High pitched, cricket-like noise under hard acceleration from Prado Grande

[Shutterbug Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Shutterbug]

Hi,

It's a '97 Prado Grande Automatic. Twice in Low 4WD gear on sand, and whilst accelerating from a standing start, I heard quite a loud high pitched cricket-like noise that lasted only a few seconds. Then a week later whilst accelerating fast into traffic it occurred in Drive gear on the highway.
The noise seems to come from the near-side rear of the vehicle. I didn't think fan belts etc at first but decided to get it checked. All belts checked out ok and mechanics couldn't fault them.

After about 40 minutes and a stethoscope the mechanic deduced 'torque converter' noise and wanted to replace it. But when he let me listen it was nothing like the sound that I had described. So we decided not to go down that road.

Any ideas?

Cheers

Shutterbug

[oceanracer Moderated member Find all posts View Profile Close oceanracer]

Mine did something like that years ago, I think for memory it was one of the pullys loading up and getting a bit of sideways flex, mine did it towing accelerating from scratch.

[Shutterbug Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Shutterbug]

Where are these pulleys?

[brissy Member Find all posts View Profile Close brissy]

ours does it too under hard acceleration, normally just before the upshift or on kickdown when accelerating hard from 60+ km/h. A Al drive belts recently replaced, lower a/c tension pulley also being replaced recently, timing belt and both pulleys and water pump also done 12 mths ago.
At the moment I'm guessing viscous fan coupling or alternater bearing. Open to suggestions, I am looking at replacing the fan coupling soon as it seems to be too stiff when cold