4-cyl highlander idle vibrations

[yibinshen]

Hello,

I have a 2006 highlander, 2.4L/4 cyl/2WD, about 1600 miles. It is pretty rough during idle (i.e. the Antenna really wobbles during idle).

Is it normal? Is there anything I could do to fix this? Maybe premium fuel? Different motor oil?

The dealer was not helpful at all.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Yibin

[peid]

I wouldn't think it is normal, but I also don't think gas or oil will do any thing to help either. Take a new one for a test drive to compare, or did anything happen to make it start vibrating? Has it done it since new or just started at say 1,000 miles or so?

[hshannon]

I have a 2003 4-cyl Highlander. It is quite smooth for a 4-cyl. I've noticed the antenna wobbling when stopped in drive, but it stops when you put the car in park. I'd say it's a pretty smooth engine for a 4 cylinder. If you think it is really rough, have the dealer check it. It could smooth out a bit as the motor mounts begin to soften, although I did not notice any change over time.

HS Windham NH

[bitenmein]

02' 4 banger. I had the same wabble and I took it to the Stealership. They just said it was loose. Some time later the engine would not start occasionaly, but no CEL!?. Took to the stealer and they repaired something. Said the idler or some other crap was bad. (thank god I bought that extended warrenty) Some time later the rough idle came back, but this time with a CEL. I cant remember the code but it was "Catalytic insufficeny" Took to the Stealer and they said the the cat "needed to be recalibrated" I have never heard of such a thing and now the damn thing idles even worse! I am done with Toys!

[asianflava]

Recalibrate the cat? That doesn't sound right. We found out that there is a service bulletin on the cats. Ours was replaced under warranty. Of course that was after 2 O2 sensors, an ECU, and a couple ECU reflashes.

[LifeTech]

My experience with some, not all recent Toyota 4 bangers(whether Japan built or Canada/USA) is that when they are new they are very tight and have been known to idle VERY rough. I feel the valvetrain is partially responsible and requires additional breakin.

After a good breakin , as much as 3-4 thousand miles, it suddenly disappears.
I have seen this in the last 4 years of engine production runs mostly on 4s but did see this one Sienna V-6 2004. The rough idle just disappears after breakin.

Tip= I would change the filter/oil with dino oil at 1,500K miles, not synthetic, and continue breakin with fresh oil.

My personal pref is Mobil 1 After 2500-3,000k for all my past and present Toys. But do breakin with regular spec weight oil. H/L, Ltd. V-6=5W30
I even do dump O/E oil and filter at 400-500 hundred with regular oil and continue with it till stated above. The O/E fill looks so dam dirty at 400 miles. Metallic content is high and visible. I feel most of this substance is from the first 100 miles of the engine breakin, as documented in alot of tech studies.

I then keep my Oil/filter intervals at 5k,10k,15k, 20k,etc.

Remember to document with dealer now ,your issue. and feel secure that yu have the balance of drivetrain warranty to solve this if need be.

Try to just enjoy the ride.