3SGTE rattly on low revs + when cold only ** problem found **

[RobST162]

why would I want to remove the pin on the crank dude?

the washer just free spins in there atm

[warrior]

why would I want to remove the pin on the crank dude?

the washer just free spins in there atm

I thought the washer was lodged into that position and you wanted to free it up to rotate it.

[Celica RA45]

the crank has 2 keys in it the 1st 1 in your pic and another 1 further back to hold the crank pulley for the cam belt timming set up

[strat]

Yeah the crank key ways look fine, my thoughts are main bearings you probably cant here them at higher revs due to other engine noise, i have busted main beaings that have made no noise!

[neal]

try listening in your sump with a screw driver or an extention, you should be able to hear and feel the noise. Or your crank pulley could just have been loose.

[RA23]

Or your crank pulley could just have been loose.

How would the noise go away with rising engine temperature?

I'm very interested in this thread, because my wifes RAV4 has exactly the same problem. Rattles when cold and low rpm. Rattle sounds identical.
Dropped it off at Toyota and they couldn't find anything wrong....

[RobST162]

ok good news re: two keys. I thought there was one.

I'm removing the lower timing belt cover and timing belt washer tonight to see what she sounds like.

I am hoping that the 0.5mm or so play between the pulley => washer => timing belt gear created the rattle, so once I take the washer off i'll know once and for all of that's the problem. if it was, i'll re-assemble and cross my fingers

if not, it's a trip to sump-off land

[neal]

RA23: No idea. Loose pulleys do posses similar symptoms but not temperature related your correct about that.

[RobST162]

yeah I wonder if the temp thing (originally.. it isn't now.. ) was because there may have been just a few thousandths movement (causing the rattle) which was mostly taken up once the engine gets hot? (assuming this is my problem.. which it may not be) which as the pulley shifted away from the engine slightly became too big for expansion to overcome say, 7-8 thou

[neal]

Rob: could it be your oil pump?

[Joshstix]

I guess possibly it could be the drive pulley on the oil pump slightly loose but if the actual pump itself was making a rattling noise I think the pump rattle would be low on the list of symptoms to worry about.

[RobST162]

don't you dare say it

[RobST162]

yeah josh I haven't had the idiot light come on (and don't have a pressure gauge - need 4th gen t-piece) and oil flows very nicely up into the head, and after a few hundred ks no mech symptoms are visible...

[RobST162]

alright, pulled more stuff off tonight

loose washer, removed with the lower timing belt cover

mate dropped by with a stethescope... so far we're looking more like the idler pulley bearing

gotta take the timing belt off.. dang it.

[neal]

good luck with it mate.