2007 V8 - Engine ticking

[HKTackDriver]

Hi guys, you've been really helpful with some of my recent questions, so I figured I'd ask you all what you think.

My 4th Gen 2007 Limited V8 has been pinging slightly under throttle. It has 107,000 miles on the clock and an unknown maintenance history. I'm not sure if it could be timing or tune up related, but was looking for your opinions. It's nothing significant, but something I was hoping could be addressed with a tune up or timing belt replacement.

Thoughts?

 

[blackoutt]

Post a video with good sound for better help determining what the tick could be. Another possibility is cracking exhaust manifolds.

 

[EdmundGTP]

Exhaust manifold leak most likely.

 

[Billynath1988]

Also, just to rule it out .. change the pulse fuel regulator on top of the engine.. 10 minute job and 25 bucks. when they go bad they tick like an exhaust leak.
*dont lose the little washers that are on the original

 

[kingk0ng]

do you have enough oil? maybe do an oil change.

 

[07V8]

Pinging as is pre-detonation/knocking or just ticking?

The V8 ticks at idle and is easy to hear when driving next to a guard wall with the window down. This is a VERY diffferent noise than cracked exhaust manifolds which is much more of a clapping noise.

 

[snowboardwcu]

Pinging as is pre-detonation/knocking or just ticking?

The V8 ticks at idle and is easy to hear when driving next to a guard wall with the window down. This is a VERY diffferent noise than cracked exhaust manifolds which is much more of a clapping noise.

so ticking is normal while clapping is bad? mines always ticked and i figured it was cracked manifolds. good to know.

 

[07V8]

so ticking is normal while clapping is bad? mines always ticked and i figured it was cracked manifolds. good to know.

That's the way I can describe it. You can't hear the ticking from a few yards away. You can definitely hear the "clapping", though.

 

[loarmistead]

The V8 can let out an audible "tick-tick-tick-tick" at idle. Both my GX and 4R do it. As long as it sounds like a "top end" noise it's fine. Agreed a cracked manifold will be more noticeable and, if like my older non-Toyota trucks, will be audible from inside the cabin under acceleration, and will sound like it's coming from the "bottom end."

 

[delucat2]

2003 v8 217k miles. No variable valve timing this year.

I have a noticeable tick when cold. Goes away when warm. Very slight noise, but it is there. I chalk it up to the manifold. Would not go in there unless some other problem required it.

 

[HKTackDriver]

It's really not a sound I hear at idle or under moderate acceleration. Only while pushing it hard. Exhaust manifold would make sense. I'll see if I can get it on video and post it up. I just figured it was predetonation due to it happening while accelerating. Thanks for the responses, hopefully I can come up with a good video.

 

[blackoutt]

Are you running premium fuel? I swear I can hear the difference in between 87 and 93 octane in mine at wide open throttle but both have some tapping sounds. Louder intake and exhaust helped me not hear it anymore.

 

[Phils4th]

There's no such thing as predetonation. Only detonation and pre-ignition. Detonation is when the plug fires the mixture and the increase in cylinder pressure lights off a separate section in the chamber, these two separate flames collide and can cause serious damage, usually destroying the piston and plug over time. Detonation can be seen as light grey specks or flakes on the insulator of the plug. That's aluminum from the piston. It usually only happens at full throttle when combustion pressures are at their maximum. Pre-ignition is when the mixture lights off before plug. This can be from carbon buildup that creates a hot spot.

Check the plugs, they'll tell you the whole story.

Meanwhile, try premium or mid grade fuel from a different station if you think you have detonation or pre ignition. The knock sensor could also be bad causing the ecu to not retard total timing, causing detonation.

Otherwise, it's probably just valve train noise which is relatively normal. Lots of action going on under the valve covers.

You can try to witness a cracked manifold by the soot streaks coming from the leak.

 

[catrains]

It's really not a sound I hear at idle or under moderate acceleration. Only while pushing it hard. Exhaust manifold would make sense. I'll see if I can get it on video and post it up. I just figured it was predetonation due to it happening while accelerating. Thanks for the responses, hopefully I can come up with a good video.

you have V8 engine with a belt that requires replacing at around 110K miles... it the belt is causing too much advanced timing that would do it .

scan tool will show what the timing is .. I would replace belt or trade it in.

 

[Bob22222]

I would describe the sound of pinging as like marbles rattling in a dull or sound deadening can. Or whe cars did ping that's often was a common descriptor.

 

[Phils4th]

you have V8 engine with a belt that requires replacing at around 110K miles... it the belt is causing too much advanced timing that would do it .

scan tool will show what the timing is .. I would replace belt or trade it in.

Wouldn't an old timing belt that is stretched retard valve timing instead of advance it? Retarded valve timing would decrease compression and prevent detonation.

 

[catrains]

Wouldn't an old timing belt that is stretched retard valve timing instead of advance it? Retarded valve timing would decrease compression and prevent detonation.

like I SAID scan tool to see how the timing is [MENTION=48966].....[/MENTION]......if timing it proper then you move on to other items like low /restricted fuel , intake manifold .. then again a scan tool will also show this if you do have these issues as well as improper timing..

you have to find out what's up with your vehicle not what others have guessed at... .. guessing is expensive and time consuming .

observing the engine sensors operation will reveal most times what is wrong.

 

[HKTackDriver]

Obviously I wouldn't ask you to diagnose - just provide suggestions on where to focus my energies first. My main goal in asking was to determine whether you guys would peer pressure me into doing the timing belt. :thumb:

 

[GLP]

Only time I have had ticking on my 04 V8 it ended up being the oil filter. I was using a high filtration oil filter (Purolator Pure One or Premium Plus) causing too high of a pressure drop across the filter and thus lifter ticking. I switched to Toyota filter and it went away and never came back. Of course Toyota is not the only filter where I don't get ticking. In fact I think the Purolator is the only one that did. Maybe not your problem but easy fix if it is.

Like others have said it could be the exhaust manifold. I think it would tick louder when cold, but I haven't had this problem so I'm not an expert on it.

I'm pretty sure it's not your TB. Changed mine at 140k and no ticking. My belt appeared to be in excellent condition.

 

[JeratBP]

I’ve got the ticking sound in my ‘05 V8, I only notice it coming from the passenger side while driving by any wall/building.

Were there any pics of what I should be looking for?

I use the Toyota OEM filters and Mobil 1 High Mileage oil. I can try switching to premium gas next time I refill.