Need help identifying engine part

[mm05runner]

I took a picture of the following engine part that i need help identifying, it's located under the plastic engine cover. I've noticed a loud ticking sound coming from here after I drive the vehicle (doesn't tick when I initially start the car). seems to go away once I turn off the car and restart it again, but comes back after driving a short distance. The blue arrow points to the part.

 

[sonerick]

Saw this, it's in the area where your blue arrow points. I plan on doing this soon. Common annoyance on the v6.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/42542-v6-tick-tic-tap-noise-reduced.html

 

[TacMedic]

Thats your intake manifold

 

[mm05runner]

Thank you for your response. I will try to see if that solution works for me. And thanks for the identification of the part!

 

[mm05runner]

Saw this, it's in the area where your blue arrow points. I plan on doing this soon. Common annoyance on the v6.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/42542-v6-tick-tic-tap-noise-reduced.html

sonerick, I tried the fix mentioned in your link without any success. I'm wondering if it's from a malfunction in the intake manifold?

 

[Gadget]

That is not the intake manifold. That bolts to the intake manifold.

Toyota calls that the inlet surge tank. Most of us call it the intake plenum.

The ticking noise is likely the EVAP control valve on the side of it with the big hoses connected to it.

G

 

[sonerick]

That is not the intake manifold. That bolts to the intake manifold.

Toyota calls that the inlet surge tank. Most of us call it the intake plenum.

The ticking noise is likely the EVAP control valve on the side of it with the big hoses connected to it.

G

^correct. The fix I posted is to isolate that valve and [theoretically] reduce the tick-tap noise it causes.

sonerick, I tried the fix mentioned in your link without any success. I'm wondering if it's from a malfunction in the intake manifold?

^I haven't tried the fix yet myself, but I did read in that link that it doesn't work for everybody, unfortunately.

Your intake manifold should be fine, it serves to draw air into the engine and doesn't have any parts that would cause a the tick-tap noise. The ticking caused by the EVAP control valve is normal and I'm afraid that if the fix didn't work, there's not much you can do about it.

How is the car running otherwise? Is the noise constant? Can you hear it from the cabin? The only other ticking I can think of would be some valve noise or possibly piston slap.

Valve noise can sometimes be remedied by using an oil with a higher zinc content (high mileage engine oils) and piston slap is apparently normal during cold starts (at least for the V8).

 

[mm05runner]

^correct. The fix I posted is to isolate that valve and [theoretically] reduce the tick-tap noise it causes.



^I haven't tried the fix yet myself, but I did read in that link that it doesn't work for everybody, unfortunately.

Your intake manifold should be fine, it serves to draw air into the engine and doesn't have any parts that would cause a the tick-tap noise. The ticking caused by the EVAP control valve is normal and I'm afraid that if the fix didn't work, there's not much you can do about it.

How is the car running otherwise? Is the noise constant? Can you hear it from the cabin? The only other ticking I can think of would be some valve noise or possibly piston slap.

Valve noise can sometimes be remedied by using an oil with a higher zinc content (high mileage engine oils) and piston slap is apparently normal during cold starts (at least for the V8).

The car seems to be running fine, the noise does not start until after I drive the car. I can hear the noise from the cabin

 

[mm05runner]

I think I solved it! After the knocking-ticking noise started, I removed a connector (see picture - red arrow), and the ticking stopped. Then, I reconnected it back and the ticking started again. Could this be a faulty part?

 

[SkylineGTRracer]

This should help bro. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/42542-v6-tick-tic-tap-noise-reduced.html

 

[mm05runner]

That is not the intake manifold. That bolts to the intake manifold.

Toyota calls that the inlet surge tank. Most of us call it the intake plenum.

The ticking noise is likely the EVAP control valve on the side of it with the big hoses connected to it.

G

I think I solved it! After the knocking-ticking noise started, I removed a connector (see picture - red arrow), and the ticking stopped. Then, I reconnected it back and the ticking started again. Could this be a faulty part?

 

[sonerick]

I think I solved it! After the knocking-ticking noise started, I removed a connector (see picture - red arrow), and the ticking stopped. Then, I reconnected it back and the ticking started again. Could this be a faulty part?

I don't think it is a faulty part. By design, the Vacuum Switching Valve (VSV) frequently opens and closes to purge vapors off of the fuel tank (from what I understand, at least). So every time you hear the ticking, the valve is supposedly doing what it was intended to do. I would be more worried if you STOPPED hearing the ticking noise.

Now if you were to unplug that connector, shut off the truck, then restart it with the connector unplugged, I assume it would trigger at least one of the dash indicator lights (probably all three of the ones triggered by a faulty gas cap). I do not recommend leaving it unplugged.

I'm not sure what year Runner you have, but a replacement may be slightly quieter. This is purely speculation though. Mine is an '05 and it's loud enough that I can hear it from within the cabin at idle too (haven't tried the fix yet).

If you do end up replacing the part, please let us know if it is quieter.