8)
$11.99
RAM Mounts RAM-B-367U Motorcycle Handlebar Clamp Base with M8 Bolts with B Size 1" Ball
$12.99
Toyota Ball Joint - 43310-39016
$47.03
Angveirt Under Hood Rodent Repeller Mouse Repellent Battery Operated Rodent Repellent Ultrasonic Pest Repeller Humane Mouse Trap Substitute Mice Repellent for Cars Garage Basement - 2 Pack
$39.99
SYCT Driver Seat Side Trim Bezel for 2001-2004 Bucket Seats (ABS Plastic, Light Gray), LUCK000775,Support for adaptive queries,Easy to install
$39.00
Lisle 33260 Flaring Tool
$64.63
FK Bearings WSSX16T Spherical Bearing with Teflon, 1" (1-3/8 Wide), 1 Pack
$54.99
StopTech 950.44007 StopTech Stainless Steel Front Brake lines for 95-07 Toyota 4 Runner
$56.74
Toyota Seal Packing - 08826-00100
$82.71
Red Line (50305) MT-90 75W-90 GL-4 Manual Transmission and Transaxle Lubricant (MTL) - 1 Gallon
$90.60
Wilwood Engineering 260-12627 Adjacent Proportioning Valve Knob Style (M10 x 1.0 BF inlet)
$48.44
Spectre Performance 9751 Black 4" Air Duct Hose
$51.41
Kat Sense Covered Rat & Chipmunk Traps, Prevents Accidental Triggering with Tunneled Design, Quick Humane Kill, Indoor 'N Outdoor Mouse Snap Traps
$19.96
MOOG ES3546 Steering Tie Rod End for Toyota Tacoma
$30.82
T1A Metal Upgrade Exterior Door Handle Replacement for 1995-2004 Tacoma, Fits Outside Front Left Driver's Side, Black Color, T1A-69220-35020-METAL
$31.77
T1A Metal Upgrade Black Exterior Outside Front Right Passenger Side Door Handle Replacement for 1995-2004 Tacoma T1A-69210-35020-METAL
$31.77
Foseal OBD2 Scanner, WiFi Car Code Reader Check Engine Light Diagnostic Scan Tool for iOS and Android
$24.99
Lisa Burns And Louise Burns In The Shining Spooky Creepy Twins In Hallway 16x20 Classic Hollywood Poster
$24.99
Upgr8 Universal 4mm/6mm/8mm/12mm Inner Diameter High Performance Silicone Vacuum Hose Kit (Blue)
$39.95
ANCEL AD310 Classic Enhanced Universal OBD II Scanner Car Engine Fault Code Reader CAN Diagnostic Scan Tool-Black
$25.99
Toyota Tacoma 2001-2004 Double Cab Door Belt Molding 4pc Set Weatherstrip Genuine OEM
$229.90
Toyota Ball Joint - 43340-39436
$135.94
AUTO-PALPAL IDLE SPEED CONTROL VALVE 22270-75040 2227075040, Compatible with 2RZ 3RZ
$126.78
AEM (30-4110) UEGO Air/Fuel Ratio Gauge
$184.95
RUSSELL/EDEL 640700 Fuel Pressure Take Off Banjo Belt
$17.64
Hi-Lift Sport Utility Vehicle Jack LM-100 Lift-Mate, 5000 pound capacity
$50.09
Baofeng UV-5R Ham Radio Long Range Handheld UV5R Dual Band 3800mAh Rechargeable Two Way Radio Walkie Talkies for Adults with Earpiece,Speaker Mic and Programming Cable Full Kit (Black-1Pack)
$39.97
ScanGauge - SG2 II Ultra Compact 3-in-1 Automotive Computer with Customizable Real-Time Fuel Economy Digital Gauges , Black , 5"
$149.56
F133S with LC-10 S-Series Large Body FUMOTO Valve with Short Nipple and LC-10 Lever Clip for 12mm-1.25 Gold
$60.17
To Top