2015 Noise when starting the engine

I think toyota would tell you piston slap, seems to be somewhat common on 15s.https://www.tacomaworld.com/posts/11138773/

 

Id be angry if my engine made that much noise.

 

Good one... I do have this noise too. I thought it was normal because I noticed it very early on. I will have to mention it when I go in next week for service. Thank You. Unfortunately that is definitely not the only noise. This noise happens at times when the a/c compressor comes on.
For those who think it is belt noise you may be correct but that would be one hell of a belt noise.
In my original post when I smelled the a/c I was walking around the front of the truck and the noise was so loud that it scared the sh*t out of me.

 

Got into the habit of never turning the ignition on, or turning it off, with the A/C running. Don't even remember why I started doing this. After reading this thread, I wonder if it makes any difference.

 

It's not belt noise it's not piston slap it's the dang a/c clutch engaging it sounds horrible I know nothing you can do about it though addicus24 has a fix don't start the stupid thing with the a/c on turn it on screamin down the pike you'll never hear that horrible noise again...

 

That's true. I have never heard the noise when I start the engine with the a/c off. That is a new habit I have.

 

I created a account just to get in on this thread. I have a 2015 DCSB that has made the a/c noise the day I brought it home. I have owned the truck for 2 years now. As soon as the compressor kicks on it makes a loud but short grinding noise. And it is a grinding noise that sounds terrible. It makes it when the truck has been sitting for a while and especially when my truck has been sitting at work all day in the hot Arizona sun. The hotter it is and the longer it sits the louder the noise is. I have taken it in to two dealers and both have said it's normal. They have both given me some explanation of the freon sitting in the line for a while especially when its hot kinda turning to a liquid or oil of some sorts and when the compressor kicks on it sucks that stuff up first. I can't explain it like them because I'm not a mechanic so sorry and I'm sure ill get killed on this website for it. Its hard to replicate it since the truck has to spend the night at the dealer or sit there all day. I have learned to avoid the sound by turning off the ac before shut off and also waiting a few minutes after start up to turn on the ac. I also run the ac often even if i don't need it to keep things circulating. Its stupid because we shouldn't be dealing with this on brand-new trucks. I have a co worker that has a 2015 that makes the same noise but it doesn't bother him. I also know someone who has a 2010 that still makes the noise every so often and his ac is fine. I have learned to live with it and avoid it but when I first got the truck I was obsessed with trying to fix it. Also, if you search this issue there are quite a few other forums taking about the same issue so I guess we have to live with "normal".

 

O by the way first things first my new friend thank you for you service as a combat vet and yes you are indeed informed correctly by the men with the toyo shirts on I have been a wrench cranker and duly certified by the blessed EPA refrigeration tech now for 30 plus skint knuckle years working on cars to machines big enough to eat our trucks and poop em out so the noise however annoying is quite normal. Piston slap yoi man if your pistons are slapping that bad they're gonna be layin on the road by the end of the day.
God bless and thanks again for your service

 

Well first of all.... Welcome. I am glad that you have joined and hope you benefit from everyones input, cool stuff, and good people in this forum.

I have already been told by several members that it is a normal condition that is occurring but that does not mean I like it. I still LOVE the truck and won't let it ruin my experience with it. Minor inconvenience at the most.

Saying that I hope my experience at the dealership is different. I am a "mechanic" for a different manufacturer. I know that this would never fly if a customer brought their vehicle to me with this concern. I also know that if the a/c system was designed in such a way that this noise is normal for what ever reason that replacing every part in the a/c system will result in the same noise. If Toyota decides not to address this problem then there is absolutely no reason for fighting it.

 

Dynosports my son owns a 2015 Chrysler 200 And it does the same thing he also had a 2010 200 that also did the same thing what brand do you yank wrenches for and if indeed the things have a low mounted compressor they will make noise I can assure you of this ford tried to alleviate this noise with a sort of rubber inlaid clutch but they just blew their nuts all over the place and failed.....I've seen several GM units do the same old Cavs Grand Prix and on and on this ain't a new phenomenon my friend.

 

Welderman I appreciate your time and expertise. I do believe you.

I work on BMW's for a living. I know that if this kind of noise was happening on any of our cars there would be a fix in a Service Bulletin or maybe a recall to fix them all.

I know the next comment is going to be well this is Not a BMW.

I have owned 2 Chevy's, 1 Dodge, 1 Nissan, 2 Mazda's, 4 Toyota's, and 3 BMW's and have never heard such a noise.

This is exactly why I posted. To learn something new!

 

Not trying to insult my friend there is ways around this noise I'm sure engineers with many more degrees of knowledge than me have already addressed this that why you probably don't have issues with beamers all a company needs to do is delay a/c engagement until the engine end its initial flare up and stabilizes the rpm whala no noise some have it and some don't .. Happy wrenching

 

Do to the replies to my original post I decided to do a little diagnosis of my own before I brought it in for service because I have the equipment at work to do so. I performed an evacuation of the a/c system finding that the system was completely full.
This to me confirmed what was said in this thread. I then took it in for scheduled service and asked a shop foreman about what I have experienced. He told me he had heard of any issues.
So now I rely on my extended warranty to take care of any issues that come up in the future.
So Thank you to all who let me know this was a normal condition with the Tacoma's.

 

OP, is this noise still continuing? I have a split second grinding noise from my AC after turning it on. It only occurs after the vehicle has sat for about 4-8 days, and then turn the AC on after warming up the engine. This is a new 4Runner, has only happened twice, but don't really want any issues on a new truck! Thanks for any help.

 

Yes I have heard the noise every once in a while although not nearly as loud as when the truck was new. The truck is now out of factory warranty and I have had no other problems with the a/c. I am convinced now that this is a design issue that has been mentioned in previous posts. I have purchased additional warranty coverage so I am no longer worried about this issue. Enjoy your new 4Runner!

 

It's fairly easy and cheap to acquire a manifold gauge set and vacuum pump and diagnose your AC. There is plenty of information on how to read manifold gauges as it's very easy to understand psi and how it affects your hi/low side.

I personally have the mountain R134a manifold gauge set, nice couplers and it's solid brass.

MOUNTAIN 8205 R-134a Brass Manifold Gauge Set with Couplers

https://www.amazon.com/Mountain-8205-R-134a-Manifold-Couplers/dp/B000JFHNG0

Here is the video that helped me in the past. I had to swap out a AC line and AC pressure switch in my GTI a while back and it saved me about $300 by doing it myself.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rulXlnG2Unk

 

Ok, thank you for your insight! It could just be an odd design issue, but I'll keep an ear out in case it gets worse. I love this 4Runner, it is a blast to drive!

 

Can you explain why this happens in newer vehicles? I can see in older ones, but my 2017 4Runner does it after sitting for days but not my 10 year old car!?! I really want to understand, not being smart or anything. Curious minds want to know. Thanks!

 

Dirty
Sorry it has taken so long for a reply a/c systems have changed dramatically over the last 10 to 15 years it all depends on what type of system you have on your 10 year old car it's very possible it has a large aluminum accumulator where most of the oil hangs out most newer systems don't have this big reservoir for settling oil so it has to settle in the lowest part of the system which is the compressor and when the clutch is engaged it comes upon the resistance of the heavy oil and therefore the clanking clunky noise.
Hope that helps

 

Ah, cool, thanks.