ENGINE KNOCK / REAR END WHINE

[trucksaledave]

2007 TUNDRA 5.7....Since new the engine at times sounds just like a engine running out of oil......that sound like the lifters are not pumped up with oil, but it comes out the bottom of the engine.....I have actually stopped at a red light and cut the truck off and checked the oil......FULL.....It rattles mostly when i come to a stop.......has a cold start up knock every morning .....Rear end whines when it warms up at 65 mph.......This is my 11th toyota and I guess it is my turn for a LEMON.......This engine problem appears to be a commom problem on other forums......Have taken it in 4 times to 2 different dealers and they all read from the same script.....normal operation.......wow......Shame on me for wanting a $30000 pick up that does not rattle or whine......Love the basic truck except the 5.7 and rear end.....Is there a engine recall in our near future??????Swaping certified letters between dealer and corporate at this time.......ALL I WANT IS A WHAT I AM PAYING FOR TO BE RIGHT........trucksaledave

[mike k]

I'm not done yet:

9. A couple of weeks ago here in the winter when it eventually warmed up in the lower 50's, I have noticed ONLY in the defroster setting and A/C setting, NOT with just the air vents going, a very stinky odor going thru the defroster area and heat ducts with A/C or defrost on enough to almost want to jump out of the truck to escape the foul smelling odor. The odor of something I have never smelled before smells like burning oil or rubber or ???? and it immediately after about 3-4 seconds goes away as soon as the A/C or defroster is shut off. It has come and gone 3 times now in the past 2 weeks and hopefully never reappears because I cannot figure this one out at all and neither can the dealer. They said maybe it is scented windshield wiper fluid getting into the heat ducts and creating a foul odor, but why I asked does it smell ONLY in the A/C or defroster setting. It has to be related to the compressor/condensor of the A/C unit which runs not only on A/C but defrost as well, but the dealer says nothing is wrong with that sealed unit.

10. DO NOT inflate your rear tires to the recommended 36 psi or above thinking you will save on gas. Actually, at 36-40 psi, the rear tires wear prematurely in the middle vs. the outside edges being like new. I attribute this to the higher horsepower engine spinning the rear wheels easier and gripping harder along with a very light box with heavy bouncing action causing the tires to slip, not grip as much. 30-32 psi is the maximum on rear tire pressure I would use to decrease signifcantly middle rear tire wear and help the back end from bouncing as much for a somewhat less bouncy ride.

That is all I have to say - overall a very nice truck don't you think???????????????????????

[Greg]

I have a 2007 SR5 with the TRD package that has the same engine noise. I have been asked if it is a diesel engine. When I start it in the morning there is a "burnt" smell from the exhaust. I have been saying that "it is a Toyota and they know what they are doing." I guess only time will tell. I have had both bumpers replaced due to rust---no big deal. Now it is in the shop with some sort of mechanical problem. When I am driving down the road and start to come to a complete stop----at about 25mph I hear a "womp, womp, womp sound" and feel something strange in the wheel. The service manager took it for a drive with me in the truck. He heard and felt it too. He was rather quiet for the rest of the drive. This is my 5th toyota and not the last. I traded a 4runner with the 4.7 V8 and plan to go back when the warranty runs out. Any thoughts on my latest problem?

[mike k]

Oh yah I almost forgot,

#11. My front and rear metal chromed bumpers are starting to rust in spots after only 20K and I wax my vehicles spotless twice per year and wash regularly, especially here in WI getting the salt off in the winter. Maybe I should show the dealer the rust spots and ask them to replace the bumpers. Greg, how did you go about asking the dealer to replace both bumpers due to rust spots since I am pretty sure rust is not covered under warranty as long as it is not rusting thru? let me know.

[Greg]

I actually bought the truck in Madison and had it serviced in Janesville. They just knew me well enough and ordered new replacements. They told me that the supply company did not do a good enough job plating the chrome.

