Winter and the 1gr-fe

Many post with people asking if X sound is normal end with someone saying that some 1gr-fe are noisier than the other and live with it. I know 3 people with Tacoma, 3 different year and we sound all different. I think different exhaust brand/model "transport" the engine sound differently.

With all the video i saw on youtube, i found only 1 who have exactly how my engine sound in the summer at idle, same tick,tap low end noise. https://youtu.be/9RsNkuxnGxs
so i'm not surprised to find 0 video with the cold noise i have when starting.

Two last morning @ -11c and i didn't hear the noise. I'm sure if it's something bad the noise will be there everytime. It's just weird how randomly this happen.

 

Here's what mine sounds like from inside the cab when it happens. You'll need to turn up the volume. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFJx75kTmEw

 

Your noise seem to be in the same low end frequency range, but slower, maybe because the idle rpm is near 600. My sound is faster (cold idle 1500 rpm). Your engine seem at running temp. Do you have this noise only in winter or all year long ?

 

When I first start it from cold it is much faster, it's definitely related to RPM. I first thought piston slab, and was told that by my dealer, but it didn't go away once the engine warmed up like piston slap usually does. This video was after driving it for about 10 mins, then stopped in gear so the engine still has load on it. When I switch to neutral it basically goes away. The noise gets a little louder as I accelerate but then goes away around 2000 rpm, so I don't really ever hear it while actually driving.

It definitely is worse in the winter but I would sometimes hear it in the summer on a cold start too. Since switching to 87 octane after running 91 since brand new, the noise has basically gone away. The noise would also go away completely if I just quickly rev it to high rpm. That and the octane switch makes me believe it's related the to variable valve timing.

Just a hunch, but I think it's possibly the VVT-I actuator like this guy explains.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwJ5BBHb9W4

 

I run 0W-30 in my truck, and cold starts have greatly improved. When the temp drops below 0F, I plug in my engine block heater. Cold oil heats up pretty quickly in a warm engine.

 

VVT rattle is a common noise when the pin don't lock correctly, i don't think the sound i hear is comming from the gear assembly, well i don't hear it from the outside. Maybe the high oil pressure at cold winter is messing with the vvt and when the pressure start to drop when the oil circulate this create some kind of knocking in the cylinder or in the camshaft on the driver side.

 

Weird thing my truck is for the Canadian market and i don't have a block heater.... well in Quebec it's not in the law. I had a block heater on my last vehicule and i plugged it maybe 5-6 time in 10 year. Never had problem starting. I always charge the battery every weekend when the temperature drop under 0c. I do maybe 60-70 miles per week so i don't have a choice if i want my battery to last. In fact i bought a NOCO 10X on-board charger this summer and i'm waiting for 2 bracket to install it permanently near the brake cylinder and the fuse box. I bought the 120v waterproof plug and i will mount it hidden in the bumper to i just need to plug it and leave the hood closed. This will be used in the summer when camping when i need to charge the deep cycle battery.

 

Yeah that was just a hunch. Its likely not that exact part but it definitely seems related to the VVT. I don't hear mine from the outside either, so likely noting in the top end. I never happen to have someone in the vehicle when I hear it. It would be nice to have someone keep it in gear with the brake on while I crawl around underneath to see if it can be heard from there.

 

The block heater is a Toyota OEM option that plugs right in to our engines. I had to get in with a swivel handle ratchet to loosen bolts on a bracket that is in the way of simple insertion of the block heater, but it was a quick and simple job. They you route the cord as desired, and forget about it until you need it.

 

I will put that on my part list, i wanted to change my 2 vvt filter, i bought them but i didn't try it yet. The one near the alternator seem fun to do. When i have time and a heated place to work i will do the block heater at the same time.

 

It's been 2 week and the weird tapping sound i try to locate near the brake/gaz pedal didn't show up. But one afternoon i started the truck with my familiy in it, a sound showed up and my daugther said, dad the truck is purring. I said it seem the engine like to make noise and took off, the noise was gone 5 meter later. Still doing strong and start like a boss even @ 0F (-18c).

I have found the first video (bad cellphone sound quality) with the tap/knock sound yesterday, i was sure that i deleted it but it seem i backup my thing correctly hahaha. I will upload it later this week.

 

every 4.0 I have heard sounds like that " piston slap" video. They all make that noise. Look at all the comments on youtube.

 

Best solution is to move somewhere reasonable.

Temperatures below 40? Absolutely ridiculous. It's almost 2022 for goodness sakes.

 

-18c is cold but you can still work outside but the wind chill factor is a pain in the butt. I installed 2 bracket for my new rear shock last friday, a 35 min job usualy in the summer, it took 2 hours -11c but a wind chill of -22c (-8F). We have some period in the winter where the temperature drop to -34c (-29F) for days, this will be the ultimate cold start test, i never had problem.

 

I have started my truck several times below -15F, never once did it sound ok lol. I usually change my oil early if it is a hard winter, especially with a lot of shot trips in the cold, even with synthetic.

 

I uploaded the video on youtube, the cell phone sound quality is bad and youtube compression is worse but you can start hear it @ 0:22. When i put the cell phone under the dash it's mostly gone.

 

I live in a similar place. Used to occasionally get to -40 -45 20 years ago but things have changed…. My truck makes all sorts of miserable noises when it gets cold. I know it’s really cold when it has a whine like a supercharger…

No problems running full synth 5w-30.

 

There is a lot of good info here for sure. But, I have not seen any mention of the oil filter. What brand of oil filter are you using? I got rid of my loudest morning start ticking noise by switching to synthetic oil as well as using a high quality oil filter (Toyota OEM or K&N part # KN1002 in my case). I mention the oil filter because high quality filters have nice anti-drainback valves. Since the 1GR-FE engine has an upside-down filter it is very important that the oil in the filter does not drain out overnight. If oil drains out of the filter then the filter needs refilled with oil via the oil pump before the entire oil system is pressurized. The thicker the oil the longer pressurizing takes. The anti-drainback valve is something to consider.

 

I run mobile 1 or penzoil plat with an OEM filter. Still makes the noise. Mine does it warm and cold. Again I have heard TONS of these trucks make this noise plus plenty of 4 runners too. Even my 3rd gen work truck 3.5 makes the noise. There have been a ton of threads on this and tons of comments on the many you tube videos.

The noise is more noticeable in the cold because the RPMS are elevated on cold start.

Even when the truck is warm. Open the driver side door and rev the motor a few hundred RPMs. You will most likely hear it. glug glug glug.

 

I use the OEM

$55 90915-YZZD3 Oil Filter 1 Case (QTY 10)

90915-YZZD3 and i buy it directly from my Toyota dealer. I saw many review comparing other brand, the oem is cheap and perform very well.