2007 Rav4 Engine Whirring Noise

scotty_buttons · Postby **scotty_buttons** » October 19th, 2011, 6:23 pm

Hey tuners,

Having a problem with my vehicle and wondering if any of you all can point me in the right direction..

This afternoon, after leaving hospital..went to grand bazaar, bought something..came back..started engine..and bam! a strange whirring noise started coming from the engine compartment. turned off engine, started back up..same thing. took off a/c, no difference at all. It gets higher (higher pitch) with higher rpms and it's loudest when idling. sorta sounds like the noise a car makes when it's reversing

I then went under the hood and it seemed as though the noise coming from the engine itself..around that area.
I then went by a garage man,who agreed that it was coming from the engine itself..and may be the camshaft!! :shock:

so now i praying to God it isnt that..
Can it be the alternator bearing? power steering pump? (not sure if this vehicle has one)
Concerning the alternator, I noticed for some time that my dome lights would slightly dim anytime the a/c compressor would come on..that a bad sign? or normal?

it's the 1AZ-FE engine if that'll help..

any ideas? where can I go other than Toyota Trinidad to find the source of this problem reliably?

Thanks alot for your help

Postby **toyolink** » October 19th, 2011, 8:02 pm

Your enquiry seems to point to the tranmission.Please carefully examine if the noise is coming from the area of the transmission.
Remember the unit is actually located on the left side of the engine.

scotty_buttons · Postby **scotty_buttons** » October 19th, 2011, 8:40 pm

transmission problems? already? i mean, I have the vehicle for less than 5yrs from the firm and the most i ever did with the transmission is gear down from D to 3 a couple times..and from 3 to 2 TWICE which shifted into less than 5000rpm
also, used gear 2 a couple times for engine braking down hills..

you think it's a serious problem though? serious as in requiring rebuilding transmission?

scotty_buttons · Postby **scotty_buttons** » October 19th, 2011, 8:45 pm

i'll use my stethoscope later to check to see exactly where the noise coming from..but by ear, it really sounds more from the left hand side of the engine (me facing the engine)

scotty_buttons · Postby **scotty_buttons** » October 19th, 2011, 10:18 pm

ok it definitely coming from the left hand side of the engine bay more..heard most on the alternator with my stethoscope..but almost the intensity as the left side of the engine

gonna check someone tmr..will post back here then

Postby **toyolink** » October 20th, 2011, 9:07 pm

Glad to hear its right side of engine=left side if standing in front.Hopefully is one of the pulleys monkeying around.
I will be very surprised if your problem is the camshaft.
What is definite is that you need to deal with this urgently since the noise being emitted is a precursor to something giving out and possibly puting you in a whole lot of trouble.

Postby **toyolink** » October 20th, 2011, 9:12 pm

BTW the 2007 Rav4 dont have a vane/power steering pump,the system is electronic.

scotty_buttons · Postby **scotty_buttons** » October 20th, 2011, 9:32 pm

yea i realised that afterwards...

so this morning, van couldnt start..so that led more to the alternator..jump started..engine started..noise was still there..

later that afternoon engine started fine..went to service center to have the battery changed..but after testing..was found the battery wasnt charging..alternator wasnt working..need to fix the alternator first!

went bamboo to look for an alternator after getting a quote from Toyota Trinidad to change alternator was 9000!!!...

battery light came on while driving..then steering locked up, airbags malfunctioned..battery died completely..couldnt even tumble!..cousin came to help..switched batteries..and headed to an auto electrician..he gonna try to see if he can fix the alternator overnight..hopefully he'll get thru yes

thanks for your help so far!

will post back tmrw

scotty_buttons · Postby **scotty_buttons** » October 28th, 2011, 11:59 pm

Just to complete thread..problem fixed!

Was a bad rectifier and rectifier plate in the alternator!

sweeks · Postby **sweeks** » October 30th, 2011, 12:06 am

Who fixed it?
And how much did it cost?

turbohead · Postby **turbohead** » October 30th, 2011, 6:23 pm

where did you get the replacement rectifier to buy?

scotty_buttons · Postby **scotty_buttons** » November 1st, 2011, 12:05 am

A guy in aranguez..close to the glass place on the highway.. He sourced the rectifier for me and did everything. Paid 1850 for 'changed rectifier and rebuilt alternator'

His number is 6831494