Hi Scotty, I am in Canada and have 2007 Toyota Rav4 V6 limited with 230,000km and automatic transmission. I turned the car on and i hear this sand paper noise i have the video uploaded on youtube for your review. Hope you can help me where to start.
thanks,
Hard to tell exactly what it is, to be on the safe side I wouldn't drive it anymore until you know for sure what is causing the noise. More than likely it's the tensioner puller, alternator or something of that nature that the bearing has gone bad on the pulley. If you have someone who can remove the serpentine belt, have them do that then start the car. Don't run it more than a minute or two at most. If the noise is gone then you have a simple issue you need a mechanic to figure out which pulley it is. if the noise continues then you have something internal to the engine causing that noise. Knowing the dependability of Toyota engines more than likely it's a pulley. Again I'd stop driving it, even if it's a pulley if the belt comes off while driving it can wrap around the pulleys, destroy sensors, even rip through wiring harnesses.
sounds like one of the pulleys on the belt drive is worn out.
Or the cooling fan is rubbing on something.
Been my general experience if it's the fan rubbing it's then usually a faster higher pitch noise. If it is the fan I'd say more than likely the motor bearing instead of rubbing. Definitely something else to check.
If it is the water pump or the belt. Would you recommend OEM pump and belt?
Also does the coolant have to be Toyota or just coolant made for japanese cars?
I wouldn't automatically assume it's the water pump and replace it. Could just be the idler pulley. If you take the serpentine belt off and the noise is gone, you can hand spin them all and easily realize which one it is. You'll feel it. That pump has some good aftermarket replacements. If you had an internal pump driven by the timing chain or a belt one I would say go OEM. But yours is ok to go aftermarket. Far as coolant there are some Asian formulas from different mfg's that will work ok. If in doubt just post what your looking at buying here and we will check and let you know.
I do agree with @InThrustWeTrust , OEM parts usually do have a longer lifespan, especially on Toyotas. I will say when dealing with Chrysler and some GM products I have found aftermarket parts that were better than OEM.
@thumpy oddly, you’re not the first person who has mentioned this to me.. What is it with those two manufacturers?!
Hi Scotty,
2007 Rav4 v6 limited with 230,000km. Would you get OEM water pump and serpentine belt with Toyota coolant (or any Coolant made for Japanese cars will suffice). Thanks
I’d use OEM for best longevity.
For the coolant, use Toyota coolant or another coolant which matches the OEM specification as mentioned in your owner’s manual.
The noise seems to be a worn out pulley, but check the real culprit using this method -
@InThrustWeTrust This is a double post I believe. Already answered in other posting. @rf55 Are you just looking for Scotty to respond?
Thanks for the heads up.
for the Serpentine belt, would you recommend any belt from Auto Value, I live in Canada and we don't have Auto Zone but I think Auto Value is the same. or do you recommend going to Toyota dealership to buy the belt?
As long as you don't end up with a 10 buck belt made in China it's fine.
haha, thank you @thumpy. no I am not used to this site so I remember the other site Scotty had was only him responding so I noticed that to post a new question was faster response from him than reply to his old one as it was just Scotty and millions of people. so I am glad he has amazing people helping him out. thank you for everything.
On Youtube I found people saying that for my car I need a special tensioner socket. do you know if that is true or would a normal socket that fits suffice?
I don't think so on yours. You should be able get a reg socket on it. My car you can't. But I was able to get creative with 2 feet of extension bar and a trolley jack to hold mine loose.