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VVT-i rattle only when cold

Discussion in '2nd Gen Tundras (2007-2013)' started by OldHilux, Oct 15, 2021.

  1. Oct 15, 2021 at 4:15 AM
    #1
    OldHilux

    OldHilux [OP] New Member

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    I have what really sounds like the dreaded VVT-i rattle on my 2012 tundra. But it only happens for about 5-10 minutes when the engine is warming up.

    Any ideas? I'm stumped.
     
  2. Oct 15, 2021 at 4:33 AM
    #2
    OldHilux

    OldHilux [OP] New Member

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    Well....

    I don't know. I bought this truck in July from a not Toyota (Ford) dealer that changed the engine oil as part of the pre-sale service. It's only been 2k miles since then so I haven't changed the oil yet. I'm thinking of putting in some proper Mobil1 0w-20 and seeing if that fixes anything
     
    Last edited: Oct 15, 2021
  3. Oct 15, 2021 at 5:09 AM
    #3
    jbrnigan

    jbrnigan New Member

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    I have run 5w30 synthetic since the truck was new - every oil and filter change done at the dealer. No VVT-i rattle. I didn't even know that the oil spec was "not" 5w30 until joining this forum.
     
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  4. Oct 15, 2021 at 5:16 AM
    #4
    OldHilux

    OldHilux [OP] New Member

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    It could be 10w30 in there for all I know.

    If you were a random Ford dealer, what oil would you put in a Toyota?
     
  5. Oct 15, 2021 at 5:24 AM
    #5
    OldHilux

    OldHilux [OP] New Member

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    Okay, so I'm kind of back to square 1. I would think that if a chain tensioner is bad, it's bad all the time cold or warm. It can't be because the oil is too thin as the link above suggests or it works get worse as the engine warms up and the oil thins out

    Is this just the early stages of the timing chain tensioner going bad?
     
  6. Oct 15, 2021 at 5:42 AM
    #6
    OldHilux

    OldHilux [OP] New Member

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    This definitely isn't that kind of timing chain rattle. It's much more of a VVT-i rattle
     
  7. Oct 15, 2021 at 5:49 AM
    #7
    Mike59

    Mike59 Kentucky Traveller

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  8. Oct 15, 2021 at 6:14 AM
    #8
    timsp8

    timsp8 Former Tundra owner for 13 years

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    I had the rattle in my 2010 for years and didn’t have any issues other than some noise at idle. I think a lot of these trucks have it. Before you throw money at it, consider just driving it until it shows signs of something else. Maybe just change the oil if you feel like it because the ford dealer probably just put whatever they keep in bulk in it.
     
  9. Oct 15, 2021 at 6:49 AM
    #9
    THinTX

    THinTX New Member

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  10. Oct 15, 2021 at 7:00 AM
    #10
    audiowize

    audiowize New Member

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  11. Oct 21, 2021 at 1:58 PM
    #11
    NueveTundra

    NueveTundra Mod list in Bio

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    does the rattle increase with rpm while cold?
    I would hunt around and locate exactly were the noise is coming
     
  12. Oct 21, 2021 at 7:14 PM
    #12
    baraynavab

    baraynavab Toyo Junkie

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    I am having the same issue only at startup mostly in colder days of fall and only for like a minute or 2 before it goes away. Also this only happens sometimes. I am running 5w-20 though. Next time i'll try 0w-20 and see if that fixes the issue.

    Is that what you recommend? run 0w-20 instead?
     
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  13. Oct 21, 2021 at 7:39 PM
    #13
    COTundie

    COTundie Whoa Black Betty

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    Pretty sure it's what Toyota recommends. So I stick with 0w20
     
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  14. Oct 23, 2021 at 3:27 AM
    #14
    TundraTinker

    TundraTinker New Member

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    I had the same issue. I tried all diffferent weights of oils...however, the only fix was changing out the jacked up chain tensioner on the drivers side of the vehicle. Lots of fun, lots of learning on doing this yourself. However, this fixed the issue for myself. Had the sweet chain rattle only on start up, for a couple of minutes, then would go away as the oil warmed up. Check out my thread. I almost killed my truck doing this myself! :D
     
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  15. Nov 1, 2021 at 6:00 PM
    #15
    OldHilux

    OldHilux [OP] New Member

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    This problem is officially the chain tensioner. Seems like a pretty urgent thing to fix, right?

    Of course I'm in a new city with a nasty climate and no other vehicle. The local Toyota dealership is backed up for two weeks and doesn't have a great reputation
     
  16. Nov 1, 2021 at 8:03 PM
    #16
    Dalandshark

    Dalandshark Infected with 5G

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    While you certainly may need a new tensioner, it could also be an exhaust leak from the secondary air injection where it goes into the manifold. This problem isn’t talked about much on this forum but seems to be mentioned on tundra solutions. I know this because I replaced my tensioners early this summer, and while the drivers main really needed to be done- I’m still getting a rattle that sounds like engine noise but is actually the leak I mentioned.
     
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  17. Nov 1, 2021 at 8:20 PM
    #17
    Dalandshark

    Dalandshark Infected with 5G

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    He forgot to mention the rattle that happens when the quick lube and/or dealer has pushed the oil nozzle in too hard and bent the oil baffle… which then gets eaten away.
     
