Weird Tacoma Noise

Hey beautiful people, I'd like to start by saying I am not a technical person when it comes to vehicle, I tinkle a bit, but I am by no means an expert.

Short story long, I have a 2011 Tacoma with a manual 6 speed transmission, within the last few months it has started this whirring, almost sounds like an RC car. It immediately shows up when I start the car, and gets louder as I am shifting through gears.

I was first told it was a low steering fluid sound, this turned out to be incorrect. But now I am told it may be an alternator, or a bearing pulley.

I have uploaded a few audio clips to Google Drive (this forum does not support audio file uploads). The clips are from startup, running through the gears until 5th. Hoping someone will be able to point me in the right direction.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1SQPLJTmLun-ux3BxzXioZdaY2ZME2s2M?usp=sharing

Cheers!

 

Could be a multide of things honestly.

How is your maintenance log?

 

take the belt off and see if the noise stops, if so, you've narrowed it down...

 

My apologies for the delay in getting back to you guys.

I was able to find all the maintenance reports for this truck, looks like only routine maintenance was done on it. I have not found anything that states larger parts were ever worked on.

Can I remove the belts and run the engine without causing issues? Sorry for asking, I am not car smart so I don't want to break anything.

 

you can for a minute or two to see if the noise stops without issue

 

We all tinkle a bit from time to time, but I think you mean "tinker".

I'm sorry, I have nothing further to add, just try to isolate stuff like the other guys said. I would try listening in the engine bay to see which area the sound is coming from, just don't lose your fingers to the radiator fan or belts.

 

that is hilarious! Good catch