squeeling noise from valves at cold start ups

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Deer_Slayer

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Dec 29, 2008
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Gentlemen,

I have an issue with my truck that I hope you can shed some light on. After the last oil change, right whe I started the truck for the first time and also every day when I first start up the truck in the mornings, I hear a high pitch low squeeling noise comming from top of the engine block, seems like from the valves. after a few seconds, something kicks in or kicks off and the noise goes away and it is quite and smooth again.
It is a 2008 Tacoma 4X4, 4cylinder. I put syntetic oil in it for the first time. this was only the 3rd oil change. I put in Valvoline SynPower 5W-30 and installed a Toyota oil filter. the truck calls out 5W-20, but I thought the 5W-30 would make it run quiter and provide better wear protection.
Any idea what is causing this low key squeeling noise? Is it something I need to be concernced about? what can I do to fix it?

your advise would be greatly appreciated.
 
First, make sure it's not the drivebelt squealing. Check the tension. If that's fine, then I'd say it sounds like a possible timing chain/hydraulic tensioner issue.

I'd put 5w-20 in there, as modern engines with hydraulic timing chain tensioners and hydraulic variable valve timing actuators are very sensitive to oil viscosity.
 
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It happened right after you changed your oil. That should tell you something.

Try changing the filter, there may be something wrong with the one you installed.

If that doesn't help, dump the 30W and stick in some 20W as spec'd for your engine.

I have an 06 Tacoma, same engine and have been using the Amsoil ASL 5W-30 with zero problems.

Open the hood and have someone look and listen when you start it, maybe you got a little oil on the belt that only squeals on startup?
 
Originally Posted By: Pablo
Are you 100% sure it's in the engine block?

Good God man. It's a 2008. Put the correct viscosity oil in the thing and take it to the dealer if the noise continues.


Take it easy, Pabs. He's asking for our help, doesn't need to be yelled at
55.gif
 
the sound is not like squeeling of belts, more like chatter of valves, as if they are not getting enough lubrication. Is it possible that 5W-30 oil, which is supposed to have the same viscosity at cold start up compared to 5W-20, is having trouble flowing quickly enought to the valves? Am I having dry start ups?
 
It's not the oil. That engine probably gets 20W50 down under, but besides that, even a 5W20 is like gear oil when it's cold outside. Going from a 20wt to a 30wt is not going to hurt your engine
smirk2.gif


I changed to 5W30 SynPower in my 5.4L F150(spec is 5W20) and it runs great.

Check/change your oil filter.
 
I did wonder about oil filter. but the thing is that it is Toyota oil filter and they are supposed to be good and also on 4 cylinder Tacomas, the oil filter is under the engine block and is facing up. that should prevent any oil from being drained out of the filter due to gravity even if the anti drain back valve not working. what do you guys think?
 
Belt, tensioner, pulley or an accessory would be my thoughts.
Have someone else start the car from cold and you carefully listen to the engine with the hood up. Noise location might give more clues. Could be a bad filter, ususally isn't.
 
Originally Posted By: hate2work
Originally Posted By: Pablo
Are you 100% sure it's in the engine block?

Good God man. It's a 2008. Put the correct viscosity oil in the thing and take it to the dealer if the noise continues.


Take it easy, Pabs. He's asking for our help, doesn't need to be yelled at
55.gif



OK sorry. Not yelling. Gently take it to the dealer, to at the very least get it on the record.
 
Pablo,
I will do exactly that if the problem was not something I did or can not be easily fixed by changing the oil and filter again. but I still need to understand what is going on with this engine, so I still need the insight from all you experienced guys out there who may have run into similar things and know something about it.
 
Originally Posted By: ChiTDI
Belt, tensioner, pulley or an accessory would be my thoughts.


^^2nd. Every car I`ve ever owned has done that when the temp outside gets below freezing.
 
Originally Posted By: Deer_Slayer
Pablo,
I will do exactly that if the problem was not something I did or can not be easily fixed by changing the oil and filter again. but I still need to understand what is going on with this engine, so I still need the insight from all you experienced guys out there who may have run into similar things and know something about it.


OK. Makes sense. Typically it is belt noise.

I have a low tech mechanic's stethoscope (looks like the doc's) - but this one has a small diameter rod on the end. Place it on items and listen. Homes right in on the offender.
 
I know the noise is comming from the top of the engine. of that I am sure. the sound is like whistling of metal to metal rub. So after listening to your comments and reading other threads, I think the oil is not getting to the valves right away, that is why I hear that whistling sound. Today after work I am going to get the right grade oil but still same brand ans synthetic and will replace either oil or filter only first and see if that makes the problem go away and if it continues it would eliminate that possibility and then change the other one. I bet that it is the thicker grade of oil (5W-30 instead of 5W-20) taking a little time to flow to the valves.
I will let you all know after my experiment what was the source of the noise.
 
Its a 2008 Toyota... You bought a toyota most likely thinking that it is the pinnacle of quality and reliability, thus the best value.

Given the cost and supposed superiority of the make, you should not be getting ANY noise, no matter what. Youre in Mississippi, not Alberta, so its not that col that squealing on a new vehicle should be the norm (as it might be if you started cold in -40 weather). If you used a toyota filter, there should not be any issue. A 5w-30 is more or less exactly the same viscosity-wise as a 5w-20 at ambient start-up.

I agree with Pablo - get it down on paper, log it and make it toyota's problem. You didnt buy such a vehicle to have issues.
 
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Originally Posted By: Deer_Slayer
I bet that it is the thicker grade of oil (5W-30 instead of 5W-20) taking a little time to flow to the valves.


I never thought I'd see the day that 5W30 was "thick".
smirk2.gif


Dude, unless it was 20W50 in a 5W30 bottle, it's not the oil.
Change your filter or have the dealer look at it.
 
I don't think actual valvetrain "squealing" would be audible. There are a lot of rotating and recripricating parts under the hood.
 
Originally Posted By: Deer_Slayer
I think the oil is not getting to the valves right away, that is why I hear that whistling sound.

That why you hear whistling sound. Every 2TR-FE do the same till oil reach the valves (~10-20sec). You can hear it for a longer period of time after new dry/empty filter installed and on every cold engine start when most of the oil drained down to the pan so no panic, this engine build like a tank and in your case functioning as designed.
 
If it is squealing from inside the engine, you have big problems.
External elts and pulleys squeal commonly.
Put in the correct oil and a factory filter as your best shot at this point.
And like mentioned, after you put the proper oil in, get it to a dealer to get this on record. Maybe there is a service bulletin for it.
 
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