Ticking / Clicking Noise from Passenger Front at Idle

I noticed this noise around 5 days ago on a foggy and humid morning. I was parked with the engine running and went around to the passenger side to get something when I heard this clicking/ticking noise. Didn’t think much of it at the time but when I got home from work it was still doing it at idle. I attached a clip of the sound. I can’t detect any noise when I’m driving the truck. Only when it is at idle. Oil levels are good and the air conditioner is off when the noise is occurring.
Thanks in advance! You may have to unmute the sound on the video. Imgur is weird like that.

https://imgur.com/a/cusx7TY

 

Belt tensioner maybe? That or a bad bearing in a pulley. Others who know more will chime in.

 

The thing that is odd is that it’s intermittent. If it was a constant it would be easier to diagnose. It took me a few mins just to get that 10 seconds of video of the noise.

 

Sorry I can’t be more help, I’m E & I, not mechanical. If it was me, I would just continue to drive the shit out of it. Worst case scenario, you should still be under warranty.

 

I’ve had this motor in two tundras for 91k and 10k so far over the past 7 years.

They are noisy and loud, maybe quiet, also clunky and sometimes slappy.

I’ve had other Toyota motors, and believe me, this thing is no 22RE motor when it comes obscure sounds.

 

My 2015 SR5 TRD had this same ticking sound. Only ~28,000 miles.
I had used Mobil 1 oil which worked fine, but switched to Castrol GTX Magnatec mainly because of the good price on Amazon; ~$16.97 with subscription...great deal.
The tick has gone away!
Perhaps give it a try yourself.

Castrol GTX MAGNATEC 0W-20 Full Synthetic Motor Oi, 5 Quart

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00TS9ZW3Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_8pCcFb99M5SFX

 

I was thinking of maybe bringing it in next week just to have them give a listen to it.

 

that’s the first thing that came to mind. I did an oil change last month and switched to Amsoil XL 0w-20. I’d hate to dump $80 worth of oil but if I can’t get it figured out, I may just do that. I know these engines like to make some noise, but this one doesn’t seem normal to me.

 

Please keep us posted as to what you uncover and what solves it for you!
Thanks!

 

I’ll keep the thread updated for sure. Just a side note...went for a 30 mile drive and just got home. No clicking, clacking, tapping or any other noises so who the heck knows what’s going on.

 

Interesting....sticky lifter?!

 

Idk. I’m not sure if a sticky lifter would only stick intermittently. Maybe it’s time for another oil change with some OEM oil and go from there.

Also, it doesn’t increase or decrease with rpms

 

With reference to the clip you attached, are you talking about the very intermittent “thfftt” sound, which I think I hear 4 times in the duration of your recording? Or, are you referring to the constant knock knock knock knock knock sound throughout the sound sample?

 

That little “thfftt“ sound. It probably happens 4 times or so in that clip.

 

Yeah, I was thinking that’s what you were zeroing in on. I think all the oil related suggestions are referring to the general noisyness of this engine, of which there’s a pretty good discussion of here:

https://www.tundras.com/threads/2020-tundra-excessive-tick-knock.63480/

But, that’s not what you’re referring to. I think you’re right to have this listened to at the dealer, and I’m sorry to not be able to offer much help. A wild guess might be something with the the control of or a control valve of the air injection system, but purely a guess. Good luck, and please update if you do get it diagnosed.

 

Thanks for the thread link. I just went out and started it and let it idle for a few mins and no tick. Didn’t hear it at all yesterday as well so I’m not sure if I’m going to be able to replicate it for the service Dept. I wonder if the crazy humidity were dealing with right now could be a contributing factor. I hate to dump the oil but I think I’m gonna have the oil changed at the dealer as a starting point.

 

Maybe play the video you recorded for them?

 

I thought of that and probably will. It’s Hope I can get to talk to a tech and see what his/her opinion is. I’d hate to chase something that isn’t more than just my paranoia kicking in but I’m off for the week so spending a day to get some peace of mind is probably worth it

 

I think I’m also going to try a different gas station and use 91 octane.

 

Small update. Took the truck into town today for a 10 mile ride. When I parked, the ticking was present yet intermittent. I filled up with 93 octane, ran some errands and then headed home. Another 10 miles later and the ticking was much less evident and I couldn’t really pinpoint where it was coming rom due to it barely happening. It’s definitely coming from the passenger side of the engine and can be best heard in the wheel well. I’m gonna continue to fill with 93 octane and also do an oil change. I have some vacation time coming up in August so I’m gonna drive it till then and if the noise is still present, I’ll take it in for a check up.

I suffer from an anxiety Disorder so shit like this drives me nuts. I took a klonopin and now focusing my energy on something else. Sorry for the TMI but it’s tough to get shit like this out of my mind. I absolutely love this truck and it’s by far the nicest vehicle I have ever owned so I just want it to be a normal and reliable vehicle. I traded some comfort features found in other vehicles for the Toyota reliability.

Ok, end of my therapy session and thanks for listening

 

Mine is having the Alternator replaced as we speak as my noise was much worse than what I heard in your Video but was also only really local to the passenger side wheel well which is exactly where the alternator is.

Only 40K on mine but shitty parts have no predictable lifespan I guess either?

 

I’ll definitely bring that up when I bring it in to be looked at. Thanks for the input

 

I picked up the truck and my noise is entirely gone!

I have read a lot of posts here insisting that these engines are just noisy and that we should just accept it but it was driving me crazy and that reasoning makes little sense to me especially now!

My Mechanic thought the same thing and though it took him a while to Zero in on it he was certain that the altrernator bearings were the issue and it seems he was correct.

Thanks Igor!
Again!!!

 

Maybe you can use a mechanic's stethoscope to zero in on it.
I just got one at Harbor Freight for less than $5

$20 Lisle 52500 Mechanic's Stethoscope

https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-52500-Mechanics-Stethoscope/dp/B0002SQYSM

 

Ordered and thank you!

 

Mine makes the same sound. mine is definitely louder when the vehicles cold. From inside the cab the sound reminds my of a diesel when I put it into gear or under load. I got mine used with 200,000 miles on it. A Mechanic resealed the cam carrier and told me one of my tensioner arms was cracked. replaced it, but still hear the sound. Mine really sounds like its coming from around the exhaust up to the head (passenger side). still looking into it. Going to start with my exhaust header gasket and go from there.

 

When it’s cold out, I don’t hear it at all. It only happens when during the summer months. I brought it to my dealer and the tech thought it was the exhaust expanding and contracting. We went for a ride and I parked next to a wall where it could be heard well. He was quite confident that what he heard is what it was.