Black soot and rattling noise (Videos and images attached)
 

I've attached some youtube links to shorts that I've uploaded.
The first link provides the sound I'm hearing. This sound does sometimes go away when the clutch is pressed in. I believe it to be a TOB but I could be wrong. However, it kicks on when the A/C is turned on (shown in video) This confuses me as to how the clutch sometimes effects the issue.
https://youtube.com/shorts/lL_mzDVnuaY?feature=share

Below are two links to the soot I'm referring to. It looks like it could be oil based off the location and the drip spot shown in video.
https://youtube.com/shorts/-FPHOvqTdec?feature=share
(second video is just for comparison)
https://youtube.com/shorts/DJdkefZEAxo?feature=share

https://i.imgur.com/548Yp7x.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/zFwF1qq.jpeg

I plan on taking it in to Toyota soon to have them look at it. I want them to check if it's running rich, inspect the engine block, catalytic converter for damage and a squeak from the engine bay. When I was parked at a drive through the squeak was so god damn loud lol.
If anyone has any information/theories/advice that would be super appreciated.

2013 Scion FRS 100k/mi

How does the serpentine belt look? Worn belt could squeal, and it makes sense that the AC engaging making it worse. If the belt is slowly disintegrating it could be throwing rubber dust around, making it look sooty. Also check all pulleys while you're at it to make sure none are seized/hard to spin, especially the idlers and tensioner.

Edit: now that I actually listened to the video it's not belt squeal. Sounds like engine load dependent, so turning on the AC would make it worse. How are your engine mounts?

I can't get over that air filter setup. You went from a factory cold air intake with a panel filter to some aftermarket intake that is picking up hot air from the engine bay. You filter is also not oiled.

That is oil residue. Either timing cover or OCV leak or spill from filling.

That’s assuming that I did this, but I just bought the vehicle. I took the cold air shielding out so I could clean it and have better visibility. The car is being driven as minimally as possible until I can diagnose the issue. The previous owner put the mishimoto cold air system on, not me.

As for an oil leak, that’s what I’m worried about. How would I go about finding the possible leak?

I have encountered a few people mentioning engine mounts, but I haven’t been able to check them yet. I’ll check the belt later. Something was squealing super loud at a drive through last night, I assumed it was the belt or TOB, leaning towards belt. Unfortunately, the squealing was not occurring when I record the video

https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=152655

You've been driving it minimally at least since late February. Is that rattle an exhaust leak, or is it your transmission? Does the rattle quit when you disengage the clutch?

Writing about it won't help. Gotta get in there and fix shit.

it could've just been a spill from overfilling.

first step here is to clean the motor and see if the problem re-appears.

as for the rattle, check the exhaust connections and hangers. if the exhaust was replaced at any point, or swapped back to stock before you got it, it could be any of those loose connections.

I can't figure ownership history from a picture, just calling out what I see. I recommend getting some K&N filter oil as those pleated cotton filters need to be oiled to do their job. I personally don't care for K&N's.

It's a common oil leak on these engines. You need to pull the engine skid off and degrease the front of the engine to even figure out where it is coming from. That skid plate is supposed to be brushed aluminum and yours is black so it's been leaking for a very long time. If it is just an OCV, easy fix. If it is the timing cover, then you need to determine how bad the leak is and decide if it is worth bothering to fix. Timing cover reseal is an engine out affair and is easy to screw up. You may be able to get away with cleaning very thoroughly and smearing some RTV where it is leaking.

As for your noise, i'd want to address that pretty soon. Sounds TOB'ish to me. Neglecting that for too long means replacing the front cover of the transmission too.

Welcome to a new episode of Just Rolled In - customer states they tried fixing an oil leak themselves but it still leaks :lol:

I have been driving it normally, only the past week have I been able to look really into the problem. I cannot tell where the rattle comes from, it sounds like it could be an exhaust component but I believe it to be the TOB. It does sometimes goes away when the clutch is disengaged. Though it’s not consistent. I’m gonna schedule an appointment soon, I’m trying to finish up schooling so I haven’t had the time to deal with it but I will here very soon. I’m posting here to get information/leads as to what it could be and learn more about the vehicle from knowledgeable people.

I would like to mention that the rattle seems to appear when the engine has warmed up. It comes and goes. If Im driving with the AC off it can appear but more often than not it’ll rattle when the AC is switched ones (shown in video)

I’ll look into the OCV as that seems plausible for causing the gunk. I wiped my finger on it earlier, Today, and it was super thick. I hope it’s nothing huge such as the cover.
The TOB has been a concern and what’s mainly been alerting me. I’m writing all of this down to bring to a Toyota shop to see what they say. Thank you 🙏

It’s got a corsa exhaust system installed. I’ve wanted to check the connections but haven’t been able to jack the car up to get underneath it yet.

Believe me, I died a little inside typing that :D If it's the actual timing cover that is an expensive repair. As a DIY'er it's not an easy repair either so I don't want to recommended someone take it on not knowing someone's skill level. There have been a few people who have bandied it and it's been okay. So I don't feel too bad about saying it.

Seems that time spent taking and posting videos is more valuable than actually working on the problem.