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I have had a 94 4Runner w/108,000 mi. for about 2 yrs now and my mechanic just informed me that he hears a slight ticking noise while pressing the accelerator in 4th gear. He told me that if I hear that noise getting louder or in other gears, I should get rid of the truck immediately cause it means the transmission will need replaced soon. He indicated that it w/be very difficult to even find a manual transmission for a 4WD. He also said that IF they were lucky enough to find a transmission, the expense of the transmission would be atleast $1,500 and another $1,500 in labor.
This truck has been exceptionally good to me and I am reluctant to get rid of it since the first owner was impeccable with maintenance as noticed by his personality and maintenance receipts (private sale). Does this sound accurate? I've heard of noone else experiencing these serious transmission problems in the ‘older' model vehicles on townhall/expert answer pages. I know the guys in the shop are usually envious of my well-maintained vehicle. Am I being BS'ed cause I'm female or just naive? It's so hard to know who is honest anymore...
Answer -
Let me ask you this, do you hear the ticking noise?
Somehow I just dont buy the mechanics story about the transmission problem, if you can hear this noise and are concerned about it I urge you to take it to a Toyota dealer and have their shop foreman or one of the best technicians in the shop roadtest the truck with you so you can point out the noise, this may save you a lot of money and headaches, good luck and let me know if I can be of more help.
Reply to Answer- Yes, I do hear it but only because I am listening for it. Its very faint and only hear it when I am accelerating in 4th gear. I was already considering what you mentioned about going to a local toyota dealer but you confirmed it- thanks. I'm trying to determine if this mech. is just making me paranoid (cause I listen for it constantly now) or really knows his stuff. There are no other signs of trouble w/the vehicle whatsoever..
AnswerThanks for the reply, I still don't think the "problem" is in the transmission, I could go on with a bunch of technical mumbo jumbo but I don't think it would make much sense to you unless you know how manual transmissions work, if you have a chance ask the mechanic just what exactly he thinks is causing the noise within the transmission, for instance, a gear, a bearing or what,and let me know what his explanation is, I wish I could hear the noise but unfortunately I can't and noises are very hard to diagnose without being there unless it is a very common condition and in this case it is not.
