05 v8 Tundra Engine Noise

Hello,
Recently, I've been noticing tapping sounds in the engine. It happens intermittently when I start the engine. Most of the time, it starts without any noise, but when it does, I turn off the engine and restart it, and the sound is gone. It doesn't seem affected by the engine's temperature; it does it when it's hot or cold. The engine idles fine and runs well; no codes or misfires exist. If I drive it when the tapping sounds occur, the speed and tempo accelerate like the engine. I have just changed the oil (5w-20); it looks as it should after the recommended interval, but nothing indicates metal particles.
I don't know what bad injectors or exhaust leaks sound like, so if you have experienced this sound before, that would help point me in the right direction for a fix. I'm hoping it's not worse. Any help is appreciated; a video link to the sound is attached. Thank you!!

https://youtube.com/shorts/v3Ev3ZaQY88?feature=share

 

Pour in a quart of ATF and drive it a few 300 hundred miles or so, then change the oil. The detergents in the ATF will help clean and lube sticky parts and dissolve some varnish. If you notice some improvement, but still want more, feel okay to repeat the same, but only 1 quart each time.

 

Do you think it's a sticking part on the internals? And rule out exhaust leaks?

 

No, man…

Show me where ATF has greater detergency than engine oil. It doesn’t. Different application. Don’t do this.

OP, it’s hard to pinpoint the noise from your video. Please use the correct oil, which should be 5w30, in your case. At the very least, use engine oil.

I doubt the noise is oil related. Hard to tell from video, but sounds lift a “chuffing” sound….Doesn’t sound like lifters (more “ticky”) or timing chain (more “rattley” —- and 4.7 is timing belt anyway) or rod knock. Could be exhaust leak; hopefully nothing too serious, like a broken valve spring. In any case, better to get it diagnosed before catastrophic failure.

 

Hard to say without being there, but I have seen many abnormal cam/lifter/valve train noises eliminated with the method described. What have you got to lose? I assure you, I keep my vehicles for decades and I haven't caused them any harm nor have I ever had a sludge or varnish related failure.

Edit: If you try, please report your results here too. TIA

 

Heat up some clean ATF and use it as a cleaner on a dirty surface sometime. It does have detergents and dispersing properties that remove crud. You can research the subject further right here on the web and likely find lots of anecdotal evidence to support my affordable and harmless suggestion.

 

Thank you for the responses. I need to make a correction, I used the 5-30, and I had to double-check the trash can.

 

I understand your position. I respectfully disagree with the approach, especially considering there are better products that could achieve your intended result… for example, a short interval with a high-mileage 0w-20 engine oil. ATF has a very different purpose and operating environment than engine oil.

I’ve used diesel fuel to flush a Dodge slant-six with sticky lifters, but I wouldn’t recommend the practice to someone else because it’s just not a best-practice.

 

I've not tried adding ATF to the engine oil but have heard many old school mechanics talk about it. Luckily, we have some excellent motor oils formulated for cleaning without risking oil dilution, and that are designed to clean over time rather than sudden flush of gunk. A few I've used include:

- Valvoline Restore and Protect
- High Performance Lubricants Engine Cleaner
- Most high quality synthetic oils such as Mobile 1, Penzoil Platinum/Ultra Platinum, etc.

Except for HPL, you can pickup most quality oils at your local parts store or WallyWorld. HPL shipping is fast and reasonable, though. You just might fall down a rabbit hole...