1MZFE VVT-I making weird knocking/rattling noises

Tiny
DPLUMLEY5
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 TOYOTA SIENNA
  • 3.0L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 286,000 MILES
I have been working on my van recently and I’ve about given up because of what is happening. So a little bit of background information. I did a timing belt and water pump replacement, changed the injectors to new OEM factory injectors, replaced the knock sensors, replaced the spark plugs, did the valve cover gaskets, and changed the cam and crank seals. This means I had both pieces to the intake off, the valve covers off, etc. I am 99% sure I have the timing belt on correctly because the car does run and I watched a video on how to do it, but upon startup I am experiencing a weird problem. When I go to start the car it starts up fine, but I get a really weird knocking sound and the idle is all over the place. Once second it is at 2,000 rpm's, and the other it wants to stall. It almost sounds like the rattle from shaking a paint can. (You can watch the video of the sound it is making below or the link I also put below). I originally thought well maybe it could be the rod bearings and I’m getting knock or something. I end up taking off both pieces of the oil pan and I removed each piston rod cap and inspected every bearing. For 286,000 miles they look almost brand new and there isn’t enough scoring to feel even with my finger nail. So I crossed that off the list.. it can’t be knock or a spun bearing. It isn’t the power steering or A/C because those belts weren’t even connected whenever I started it. At this point I put everything back together, redo the timing again because I thought maybe I messed it up the first time, and I go to start the car. I’m getting this odd knocking noise again. My final conclusion is that maybe I dropped a bolt or nut into the valve chambers or into a spark plug hole or something? Maybe it’s the new injectors failing to work properly? I have no idea how this could happen because out of everything I did the only bolt I was missing was the inch to inch 1/2 long bolt that goes into One of the intake piece brackets (the small intake piece that had the throttle cable attached to it). Overall, I really can’t seem to figure out what this sound is but help would be greatly appreciated.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/4eomz5tgibdmdfs/sstg-D8F35FC6-60FA-4052-9D85-1A4E11027DCF.MP4?dl=0
Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 2:24 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good evening,

Yes, it sounds like you dropped something into a cylinder and that is the noise.

I would suggest getting a boring scope and look in each cylinder with the plug out.

Do not run it as you may damage a piston or crack a head with it running.

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 2:54 PM
Tiny
DPLUMLEY5
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
That would make sense for the noise, but I don’t think this would cause the weird idle issue. Don’t you agree?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 3:01 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Sure will. Get the boroscope and look in each cylinder. Then you will see what side head has to be removed.

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 3:14 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links