Engine ticking noise, driver side, rear - Toyota 4Runner Forum

ad_robotics · 01-27-2021, 01:32 AM

Was changing the coolant when I heard this ticking noise. Not sure if it was there before, just happened to notice it now since I had the hood open while the engine was running.

The ticking sound is coming from the back of the engine, driver side.
Video

Give it to me straight doc, how long do I've got?

eleven14 · 01-27-2021, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ad_robotics

Was changing the coolant when I heard this ticking noise. Not sure if it was there before, just happened to notice it now since I had the hood open while the engine was running.

The ticking sound is coming from the back of the engine, driver side.
Video

Give it to me straight doc, how long do I've got?

My 2008 V6 has always had a tick since I bought it with 35k miles on it. Always assumed it was just the norm for these engines and haven't thought twice about it in the last 100k miles.

That said, have you changed motor oil brand/viscosity lately? How many miles on your oil now? Could also be an exhaust manifold but that issue isn't nearly as prevalent as on the v8s.

ad_robotics · 01-27-2021, 03:13 PM

I've done regular maintenance and did change the oil brand but since 2 oil changes ago.

Seymore Butts · 01-27-2021, 05:04 PM

I too have the common driver side ticking, but it's not nearly as loud as yours. About a year ago, I met a dude who claimed to be a master mechanic at a Toyota dealer and I asked him about it. He said that it's unlikely to be a lifter, even though it sounds just like one. He told me that's it's almost always a noisy injector, but it's not a sign of impending injector failure.

The only way to test that theory is to plug in a sophisticated diagnostic tool that would allow me to deactivate individual fuel injectors. Do you have access to something like that?

Hunter61 · 01-27-2021, 06:13 PM

Possibly a cracked exaust manifold. It's a common problem on 4runners.
Mines been doing it on the passenger side for the past 60k+ miles but stays silent once the outside temps go below 60 degrees or so. I'm not going to bother replacing it until it starts throwing codes.

V8RUNN · 01-27-2021, 06:33 PM

Did you check your plugs yet?

Drcoffee · 01-27-2021, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by V8RUNN

Did you check your plugs yet?

Could be a plug backing out or arcing from a bad plug or coil

Sounds like an exhaust leak, and that is a sucky job to do. Had that on a nissan pathfinder and in the process of replacing the gasket, I snapped one of the studs. $900 later at the shop to drill it out. I hated that truck almost from the minute I bought it.

ad_robotics · 01-28-2021, 02:42 AM

- I did replace my spark plugs a few months ago. I'll check and see if something happened with one of them.

- Would the exhaust manifold do a clicking sound? I'll check some videos online about exhaust manifolds and see if it is the culprit.

- I don't have access to one of those diagnostic tools

ad_robotics · 01-28-2021, 03:06 AM

Looking at some videos it does sound like the exhaust manifold is cracked. Funny how I thought some mechanical part must be broken but seems like the internal clicking sound of the engine just comes out louder if the manifold has a crack in it.

UrbanRunner651 · 01-28-2021, 09:30 AM

Its your exhaust. Take it in to a muffler shop and have them diagnose it for free. When I bought my 08 V6 @98k the drivers side had already been replaced with a custom header. FF a couple years, one of the welds at the manifold cracked and produced the same sounds.. Replaced both sides with JBA shorties and haven't heard a peep since.

702tripgen · 01-28-2021, 05:29 PM

I agree with the exhaust leak theories. Does it quite/go away when the engine is fully warmed up?

leonp24 · 01-28-2021, 05:40 PM

I was able to reduce the ticking coming from my v6 by following this - but it's still there.

V6 Tick Tic Tap Noise Reduced!

P_sisney · 12-05-2023, 08:28 PM

Hey, so I’m new to the 4runner community. Just wondering if the tick on startup and idle is normal. It accelerates with higher rpm. Is this something I should be worried about?

stevelikesrhino · 12-06-2023, 12:46 AM

First you need to make sure it's indeed from the exhaust. I have isolated the sound to be coming from the manifold area. For my V6, I can only hear it with windows down. If you can hear it even with all windows up, it might be an tiny exhaust leak. There's an interesting theory coming from a 120 Prado owner sharing the same V6 with us:

Welcome to Land Cruiser Owners On Line

Basically, the headers on our 1GR is a simple 90 degree bend out from the head, and it can cause exhaust pulses interfering with each other, hence making that noise that almost sounds like an exhaust leak.

bhille001 · 02-03-2024, 03:59 PM

I have the same sound, looked been told it could be injectors, valves or timing chain. Any resolution to this? Toyota says valves should be checked and adjusted like every 60k miles but nobody really seems to do this service. Even calling Toyota dealerships and local shops they say it is not a common thing to do. Had a local mechanic listen to the engine for 30 seconds and he said it sounds normal, hard to really trust this though haha.

Here is a video of my 08 making a similar noise, much more pronounced on driver side.

Video Here:
2008 4runner 1GRFE ticking/knocking noise? - YouTube

What i think is odd with this is that it sounds normal when cold, but gets louder the longer it runs and warms up. Maybe this would prove the exhaust leak theory true?

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