Is my buddy’s truck gonna throw a rod?

Asking for a friend since he isn’t really into forums. Dealer says this is piston slap and is normal. Another friend who was a Toyota Tech doesn’t think it’s piston slap and has voiced concerns it’s a more serious issue.

2007 Tundra 5.7 with 96k miles.

Edit: the knocking sound, not the tick.

 

Dunno if it's piston slap or not. However, I am firmly convinced that "That's Normal" is taught as the default response during the Dealer 101 course. Use that as you will.

 

That sounds normal!!

 

This sound is new. It started about a month ago.

Edit: the knocking sound. Not the tick.

 

they do sound a bit like a diesel. tough to tell but sounds a bit noisier than usual.

 

get other mechanic opinions.

 

My 2018 with about 1,200 miles on it has the same pronounced "ticking" noise as the OP. Dealer says it is "normal", it seems loud to me with an engine that has hydraulics for the valve train. I'll change the oil with the Toyota oil in a few thousand miles to see if it makes any difference.

Dan

 

I’m talking about the knocking sound. It sounds like it’s coming from the bottom end of the motor.

I’m well aware of the Toyota tick.

 

I don’t use that advanced fuel economy stuff. I like the extended performance. I think that makes a difference.

 

Well, I'm new to the Tundra 5.7 liter engine, so I have not heard the "tick" on another truck yet. My wife's 2017 Sequoia (same engine) is quiet though. My engine sounds an awful lot like the sound in the video so I'm not sure what to think at this point.

Dan

 

My 2010 sounds identical. There are a lot of moving parts on the top of these engines. It noticeably changes tone dependent on engine temp and ambient temp.

 

I notice they ain't the quietest running engines. mine's a '17 5.7 It does quiet down when it warms up. Smooth as glass though. I kind figure an all aluminum engine may be a bit noisier, maybe? It's kind of like a cat purring, doesn't bother me now that I'm used to it. And I can't hear it the cab.

 

Get a stethoscope

 

The issue I'm having and I'm taking to the dealer for the third time tomorrow is it pronounced valve clatter at 3000 RPM with a light throttle. Seems to me that something in the variable valve timing is cutting oil pressure to the lifters which creates valve clatter making it sound like a old school flat tappet motor. Anyone else having this ?

of course the dealer responses have been anything from they don't hear it to its normal to asking me to try 92 octane. I've been around long enough to know what piston slap and pre-ignition sounds like and it's not any of that it sounds exactly like loose valves or collapsing lifters.

 

I have a light idle knocking noise in my 2013 with 75,000kms once its warmed up. I can hear the rattle on the top end when the RPM revs up to change gears as well. It started a couple of weeks ago. I took it to Toyota and they said not to worry about it for now, so I took it to an independent mechanic yesterday and I was told it's a rod bearing. Apparently, I will need a new (used) engine soon. That's just a meager $7000 installed. I bought the truck from a Toyota dealer about a month ago, but they wont honor anything.

Needless to say, that's the last Toyota that I, or any of my family will ever buy again. We were strong Toyota supporters up to this point....

 

Im guessing timing chain tensioner.
So through your research, how many 5.7 L rod bearing failures have you found? How many engine failures have you found?

Look I’m not saying you don’t have a problem, but your dealer said not to worry about it, and one mechanic told you you need an entire new engine. Yet all it is at this point is a noise. For starters you should pull your oil filter and inspect it yourself to see if there is actually metal shavings in it from your bearing. Look for gold flakes.

So you have one problem with your truck and suddenly you will no longer ever own another Toyota? I’ve owned all other brands. I guarantee you every single one of them can have a catastrophic failure as well. It happens. If you drive enough vehicles in your lifetime from different brands, you very likely will run into another failure from all of them. Maybe not. It’s luck of the draw. Shit happens.

Have fun in whatever you choose to get. Good luck. Peace!

 

(1) Individuals in the trade have financial interests in your decision, and are often less than honest in their assessment.
(2) Engine replacement will cost the same after total meltdown as it will before, so there's no reason to rush into a decision today.
(3) This is a perfect application for oil analysis. Catching a sample without doing a total oil change will be tricky but possible.