Intermittent tapping noise?

Hello

Heard some odd tapping on my 2007 5.7 tundra the last few days. Winter is here and it’s sitting anywhere between -10 to -5C overnight.

I have attached a link to the video. It is difficult to hear but sounds similar to a sewing machine. Seems to come and go, I poked around with a mechanics stethoscope but cannot find source. It sounds louder on the drivers side.

https://youtube.com/shorts/_VJSKZDKo7o?si=SJpEiAej4rdIxdR8

thank you for any advice

 

Condenser microphones are horrible for this type of task but my vote is injector pintle noise.

 

Sounds like a Toyota truck engine. I've had three different ones since 1985 and they all (4, 6 & 8 cylinder) have sounded that way. Including the 2017 Tundy.

 

Timing chain tensioner on driver side.Common issue.

 

I have uploaded an additional video

https://youtube.com/shorts/F8-t_yCkEIE?si=H3SZ-hz7soltumly

hey, this morning it was much louder. I let the engine run for about 10 minutes (it was -10C) then reved the engine. The noise got quieter with engine reving and then got louder at lower rpm’s. After driving the truck 15 minutes the noise was completely gone. I am leaning towards weak/plugged tensioner on the drivers side as you indicated.

does anyone know if a hot flush can help this? Seems like some people have issues with it on cold start and it goes away. There is the other people that have it all the time, even when hot. I am wondering if the oil passage or plunger is gummed up!?


This is an older tundra with approx 240k kms on the engine. I baby it and do oil every 5-8k kms.

thanks for replies so far

 

Update

I took the oil filler cover off. It’s definitely the timing chain tensioner. The chain guide is rattling back and fourth.

What I don’t understand is it seems intermittent. Hot, cold, doesn’t seam to care.

Wondering if an oil flush/seafoam treatment would be worth a shot before sinking time and money into it

thanks everyone