Tensioner Or Idler Pulley '09 2.7 RegCabTaco, Noise CLICKS/TAPPETY TAP

So about 4 or 5 months ago, or no more than 1500 miles ago after a 1,200 mile road trip in January out to see the southwestern canyons I found that there was a tappet bearing failure sound from the front of the engine block... intermittently occurring. When I drove 60 miles to the dealer (still under extended warranty) I suggested fan clutch may be failing. YEAH I KNOW. NOW!

The fan clutch rarely fails at 62k miles and I was assured that it was working properly at the dealer after they inspected it; of course the tappet sound wasn't present at the dealer, as one would expect. I was not satisfied to be told all is well knowing full well I had a new sound from the front of the engine that didn't ever used to be keeping time to the REVs of my sweet lil' 2.7 gem.

The dealer's rep said he'd call the warranty company to let them know of my concern and let them make the call whether or not to replace a perfectly fine working fan clutch based on my concern over this TAPPETY-TAP that the dealer never witnessed. After retuning home sometime later that day I got the call from the dealer that the warranty company would okay the $300.00 repair to keep me happy.

A week later the part (never in stock, they never need replacing) arrived at the dealer, I travel back 60 miles, the fix was done, I then am readying to depart in trepidation when the service adviser nonchalantly says, (READY? HERE IT COMES...) "... Mr. 2009 Tacoma owner, we're so glad to be of service and now you have a new fan clutch, funny thing is that it's the idler tension pulley's bearing that we find in these trucks that fail most often, never a fan clutch bearing." Then he added that if the noise returns and the fix was an unwarranted repair the warranty company is not going to be too danged happy to hear back from me, the customer!

I took a slow turn as I walked to my truck and had an uneasy almost sick feeling in my gut that I had been the victim of a service department blunder.

So as you may have guessed by now, indeed I find that the TAPPETY TAP has returned and now I've got a month and a half on my extended warranty remaining and 120 mile round trip to consider ...blood pressure rising and wondering how I can 'DYI' this repair to keep me from reaming that adviser a fresh fecal egress!

I'll keep my finger on the 'Page Down' tab and try searching the browser some more but I just wanted to put it out there that DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENTS make me feel uneasy, I cringe driving up to their service aisle. Basically I get a sick feeling in the pit of my gut when I arrive and I'm done going to them! Well that's a no brainer, my warranty being defunct in 45 days.

p.s. this is my second foul from dealer service.... different dealer locations.

 

Replacing an idler pulley is only slightly more difficult than replacing wiper blades. If you can change your serpentine, you can do this. Give it a shot.