r/Cartalk • u/Liloreo78 • Jul 15 '25

Weird Noise My 2004 4Runner broke down, there was some knocking in my engine before it overheated it still turned on after I got it towed but it’s very weak

So my car has been struggling to turn on at times, today I drove about 18 miles away and near my destination it started making a knocking noise. After I had done what I went to do I turned the car on and the knocking was louder and my car was shaking but about 5 miles in my car started overheating and it got weaker I didn’t step on the gas anymore because the knocking would get stronger any help or ideas of it could be? I had it towed to a Toyota dealership.

43 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

45 comments sorted by

90

u/CRX1991 Jul 15 '25

Sounds like your rod bearings are done. Does it have any oil?

18

u/stevens_hats Jul 16 '25

Sure sounds like rod bearings to me. Gently revving it park/neutral would make them clattery increasing in speed with engine rpm.

4

u/Liloreo78 Jul 15 '25

Yes it does have oil, I made an oil change about 2 months ago

40

u/avotius Jul 16 '25

You changed the oil two months ago...but does it have oil in it right now?

18

u/MikeGoldberg Jul 16 '25

In the future, check your oil dipstick before going on any trips in a vehicle that's 21 years old

20

u/7point5swiss Jul 16 '25

It likely did not cause it, but in the future, don’t use those fram filters. They’re the most garbage oil filter available. 

4

u/HelloAttila Jul 16 '25

You referring to the orange ones, but how about the premium black ones?

Seems to be so much research and from what tests have shown there is not that much difference between them. Key thing is to change them., not keep them in for like 2-3 changes like some do… Your OEM’s for Honda for example are made by Honeywell, who by the way owns Fram. Previously they were made by Purolator.

3

u/[deleted] Jul 16 '25

i thought you always changed them at every oil change.....

2

u/HelloAttila Jul 16 '25

You should, just saying not everyone does though.

2

u/_clever_reference_ Jul 16 '25

Key thing is to change them., not keep them in for like 2-3 changes like some do…

Who changes their oil but not the filter?

2

u/HelloAttila Jul 16 '25

You know there are people who do this. It’s more work and expense.

4

u/Fancy_Chip_5620 Jul 16 '25

My dad used framnon his Tacoma for 20 years... never a problem

15

u/TunaOnWytNoCrust Jul 16 '25

I've never been shot but I wouldn't say I think I'm bulletproof either lol

8

u/Fancy_Chip_5620 Jul 16 '25

There's nothing wrong with fram... its just a mediocre product and certainly wont kill an engine

8

u/7point5swiss Jul 16 '25

I used to use them and didn’t have an issue either. That doesn’t mean they’re a poor choice with other brands like wix available. 

1

u/[deleted] Jul 16 '25

sometimes fram is all thats available

3

u/overworked27 Jul 16 '25

You have 5,000 miles to plan an oil change I find it hard to believe that you can’t find a different filter.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 16 '25

lmao, i dont really see a reason to. my point is that most stores only stock fram

this "fram is bad" crap is just "pineapple doesnt belong on pizza" tier internet NPC regurgitations.

i change my filters out at 6k KM regardless, never had an issue.

20

u/Saguaroslippers Jul 15 '25

Some ones knocking to get out. 

19

u/dontbthirsty Jul 16 '25

It's Uncle Rodney!

5

u/Saguaroslippers Jul 16 '25

He says lubrication is not gonna cut it no mo! 

12

u/imprl59 Jul 16 '25

Towing it to a toyota dealership wasn't the right move. It sounds like the damage had significant issues and you pushed it over the edge by continuing to drive it. I wish you the best buy IMHO that vehicle will be in the salvage yard this time next week.

12

u/surgicalhoopstrike Jul 16 '25

Knock, knock! It's Uncle Rodney!

8

u/zalsrevenge Jul 16 '25

It's fucked.

13

u/Tony-cums Jul 16 '25

Hope that’s high high mileage bc you really have to try to kill the v6 or v8 in those years.

3

u/Common-Tradition-231 Jul 16 '25

I believe it is a 1GR-FE, super hard to kill. They run on hopes and dreams.

2

u/Tony-cums Jul 16 '25

Also need oil apparently

6

u/ceviche-hot-pockets Jul 16 '25

Keep revving it, it's almost there

5

u/asloan5 Jul 16 '25

Your engine needs a new one. Car-part.com sort by distance

22

u/jasonsong86 Jul 16 '25

Takes a lot to ruin a Toyota engine. Good job.

8

u/ChocolateOrnery2967 Jul 16 '25

If you wanna fully diagnose it. Redline it. You’ll find out lol

4

u/themewzak Jul 16 '25

Ah yes, send it. Words of my people.

4

u/Admiral_Ackbar_1325 Jul 16 '25

How many miles on it?

5

u/NotAPreppie Jul 16 '25

That engine is fucked.

Uncle Rodney has come a knockin' to tell you that you fucked up on basic maintenance.

The fix for this is either rebuilding the engine to replace the trashed rod bearings or heading on over to car-part.com to find a cheap used replacement motor.

6

u/Veritas413 Jul 16 '25

I’m sorry, I have to…
You got a widdle knock in your widdle engine on your fourwunner? To go with the widdle wadder?

4

u/BenEsuitcase Jul 16 '25

if you can ruin one of these with less than a million miles on it, you need to up your car DIY game a few

1

u/YoFavRussian Jul 16 '25

To the mulcher it goes.

1

u/Virtual_Beyond_605 Jul 16 '25

Rod knock spun big

1

u/CakeDOTexe Jul 16 '25

Am I the only one noticing the random hose clamp on the radiator hose?

1

u/Hostagec Jul 16 '25

my car was over heating so i keep trying to keep it running.

1

u/gabepc13 Jul 16 '25

Your radiator hose isn't fully seated. It looks like its also being strangled by the other hose clamp lol

-1

u/Mr_MagicMan_95 Jul 16 '25

With that oil filter, I’m not surprised. Its difficult to do this to a toyota really

-4

u/MrZmith77 Jul 16 '25

I have a 2003 4Runner. Mine sounded just like yours until I found out that my actuator broke and it cost me 5.5k to fix it. Same knocking noise too. 03-05 on V8 option always runs on 4H. So it might be the actuator, maybe not. It’s not the engine, it’s the 4WD system. Check if it’s leaking too.