[mike k]

Great news, I will be going to Hesser Toyota in the next few weeks in Janesville and showing them my rusted spots on the rear bumper and the front bumper around the round fog lights are really bad. How many miles and months did you get your Tundra bumpers replaced at Hesser and what year is your Tundra? I am curious because I now even with over 1 year left on my warranty, the chromed bumpers are going to get a lot worse. Please let me know - thanks.
As far as your noise when braking, my guess is the brakes or rotors are bad which is really odd. -
keep in touch.

[Greg]

Mike,
I had about 5,000 miles for the rear bumper and 10,000 on the front one. When they replaced the rear bumper I had them undercoat the inside. It cost me a little bit, but not too much. I think the noise is coming from the 4x4 differential or hubs???? I only have 16k miles on the truck and it is a 2007 model. I will keep it until the warranty runs out or if they will trade me even up for a 4runner with the V8. I had high hopes for this truck, but maybe I am too picky. When it is cleaned up it looks awesome. Hopefully the dealer will find and fix the problem. I would love to keep this truck a long time.

[mike k]

Best of luck. I doubt with 20K and the 2nd winter of driving, the dealer will replaced both of my bumpers under warranty. I actually noticed both rusting after only 1 year and about 12K last winter, but did not do anything about it and scrubbed and scrubbed and put 2-3 hard coats of wax to almost eliminate the surface rust, but the spots are coming back pretty good again this winter. I had Chevy trucks for years with not this much spot rust on the chromed bumpers. Yet again another flaw in manufacturing from Toyota. By the way, I have an 07 RAV4 V6 engine that just recently at 24K the water pump was leaking and 3 days after that was fixed, a couple engine oil seals below the water pump and above the oil pan were replaced under warranty dripping about a one foot section of oil onto my concrete garage floor. Coincidence that the water pump directly above was replaced only 3 days prior to the oil leak - I think not! The dealer replacing the water pump must have screwed it up is my guess. I tell you what, I hate to say it, but if Toyota quality is slipping this much, I will be forced to go back to Chevy trucks. I will be calling Hesser tomorrow to see if they have replaced under warranty both chromed bumpers due to surface rust. They will probably tell me that since the truck is almost 2 years old and thru 2 winters, that is too be expected and I do not wax my vehicle enough. That might be the nail in the coffin to scrap my Toyotas. I love the power and brakes, but enough is enough! Thanks.

[TXTee]

Sorry to hear of your bad experiences Mike. Let's hope customer service at the dealer can at least make some of the things right without too much hassle from you. Keep everyone posted on how things go. I think it's hit or miss - some people tend to have many more issues than others. I personally haven't had any problems with my rig. I'm not sure how much the weather conditions affect yours either but I'd still want a solid truck no matter where I took it. Better luck!

[Greg]

I recieved the news today from the Toyota dealer about my strange noise when slowing down. The front differential is shot and needs to be replaced. They are also going to replace my dashboard due to the rattle and squeak. I still don't get anywhere with them about the engine noise. At least they are going to give me a rental car for the time the truck is in the shop. I hope that they fix any new problems before I run out of warranty. I still like it and hope to keep it in my garage for a long time.

[trucksaledave]

With all these problems before the 36k and 60k warrenty goes out...... WHAT is everyone going to do when the real problems surface after 60K. ie... engine knocking......trans shifting problems.......rear end whining...........Please don't get me wrong after 11 other good and great Toyotas this owner has a real TURD...I mean TRD in the garage now......SITTING next to a great 2000 4-runner........trucksaledave

[Jeremy Breaux]

Did anyone get the licence plate of the idiot who just did a drive by fruiting? I feel a lot fruitier after that last comment.

The only rear end whine I hear is yours, dave.

[trucksaledave]

Jeremy, Fruit??? Whine? Grown ups are trying to stay informed on the real problems of owning a Tundra.....Not all Toyota's have problems like the current 2007+ Tundras..... except maybe yours....If you address me again......please be informed, educated and stick to the subject matter......trucksaledave