tic tic tic tic

[phgadd]

I have a 99 Runner with the V6, and I'm closing in on 200K miles. When I step on the gas, I'm starting to hear a "tic tic tic tic" from what sounds like where the front passengers feet should be. It isn't there all the time, and when it does happen, it occurs when I load up the engine by accelerating.

Any ideas what it might be? Fuel pump, or maybe a bad valve?

 

[The Dude]

Does it happen only when you're turning? Might be your cv joint?

 

[phgadd]

Nope, it doesn't happen when I'm turning. And it doesn't happen when I'm driving at a steady speed. And it doesn't vary with the speed I'm driving. It only happens when I hit the gas. And the harder I hit the gas, the closer together the tic-tic-tic-tic gets.

I seem to recall something like this happening to me about 30 years ago in another vehicle, and the fuel pump eventually failed with that one. And I don't really want to be anywhere out of walking distance and have my Runner die on me! But vehicles (Especially Toyota's, neh?) have come a looooong way since then, so I was wondering if anybody else had run into this sort of problem.

Has anybody have this happen to their Runner?

 

[gapboi210]

if it was 30 years ago it was probably a mechanical fuel pump. so it would not be that on a 4runner. i would get under there and see if u can see anything moving...maybe the exhaust hitting the body or something rattling. vibration from the motor might be causing something loose to rattle.

 

[shootmymime]

well my bosses ford pictup truck has an exzost leak and it sounds to be a tic tic tic when you acc... but its even if you bairly, bairly touch the gas.
i would just get under her and check it out
well there is my 2 cents worth

 

[gapboi210]

that reminds me, my bid has a f-150 and he has an exhaust leak also and it sounds like a tic or rattle. so +1 to shootmymime's guess.

 

[gizmopt2002]

Thats funny you mention the fuel pump. because I just bought a '95 and while I was putting stuff in I noticed that there was a PVC Valve and a fuel pump in new packaging.

 

[phgadd]

Well, I finally took it in. I took a tech out for a test drive, and he heard exactly what I was talking about. The dealer had it for about 4 hours. Put two techs on it. They looked at everything they could thing of: exhaust manifold, missing grommets in the firewall, loose anything. They found nothing. Absolutely nothing.

They told me my Runner had almost 200 K miles on it, so putting any more time into researching the problem waas pretty much of a waste. Especially since it is running strong.

Their last word? Maybe it's somesort of metal fatigue. Just keep driving it. If it breaks, then we'll know what the problem was!

I mean, what is this? A Ford or Chevy or something? I am sooooooo frustrated!

 

[gapboi210]

i agree with the dealership, if the mechanicals check out and it is running good then i wouldn't worry._ it does have 200K miles so it's gonna develop some squeeks and rattles.

 

[neliconcept]

i agree with the dealership, if the mechanicals check out and it is running good then i wouldn't worry._ it does have 200K miles so it's gonna develop some squeeks and rattles.

not good advice at all

if its something you can feel, it is absolutely not fatigue

i garuntee its your CVs and CVs do not only click turning, they click when going straight, mainly due to ADD , they turn when driving even though not powered, reason they have premature wear on the boots.

get those checked out by somebody other then that re****ed dealership.

 

[drmorbius]

Since we're all guessing anyway- you say this happens only under acceleration so my guess is bad motor/transmission mounts.

 

[gapboi210]

does it go with rpms or vehicle speed? try throwing it in neutral when u hear it and give it gas, see if the sound speeds up

 

[phgadd]

When I took the tech out for a drive, we tried a lot of things, including reving it in neutral at a dead stop. The tic tic tic is definitely related to both rpm's (above 2000) and how hard the engine is loaded up. At any given rpm, if I'm cruising at a steady speed, nothing. But if I step on the gas or go up a steep hill, the tic tic tic starts.

Strange . . . Very very strange.

 

[brad6841]

Wow I would have guessed exhaust leak right away.....and if that wasn't it I would go with a valve tapping......

 

[Bob_VT]

Had the same (or similar) tic in my 2000 Taco..... it was the EGR system. A tech at work told me it is harmless and not worth repairing. It is common and does it sound like a person tapping a pencil lightly? That may be it..... If it is loud get it checked it might be something else.

 

[phgadd]

Well, I just thought I'd let everybody know how the tic tic tic issue resolved itself (I hope, anyway.). Shortly after my last response, the check engine light came on. I was HOPING it was just an oxygen sensor or something, but it turned out to be both catalytic convertors!

I had both convertors replaced, and the tic tic tic stopped. I thought I'd wait a bit before I posted just to see if it returned, but so far it hasn't. YES!

Sooooo . . . if ya get a strange tic tic ticking noise, consider the catalytic convertors as a possible (and costly!)cause!

Thanks to all for your assistance!