Alternator? Tranny? WTF IS IT

HardTaco

HardTaco

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2005
Location
Durham
2000 Tacoma 4x4, 2.7 auto tranny, 100k miles. Got a bad whirring/whining noise that is barely noticeable at idle, but increases with RPM(until it gets extremely loud at 3000 RPM). I know its not the PS pump.....had plenty of those go bad and know what that sounds like. It sounds like its coming from the alternator area or the back of the motor near the firewall. It does not matter whether it is in neutral/drive/reverse....whatever. Just started the other day and I hav'nt had time to start pulling belts yet trying to locate it for sure. I've heard that alternators will do this when the bearings start getting shot, but this one is only 50 or 60k old (been through 2, this is the 3rd). Also heard it could be the torque converter?(checked the fluid and the level is fine, and bright red in color) Im stumped, and won't have time to start digging into the truck until this weekend. Just figured I would throw this out and see if anyone had an suggs/comments/opinions/etc.

Josh

P.S.-just installed a header last week, but this is definitely not an exhaust leak......
 
I would check the alternator first that is what it sounds like to me. Even though you have been through a couple of them there still might be somthing going on with it. Since you have been through a couple of them I would check with toyota to see if there was any kind of recall or if they have had other problems with it. There might be somthing else going on that is making your alternators go bad like that so often. Just my opinion on the matter.
 
Yo,
Get you a long screwdriver and use it to probe around for the noise. Being careful, you can listen to alternator front bearing by placing tip close to bearing on the case. Also, if the transmission filter has not been changed, that would be worth doing now. You could have a starving front pump in the transmission if the filter is severely restricted. My 2000 has a pan plug which is good/bad. Bad because the pan is likely not dropped, to check the filter, when draining/refilling transmission. However, red fluid indicates you may not find a issue with the filter UNLESS its loose!

My $0.02 :beer:
 
Pop the serp belt off and start the engine.. that will isolate it quickly.

If you let josh poke around with a screwdriver on a running engine, he'll either short out something, send it through the radiator, or impale it into himself. :flipoff2:
 
I've heard some timing chain noise on the 2.7's too. Like Rich says, drop the belt off, noise gone, there ya go. If the noise persists, check the tranny filter and if thats cool, time for a look inside. I've run into a couple of the 2.7's that are louder than that old 2.6 mitsu engine in the chain area. Full set of rails, tensioners and chain fixed 'em. Might want to drop the pan too, restricted oil pump pickups from plactic debris will cause on hell of a whine as well.
 
Cleaned out the screen/filter for the auto tranny a few months back. Hopefully it will just be an alternator. The other two I had went bad just because of the location they were in, catching all kinds of mud/sand/water when I used to do more muddy wheeling. They never made any noise though, just crapped out. I gotta drop the oil pan soon anyway and reseal it so I will check out the pickup when Im in there.

Thanks
Josh
 
just dump the 2.7 and the auto and get a real drivetrain... i know where there's a 302 sitting that needs a home :fuck-you:



*ducks and runs for cover* :D
 
Ratman said:
Dibs on the 2.7 and harness. :lol:
Click to expand...

At least someone knows a nice piece of work when they see one. I love my 3rz.....sometimes to much.

Back on topic, the noise quit for about 10 mins today, then started right back up. I'm banking with alternator........we will see this weekend. Thanks for the ideas though guys.

Josh
 
It was the a/c idler pulley........never saw that one coming. It had made some noises before, but nothing like this. Went to durham tonight to do a brake job on the taco and on the way back i caught a nice wiff of burning rubber, heard a squeal, then it quit (the squeaking) altogether. Pulled over to see my a/c belt MIA. Luckily the compressor was still spinning freely but the idler pully was hotter than hell and wasn't budging. Glad it was that instead of something expensive. I may be 50 bucks into a new idler pulley and belt.........what a relief!


Thanks for all the help though guys!

Josh
 
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