I just bought an Xb with 69,000 miles on it. It had an odd clatter coming from under the engine near the AC compressor. I could "duplicate the problem" best by putting the car in reverse, putting my foot slightly on the accelerator while on the brake - in this position the clatter came out in full force. It sounds like a diesel truck does when it's idling. By the way, it idles rough too. Fortunately I had a 3000 mile warranty on it but I went to four different Toyota and other mechanics to know what I was dealing with before I went back to the dealer. Of course two couldn't hear anything, one said it might be a loose heat shield and the last said it sounded like something was rubbing near the AC compressor. I had documented the noise on the purchase "we owe" slip. I took the car in Wednesday and they told me today they are replacing the AC compressor. Anyone ever heard of this problem? The mgr said they didnt know what the noise was so they were just replacing the compressor. Weird but I suppose it's their dime. I just wanna make sure I am prepared for anything else that can happen. Thanks in advance for any pointers![/code]

 

my water pump went out at 32000. that makes an aweful sound and very well could be your problem. the dealer mechanics are really not good at identifying problems.

with my they tried to tell me that it was my altinator even after i told him that i used a mechanics stethoscope to find the problem.

hopefully it is just the compressor and that fixes the problem but if not mention the water pump to them, and remember never trust dealer mechanics!

 

I am interested in knowing an answer to this senario. I have the same issue. something up front is rattling at very low idle. if in neutral, can push in the clutch and rattle seams to go away. it likes to shake a bit at idle also.

 

yeah, this is interesting. i am not sure what would cause it. let us know when you figure it out!

 

My first guess would be to replace the main drive belt. Around 42K miles they tend to go, and under accleration or a light load on the engine it makes a racket. I first thought i had engine knock, so i replaced the plugs. I still had the noise, so i asked around and ended up replacing the belt. It worked for a few months, but the aftermarket belt was slipping just like the OEM one. I replaced that belt with another OEM and now everthing is fine.

 

Welp the AC compressor being replaced changed the noise but didn't eliminate it. This dude at the car place is really knocking himself out to fix it and told me that he would send it to a Toyota shop. Course I don't assume they can recognize it any better than anyone else. He did mention it may be within "acceptable" range for noise though. I told him um my friend's xb doesn't rattle. Course hers doesnt have the cute spoiler or wheels either. I'll let you all know what happens next. THANKS!!

 

so a belt aye? I thought it was engine knock also. but I noticed the pitch of the sound doesn't increase but its volume does as the rpm goes up. does that make sense?

 

my a/c compressor litterally exploded at 3200 miles.. so I bellieve it could have been the compressor.. guess not tho'
lol, but true.. sounded like a bomb

 

did they change the belt with the compressor?
you say the noise changed after, so odds are they are in the right area.. pulleys...
so you still have the possibility of the water pump, like mentioned previously, it is also on that belt