SQUEAL + RATTLE + COLD = truck menopause?

2001 4 door Tacoma
AT
193K miles.
4 CYL

Doesn't burn a single drop of oil, between 5k DINO oil changes.
Runs excellent.
No issues.

However, last week or so, when temps under 50 degrees, two things are happening:

1) Squeal noise upon cold temp startup. It lasts 2 seconds and noise goes away.

2) Loud RATTLE noise from engine, as it starts up with the squeal. Almost sounds like a motor t hat has no oil in it, "clacket clackity" noise.
Truck is parked NOSE up, at a VERY high incline. Is it possible oil is draining to one side and truck not getting enough on startup?
Once I turn it around, and drive downhill, no more clacket engine noises.


Both of these symptoms are happening together, and only very early morning in low temps.


Appreciate the help.

 

Rattle and squeal seem to be more likely a belt and a pulley or something .

 

Thank you Elijah.

Guess have to have the mechanic look at the belt and pulley you suggested.

 

if you're on a very steep incline i could understand it being a bit starved for oil. does it only do it when you park on the incline? anywhere else you could test it for a night or two?

 

The "squeal" has happened on flat ground and on the incline.


The "rattle/clickety" sound I am not sure. I tried parking it on flat ground (but both of those the temps weren't cold enough, so squeal/rattle didn't happen).

I am going to park for the next week on the flat driveway instead of the incline part and see if the rattle happens, as we are supposed to get a very cold front next week Sunday-Wed next week (48 degrees)

 

48 degrees sounds toasty from over here in wisconsin!

squeal could be a belt. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/squeal-during-light-throttle.452569/#post-13507350

there's a post i made for another guy here about tightening up the belts if you want to give that a shot before you take it in.

 

Thank you kindly for the link and info. I will read that through and check the belts.

Yeah not sure I could live in WI. OshKosh air show is nice though

 

Update

When I park on flat ground there is not ratting on cold start up

So maybe incline was causing fuel starvation issues ?

Took truck up to OR, in 35 degree no squeals on startup

In Los Angeles at 66 degree cold start, there is 3 seconds of belt squeal on startup


Which belt works when car is started up?
Which belts should I replace ?

 

Since it didnt do it on flat ground there is a real good chance its starving for oil at first!

All the belts spin when your truck running... There is 3 of them. Even if a guy isnt savy to the workings of a vehicle it should be fairly obvious if a belt is in less than good condition upon inspection. Its super easy to tighten them too, even if a belt isnt in very good condition you can still get a lil more life and stop a squealing issue by giving it/them a slight tighten!

 

Thank you.

I don't have to park it on the incline. I will move it to flat ground permanently.


Thanks, will check out the belts and post some pics

 

Did you have any luck with fixing the squeal?
I don't have the rattle, but I do have the squeal on startup every morning for the past month or two. I live in Washington, so it's pretty cool most mornings.. anywhere from 30 to 50 degrees. A friend of mine told me that if the belts look fine and they are not loose, that it is a bearing in the Power Steering tensioner pulley. So, he said to just replace that pulley. I went to autozone and picked one up for $25 yesterday. Hoping to install it later today. I'll let ya know if it fixes my squeal.

 

No luck on mine
Please let me know if beating fixes it

Was out on a 2300 mile trip in the Pro

2001 sat at home ten days

Go to start it today at 42F and OMG the squeak and the rattle was so loud

It was parked on level ground

1) I think the clattering is piston slap that the 2.7L is known for

2) I checked all belts and they are tight. Can't figure out squeal

My symptoms are only very cold and after it sits for 10-12 hours at a time

Wondering if its bearings or something else

 

Easiest way to tell if it's external or internal. Remove all belts and start truck for a few seconds. If squeal remains, it's internal. Install one belt at a time starting only for a few seconds each time. If squeal comes back at any point with each belt, you'll have diagnosed which external drive belt component it is. But if it's the belt or accessory, like a pulley, is another question at that point. But you'll at least know if it's internal or external.

 

Thank you!

It did it slightly today. I tried to capture on phone for you to hear. But can't seem to upload from phone to here.

No piston slap today though.

 

UPDATE

Took all the belts off. All the bearings are off. Bearings are all good. Belts are good too, but they are very cheap, no kevlar. Replacing them with good Gates/OEM ones, hoping that will take care of it.

 

I couldn't get the bolt loosened to remove my pulley, so, I took it into a trusted mechanic who really had to work hard to get the bolt to turn. anyways, he said the squeal was just old/loose belts.. said when the edges on the belt start showing the ridges or the inside is shiny, it's time to get some new belts.. he replaced them and now I don't have any start up squeal. Don't know what to tell you about the engine rattle though..

 

@NathanielDavidson Engine rattle is normal (per al my research on the 2.7) called piston slap

All squeal is gone after belt replacements