Need Expert Mechanical Ear, Engine Noise

Hello all. This is a post I was hoping I didn’t have to make. Wanted the problem to resolve itself as easily as it showed up.

I’m posting 2 videos of engine noise that started about 2 weeks ago. I’ve had the truck for 2 1/2 years bought new. New heard this before.

The video site is not a commercial site. I created it tonight to post these videos

For 2 weeks I have been reading this forum, Tundra forums, Toyota forums.

All kinds of ideas but no specific resolution. I am aware of the Tacoma tick and the self cleaning injectors. This noise is neither. It’s brand new.

Can you all give it a listen and give me some feedback? Much appreciated. It sounds like it in the cab and coming through the tachometer.

The video of the inside has some noise of me knocking the camera and my hand sliding across the steering wheel. Please ignore that.

Thank you all!
https://youtu.be/ep0XRRjitqc

https://youtu.be/5AYY3xQnPOg

 

Sounds like my '17 . You still have the warranty . Bring it in and let us know.
Edit
That noise inside the cab though reminds me of one i had. Brought it in and it was the rubber dust guard on the steering column ( forgot what its called )that came loose due to drying up. They replaced it and its better . Every now and then I spray it with silicone spray and push it down and its quiet again.
Edit#2
I think its called steering shaft seal. It broke and it let in noise from the engine into the cab .

 

Thank you for the reply. I think you’re on to something. I always felt it wasn’t an engine issue. But rather a “leak” of sound coming through.

I did take it to the dealer and they said, “The noise is normal.” Told me it was the vacuum pump.

I think your suggestion fits. I am gonna look all over the steering shaft and firewall.

Thank you.

 

@Jack emerson attached is a screenshot from Toyota owners of what they did to fix this. Ended up just having them replace it . Its been good so far

 

Not sure on the noise but I know for sure it's not the vacuum pump since you don't have one. Assuming you have an OR like listed...

 

Sounds normal to me except for the engine shaking like its got the dt's. I get similar noises from my 2020 engine, but never saw it shaking like that one. Its very smooth to the point i sometimes think it stalled when at a traffic light.

 

The shaking was probably me holding the camera. I’m not real steady.

 

There’s no vacuum pump on a 2020 TRD Off-Road? That means my Toyota dealer lied to me. That’s not a confidence builder.

 

Toyota Tacoma Cummins edition. Sounds pretty normal from what I can hear. If there is a new noise, you should take it to the dealer. Just don't let them charge you a diag fee.

 

Bulalo, You are hitting it out of the ball park! I took your first recommendation that it was noise coming in from the steering shaft. So I stuck a small towel in the plastic covering/housing leading into the floorboard/firewall.

Sure enough the clack-clack sound in the cab disappeared. Truck sounded great. Noise gone.

But my solution was a temporary solution only to locate the problem. Your post that I quoted about gives me the information how to properly fix this noise issue.

Thank you so much for taking the time to help me. I would have never have considered the steering column being the problem.

Here’s a pic of me stuffing a towel into the steering housing that goes to the floorboard/firewall that deadened the sound. In fact, the truck is quieter than before.

Again thank you. Now I know how to properly fix this issue.

Makes me wonder how many other Tacoma owners suffer from this excessive sound issue and learned to accept it. I was ready to accept it…

 

Just got lucky toyota of redlands has excellent tech trouble shooter. Glad it worked out for you .
That towel trick is good too.
I think its more widespread than we think. Most owners just accept it .
I also think its widespread issue and most will just accept it as normal .

 

@Jack Brewer . U can also remove the plastic cover (held in place by 4plastic white nuts.turn to loosen push in to tighten) with your finger push down the rubber back in place Apply silicone greasevon the shaft for lubrication so the rubber won't bind and slide up and be out of place when turning the steering wheel.
Edit spray silicone grease first then push down the rubber with your finger .

 

I’ll try that. I don’t like my fix with a towel. It was temporary.

So that plastic cover goes down further into the floorboard/firewall?

Thanks!

 

Yup. Held down by 4 white plastic . Unscrew to remove push down to install

 

I took the truck to the dealership for the second time. Since you helped be locate the area of the noise being the steering column near the firewall I was able to get their attention much better.

Service tech checked it and found that the “shaft bushing is torn and cracked.”

It’s a round thing that has now slid down the intermediate shaft.

They are going to replace the “Cover Sub-Assembly.” The part has to be ordered. Part #45025-04050.

Here is a picture of the shaft hushing cover that has separated from the main assembly.

Again thanks!

 

Wow. Yours really is torn probably due to binding and lack of grease/lubricant. I’m spraying mine with silicone grease every other oil change to prevent it from happening again. That’s an expensive repair there if out of warranty.
Just wondering if this is more common because most Toyota dealership tech just dismiss it as normal. Just got lucky Toyota of Redlands has good tech. Anyway happy to be of help

 

What and where are you spraying silicone? Inside the cabin along the steering shaft at the firewall or under the hood at the steering shaft and firewall?

I’ll be doing that too. The repair is expensive and I’m 6,000 miles past warranty.

 

That sounds like my 2016 tacoma and my brothers bmw from under the hood, both have direct injection.

 

The shaft from the inside it drips/creeps down toward the rubber so itcwill be slippery and not bond the shaftc we when turning . Took out the blacj plastic . Ot was an expensive repair for me as well but was worth it .

 

I called Toyota corporate and discussed the issue of my steering column assembly breaking. Even though I am about 5K miles out of warranty they agreed to cover all the costs, about $700 dollars.

Told them this is an “inherent defect” and not a wear and tear issue nor a lack of maintenance issue. It’s a part that should be good for the life of the truck and an owner shouldn’t even have to know what it is.

They were gracious and called the dealership and told them not to charge me. Fix it for free. Toyota corporate is picking up the tab.

Hats off to Toyota Corporate! Thank you!