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  18. Nov 2, 2021 at 6:24 AM
    #18
    OldHilux

    OldHilux [OP] New Member

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    I wish it were that easy, but I tracked down this noise to the driver's side VVT actuator using a stethoscope. I'd try seafoam and Toyota brand oil but I don't have a place even to change oil here:(
     
  19. Nov 2, 2021 at 6:38 AM
    #19
    Nowhereman

    Nowhereman New Member

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    10 - 30 in hot climate regions, cold regions 0-20 or 5-20.
    Check regularly for oil loss / usage and change regularly.
    Doesn't matter what brand unless you are particular.
    Good to go.
     
  20. Nov 2, 2021 at 6:41 AM
    #20
    OldHilux

    OldHilux [OP] New Member

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    ... Except the place I'm living likely won't let me do an oil change. I'd be perfectly happy replacing a timing chain tensioner myself but I don't have a place to work on a vehicle right now
     
  21. Nov 2, 2021 at 6:43 AM
    #21
    Nowhereman

    Nowhereman New Member

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    Rough Country shocks, ReTrax cover, Summo springs, black out badging, bed extender, "some other things I can't mention"
    There's tons of places that will change your oil, check all sorts of stuff, then go over the stuff with you.
    You pay a nominal price and don't deal with oil disposal or testing your mechanical skills when you might not have any.
    I don't see an issue.
     
  22. Nov 2, 2021 at 6:52 AM
    #22
    OldHilux

    OldHilux [OP] New Member

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    Oh I get your drift now, sorry to be dense. Maybe I'll ask around and see if any of said places will put Toyota oil in my engine (the Toyota dealership is pretty unavailable right now)
     
  23. Nov 2, 2021 at 7:22 AM
    #23
    Nowhereman

    Nowhereman New Member

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    Rough Country shocks, ReTrax cover, Summo springs, black out badging, bed extender, "some other things I can't mention"
    You don't need "Toyota oil" anyone on this site can give you ten or more brands that will work as well and even better under testing.
    Pick one you like and don't look back. Thats a well built ICE; you take care of it, it will take care of you.
     
  24. Nov 2, 2021 at 8:23 AM
    #24
    audiowize

    audiowize New Member

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  25. Nov 4, 2021 at 5:36 AM
    #25
    TundraTinker

    TundraTinker New Member

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    Not trying to be a negative nancy here, but I tried this as well. It's certainly worth a shot, considering the time you'd save...but also considering the comment...

    I think we have the answer as to what the problem is...The question is, will the easy out work of either using seafoam to potentially clean the tensioner and stop sticking? Will the cera-tec form a protective layer that magically makes the tensioner work as advertised?? Or, will OP just to have to figure out a way to get the drivers side primary chain tensioner changed out? I guess we will just have to await OP's saga...
     
  26. Nov 6, 2021 at 5:48 PM
    #26
    OldHilux

    OldHilux [OP] New Member

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    My engine now has Mobil 1 0w20 and a Toyota filter. And a much softer (probably VVT) rattle. Before it was like a rock shaken in a tin can, now it's like a plastic BB shaken in a tin can. So progress maybe I guess?
     
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  27. Nov 8, 2021 at 2:24 AM
    #27
    TundraTinker

    TundraTinker New Member

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    So, hopefully you're all good...but I can say that I've had the same experience every oil change. I always thought, this will be the fix!! I'll use a certain oil, certain filter, certain additive, and that'll fix my issue. It never did. I sincerely hope this works for you...but if it's anything like my experiences, it'll last only a couple of months then be back to normal chain slappy crappy time.
     
  28. Nov 8, 2021 at 7:51 PM
    #28
    OldHilux

    OldHilux [OP] New Member

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    About how many miles is that?

    I'll believe this is fixed when I see it. The old oil was definitely a problem but I'm not convinced it was the only problem. Oil additives are not my favorite at all and I chose not to mess with them for this application
     
  29. Nov 10, 2021 at 4:31 AM
    #29
    TundraTinker

    TundraTinker New Member

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    I would typically stick to a 2000 mile oil change schedule. I guess that'd be the "boomer" in me, just hammered into my head that every 2K miles an oil change needs to happen.

    Anyway, typically by 2K miles it'd be extremely evident that the chain slappin' crappin' would be back.
     
  30. Nov 10, 2021 at 6:15 AM
    #30
    Nowhereman

    Nowhereman New Member

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    Rough Country shocks, ReTrax cover, Summo springs, black out badging, bed extender, "some other things I can't mention"
    I'm a "Boomer" but, a gear head too.
    A good syn oil will give you at least 5k, more likely 10 to 12k of good mileage.
    I would go after the filter and top off if it bothers you that much.
    Look, engine lubrication in some ways is different than "chain lubrication".
    Today's oils do a good job at both but, if you just had to keep a chain oiled, you wouldn't be using motor oil, you would be using a chain specific lube that clings better.
    I've built engines for years from motorcycles to 800 HP 440 Dodge Challengers back in 70s vintage.
    If this chain slap (from stretching) becomes annoying, put an additive in there that helps.
     
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