Troubleshooting a New Noise

Hey gang,

I did my due diligence trying to track down this problem in the forums already, but I'm open to having missed something if there's already a thread on this.

If you're interested in playing the "my car is making this sound but only when i push the eject button on the cd player while driving south in March" game, read on.

2014 access cab, 4wd 2.7L motor with a stick shift.

About a week ago I'm driving home from town and start to hear a tick or a squeak or a combo of the two, mess around with it, seems to only pop up at around 3k rpm and higher, regardless of what gear I'm in, maybe louder under load, like going uphill. However it won't make the noise in neutral, even when I rev it to just shy of the red line. I get it home, do some googling and research on here and it seems to me that it miiiiight be a u-joint issue, so I check them and grease them up. Take the truck out for a rip around and can't duplicate the noise.

Now a week later, and not much driving since then, I do the long haul back into town and after about an hour the sound starts again. Do what I need to in town, take it easy on the drive home keeping it below 3k rpm as much as I can.

I'm wondering if its a temperature thing since its been getting hot down at lower elevations, but I have trouble duplicating it up here at 6.5k feet, or if its a time thing like after the engine has run so long, it pops up. In my mind, its related to part of the drive train since its only when the truck is in gear, but I'm far from an expert. Could it be something with the exhaust system, maybe?

Any ideas would be appreciated. I know this is vague but it pops up under such specific circumstances. Like I said, its some kinda squeak/tick, I might try and record it but since it only happens when the truck is moving, its tough to capture or even hear clearly.

Thanks a ton, everyone

 

Since it’s in a certain rpm, I’d look at the engine. If you think it’s time for a new belt, order one. After removing the old one give every pulley a spin, one might squeak, feel notchy or wobbly.

Mine was making a wewewe noise but only 30 seconds after starting it after sitting overnight, then it would go away after 3 minutes or so. Once the new belt was in the noise never came back.

Also look for something loose. A loose part can squeak.

 

My o6 Tacoma V-6 still sounds like a cross between a washing machine and a popcorn air popper.....only when I listen!

 

Update: I revved it up in neutral again, and was able to get the sound, so now I'm gonna go do some diagnosis on the belt and pulleys

 

Update to the Update: finally got the time and took it to the dealership, it made the noise on the way down, but the techs couldn't duplicate it, even went for a test drive with them.

They recommend I keep driving it and seeing if it gets worse, mentioned something about a bearing in the front diff thats a rare but known issue, and that if it starts again to see if being in 4wd causes any changes.

I'm a bit frustrated, a bit comforted that its not anything immediately hazardous, but mostly stumped. If the more local mechanics get some open time I might try and work with them.

 

Intermittent problems are tricky. I worked on one, I was the 4th one to try to solve it. It would intermittently stall, and not want to start. Found a ground wire from the main harness where it attaches to the frame. The hole had painted blast media in it. So the ground wire would sometimes disconnect.

In your case, you might need to find a shop with a dyno, so they can run it while looking for the noise source.