I'm not sure what is wrong

Hey guys, I bought a 2009 tacoma a few weeks ago with 180k miles on it. It is running smoothly for the most part, and I am really enjoying it. There is one issue though that I have encountered recently. Whenever I accelerate (not at any super high torque or anything) I hear a rattle in the front of the truck. There have also been occasions where it feels like I have somewhat lost power after turning into an intersection. Is this a power steering pump issue? Cat converter issue? any ideas?

Thanks!

 

Is it in 4wd? Have to ask.

 

@Steadfast no, it is RWD

 

Is it knocking?

 

don't think so

 

99% sure it isn't, but I don't know a whole lot yet abt trucks tbh

 

wheel bearing?

 

Lack of power on an older vehicle can be anything. Start simple and basic:

Can of injector cleaner.
Clean MAF
Clean/new Air Filter
Clean throttle body
Check the spark plugs

 

CEL on? Done a code scan?

 

engine light is not on, and loss of power has only been for a few seconds after turning into an intersection and has only happened a couple times. As for the rattling, it just happens after about one second of pressing on the gas, and lasts about 2 seconds and then acceleration sounds normal. in general there is no lack of power, only seems to have cut a couple times.

 

I'll try to upload a video later so you can hear it.

 

https://youtu.be/wX7HryKPeMc here it is in park, and there is no rattling when I depress the accelerator pedal. I think it only happens while moving. I will try to send another video later while driving.

 

That engine sounds good to me. Can’t be the engine. Exhaust shield perhaps? Sometimes there has to be just the frequency for those to vibrate and then they go away after it’s past that frequency. Does it only do it at a certain RPM or is it speed?

 

shake the driveline by hand, prob carrier bearing.

 

I think I hear the roller thing (name escapes me now) for the serpentine belt.

IDLER pulley

 

Tensioner pulley also

 

this. listen to this guy. I think that is what I hear.

 

Sorry. I disagree on the tensioner pulley. Reason: The tensioner pulley would consistently make noise with varying pitch depending on engine speed.

At 180K, has the truck had basic maintenance? I wouldn't leap to any conclusions about the problem without diagnosis.

A "rattle" could be almost anything. My '06 had several rattles, one was the radiator mount bolts were missing, 2 others were loose heat shields. Sometimes rattles need to be hunted.

Meanwhile, I suggest to run the High Mileage maintenance schedule and hunt rattles.

 

Loss of power can suck. I'd start with the basic stuff, check if theres stored error codes with an obd reader. Pull the spark plugs, be prepared to be shocked how huge a gap there can be and still start and run. Clean the maf sensor & throttle body. Search for instructions for cleaning, use the recommended crc maf sensor cleaner, BE CAREFUL, a new sensor isn't cheap and they're easily damaged.

I'm willing to bet it's your plugs. It might be a really bad belt tensioner.

 

https://youtu.be/Y-wIqfr70x4
https://youtu.be/6nnO_mrYajc

here's two more videos. The second one you have to listen really closely and you can hear it rattle a little once. I was having a hard time getting it to replicate the sound much.

first video is just a moderate acceleration so you can listen to the engine in general.