After years of being without a 4Runner, I jumped back into the game and bought a 2021 TRD Off Road Premium a couple weeks ago.

From the minute I drove it off the lot I noticed a clicking noise when the engine was under load. The noise kicks in around 1,700 RPM and stays constant when on the gas. The clicking does not get faster or slower it just simply goes away when letting off the gas.

I took it back into the dealership and they said it was a normal noise. I have since then drove my friends 2020 and I did not notice the noise in his.

The best way to describe the sound is the toy cars that you would pull back to "wind up". It makes that same clicking noise....

It isn't a loud noise, just very annoying. It is actually not noticeable when listening to music, but it is noticeable when it is silent or on the phone.

Any ideas?

It's the Toyota tick lots of threads on here.

Engine Tapping/Ticking Noise

What’s interesting is you saying the engine at 4,000 rpm would click at the same rate as 2,000 rpm.

You sure about that?

What about relative to vehicle speed instead of engine speed?

Yea I’ve read through a bunch of threads on the tick but this seems different.

Yes the click is the same rate no matter what the RPMs are at or what speed I am going.

Pop the hood and check the cowl for debris. Might be a leaf or something trapped and rattling.

Does the clicking change with HVAC settings?

No it does not.

Dang, what runs the same speed no matter what the truck is doing?

There aren't many components that don't change speed with engine or vehicle... Maybe the air injection pump? I have no idea when the air injection pump runs, just brainstorming.

Maybe a pump with the new adaptive cruise type systems… sorry not up to speed on the new trick hardware.

Without hearing it, it's just a guessing game. Even with hearing it to some extent. Any chance of making a recording?

Beyond that, any dealership should a have a competent NVH Tech.

I've got something similar but it's definitely engine speed/load dependent. Also, it's more pronounced in hot weather with AC on. Pulling a trailer, steep inclines etc I can hear a definite buzzing noise in the 2-3K rpm range, once above 3500 rpm it disappears. The weird thing is I don't remember hearing this before they did the air bag recall. It may have very well been there all along but I've never noticed it. Dealership called it normal engine noise, no surprise there. It runs fine, no codes etc so I've kinda gotten used to it. 2016 SR5, just over 66K miles.

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I will try to capture the noise. At first I thought it was speaker interference, it is that faint.

I talked to another tech at the dealership and they are telling me it is a secondary pump making the noise. I am not knowledgeable on anything other than Jeep lifts, so I am not really sure what to take of this.

Watch Scotty Kimler channel

There is s special tool that can isolate noises

Cheap tool you can buy off Amazon..

Trial and error at this point..
If you are successful you can point the culprit to the dealer...

The air injection pump (into exhaust for emissions) is the only pump i know of that runs independent of engine speed and vehicle speed. Also, it is sometimes called the "secondary air injection pump". You might be able to have a friend press the throttle in park up to 2k rpm or whatever and use a stethoscope against the air pump to see if it aligns with what you are hearing. A screwdriver to the pump and to your ear works well.

Does it do it if just revving the engine while stationary? If so, you could have someone cycle the throttle while you go to different areas of the truck.

Re the secondary pump, is that fuel pump? If so, I could see this being the source of the sound. Maybe new evap system changes in the latest edition?