Toyota Sienna Engine Problems

60 messages, Last post on Oct 23, 2009 at 9:23 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Sienna, Van

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#11 of 60: Engine Knock TSB by jaccord; Feb 14, 2007 (6:19 pm)

Hi here is The tsb Im not sure how long it took I drop it in the morning and then pick it up at night.
Engine "Pinging" or "Knock Noise"
TSB EG055-06 September 6, 2006.

#12 of 60: My case is oil gel issue? by ejk3; Mar 30, 2007 (10:33 pm)

I have 2001 Sienna of which mileage is 78K now.
I took it to local auto shop to get maintenance 3 days ago.
At that time, mechanic said my car's oil level was too low
even though I changed it just a few months ago.
The next day, he called me and said that one piston was broken and unless I change engine, my car will die on the road. And he said he had seen lots of similar problems in other Siennas and Avalons.
I picked up my car today and they charged 1600 dollars.
Can this case be covered with oil gel settlement?
And I'm not keeping any oil change receipts. Can I get reimburse for this?

#13 of 60: engine noise at startup by mlow; Apr 21, 2007 (4:38 pm)

My 2004 Toyota Sienna has developed a noise when started, especially when cold. It is quite a loud noise, similar to valves clacking, but it goes away and we don't hear it once the engine is warm. the dealer does not seem to think this is a problem but it did not make this noise when we bought it over even a few weeks ago? I don't like it - anyone else have a similar issue now or in the past?

avital123 (May 07, 2007 10:30 am)

#14 of 60: Re: engine noise at startup [mlow] by avital123; May 07, 2007 (10:30 am)

Replying to: mlow (Apr 21, 2007 4:38 pm)

I had a very similar problem witha 98 Nissan Quest Minivan. It had a loud clank noise as it the valves were clacking. When I first took it to the mechanic, they replaced the exhaust manifold seal. Noise went away but came back a week later. I took it again and it turned out that the exhaust manifold assembled to the engine block had warped. Some of the bolts holding the manifold to the engine had broken off as well. As the engine heated up (around 3 - 5 minutes) the warpage would straighten up and the noise would go away. I replaced both front and rear exhaust manifolds and the vehicle is working very well.

#15 of 60: Transmission Slipping on Nissan Quest by avital123; May 07, 2007 (10:43 am)

I have a 1998 Nissan Quest Minivan. A year and a half ago after travelling 70 miles at 65 mph using the cruise control, the transmission shifted down to 3rd gear for a few seconds then shifted back to overdrive. As I kept driving, it did it more often. I returned the 70 miles and had to really slow down as the transmission shifted even as down as 2nd gear. The mechanic could not detect any issues using the computer. I used it 18 months in the city without any problems at all. This weekend I travelled and again after 70 miles, it started shifting down from overdrive to 3rd gear. On my way back, I was travelling against the wind and had absolutely no problems. It appears as if it was heating up but the wind was cooling down. I have been driving it around in the city and again, absolutely no problemas. Has anyone experienced the same issue? Should I add a transmission radiator or should I give up and replace the transmission?

#16 of 60: engine noise when accelerating by fulcrum81; Jul 16, 2007 (7:06 am)

I was testing drive a sienna xle. It's very quiet on local road. But when I tried to accelerate, the engine sounds very noisy, not as rhythmic as odyssey's engine. Anyone noticed this?

Also, on the highway, the sienna seems as noisy/quiet as odyssey...

ateixeira (Jul 16, 2007 7:10 am)
- siennami (Aug 15, 2007 3:06 am)
  - ateixeira (Aug 15, 2007 8:17 am)

#17 of 60: Re: engine noise when accelerating [fulcrum81] by ateixeira; Jul 16, 2007 (7:10 am)

Replying to: fulcrum81 (Jul 16, 2007 7:06 am)

I think at cruise it's quieter.

The 3.5l is louder than the old 3.3l because it uses a timing chain, but then again so does Honda. Plus, that means less maintenance down the road.

Also, for the 3.5l, normally only one opening in the intake is used. At more than half throttle, or over a certain rpm, the 2nd intake path is opened for more power, and yes it makes more noise while that path is opened.

Toyota added more insulation for 2007 to compensate for the extra noise, but at full throttle the engine asserts itself nicely.

siennami (Aug 15, 2007 3:06 am)
- ateixeira (Aug 15, 2007 8:17 am)

#18 of 60: HUMMING VIBRATION by nilion; Jul 19, 2007 (6:21 pm)

I RENTED A 2007 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE VAN AND DROVE THROUGH A MOUNTAINOUS AREA. I NOTICED A HUMMING VIBRATION BEGINNING AT 2200 RPM, AND THE VIBRATION INCREASED IN BOTH SOUND AND VIBRATION, AND THEN PEAKED AT ABOUT 2500 RPM - THEN STOPPED WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED.
THIS HUMMING VIBRATION OCCURRED CONSISTENTLY BETWEEN 2200 AND 2500 RPM.
HAVE YOU HAD THIS SAME EXPERIENCE WITH A TOYOTA SIENNA AND, IF SO, DID YOU FIND A CAUSE AND REMEDY?

#19 of 60: Timing Chain, 2 port intake by ateixeira; Jul 23, 2007 (6:51 am)

First off, the 2GR engine now uses a timing chain, which is a bit noisier but more durable and more economical than a timing belt, which usually have to be replaced every 60k miles.

The catch is timing chains are indeed noisier, so Toyota added some extra sound insulation in the firewall and in the door jambs. I have a picture of it and you can see it below.

Now, about the increase in noise at certain RPM - this engine also has 2 intake paths. Normally one is open to minimize intake road, but when the throttle is more than half way down and above a certain RPM the 2nd path opens to get maximum power.

You might be experiencing that valve opening and closing, effectively doubling the intake roar. And of course it varies according to RPM and throttle position.

FWIW, I don't think the noise is that bad. I've actually modified mine so that both intake ports remain open all the time. A set of vacuum tubes operates these and a simple mod leaves them both open all the time. I'm basically trading off a bit more noise for better throttle response, less hesitation, and (some say) better gas mileage.

PS I should note that the older 3.3l engine also has the dual port intake, but it uses a timing belt.