Toyota Sienna (1MZ-FE) Valve Noise?

[kschachn]

My 1999 Sienna with 146,000 miles on it has always had a problem with what I am thinking is valve train noise. You can make it happen by being on the highway for a while and then pulling off on an exit. Everytime after that for a while when you accelerate, it sounds like a lot of valve ticking going on. Eventually it stops but then happens again at the next exit.

The noise gets louder as the engine accelerates but stops briefly when the transmission shifts. Then it starts again as the revs go up.

I use M1 5W-30 and an M1 filter (I always have since new). Does anyone have any suggestions as to what this might be?

 

[Amkeer]

You get your tradeoffs with synthetics and this is one of them. Nothing to worry about. Just know your vehicle is being well maintained using the M1. You can dampen the noise sometimes by mixing in some 15w50. Just experiment to find the right formula or ignore it.

Daily Drives:
-2003 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner,2.7 liter, 4 cylinder, Mobil1 5w30 ODO 25300
-1995 Toyota 4-Runner,3.0 liter,6 cylinder, Mobil1 5w40 tsuv ODO 103800
http://community.webshots.com/user/amkeer

 

[ARB1977]

With 146K your now starting to worry about valve noise? Im assuming its been doing this since you used moble one. Leave the moble one in and enjoy another 146K. Im heading towards that way when my amsoil series 3k is up.

 

[kschachn]

-- With 146K your now starting to worry about valve noise? --

Heh, yeah you are probably right. It is just that normally I don't drive this car much (my wife does) and when I had a reason to drive it for a few days last week it seemed louder than before.

One thing someone suggested was to try an OEM filter and I might do that. See if it makes any difference.

 

[Alan]

Perhaps it needs valve adjustment.

 

[m2200b]

I like Valvoline VSOT for moly and a little thicker for valve train noise. Yours sounds like wear or adjustment not filter. Filters show up at startup noise.

 

[Winston]

Put in some thicker oil. Try some GC or M1 5W40.

 

[BatmanLS1]

I switched to M1 10w-30 from M1 0w-40 and have noticed the same condition as originally stated here...except in my GM 3800 V6. I guess I will try adding something to thicken it up as well.

 

[JohnBrowning]

M1 0W40 is not much thicker then most 10W30's. Try mixing 50/50 M1 15W50 and M1 10W30 or M1 TSUV 5W40 straight.