Cold start valve noise

Started noticing what sounds like some valve noise on my 2UZ for the first few seconds after a cold weather start (below 30°). Running 5w-30 Castrol conventional.
This pretty normal? Should I bump up to a 10w-30?

 

When was the last time you've had the timing belt, pulleys, water pump and tensioner replaced? It may be that the tensioner is bleeding down allowing some deviation in valve timing.

 

Just bought the truck in May so I'm not sure when it was done last. Has 150k on it so I'm hoping it's been done at least once. I'm getting paranoid about it though and will be replacing all that this year. I can't afford to grenade the engine...

 

Are you sure it is valve noise? 1st gens can get small cracks in the exhaust manifold that causes a "ticking sound" when cold. Mine has done it for several years....goes away when it warms up.

 

Lucas Upper Cylinder Treatment can't hurt. Quieted my valves on my Taco in AK during winter months. (-20 at times for days on end and no engine heater block). I use Motor Kote in my Tundra now. It works great, but pricey. Remember Motor Kote is not a additive. Will not displace fluid and is not witches brew. Really works.

 

No I'm not. In fact I'm starting to lean that direction.

Matluth, I've done sea foam.

 

I've tried it. $8 bucks a can. SeaFoam did not help much with valve ticks. SeaFoam is border line witches brew IMHO. Doesn't suck but won't waste my money on it again. Similar to "Mystery Oil" which is pretty much 90% mineral oil. No mystery at all.

 

Hmm maybe I'll give Lucas a try. Same application via brake booster line?

 

If you go the Lucas Upper Cylinder additive route, pour in the gas tank per instructions. Definitely quiets 32 valves in super cold temps. I know from actual experience. Motor Kote is poured right into your crank case. Will not displace oil. Motor Kote is made of a super low friction chemical makeup. Well worth the money. Used by most if not all NASCAR teams for a reason. To minimize friction which is an engines enemy. Don't confuse Motor Kote with "Slick 50" which is a witches brew additive that is not remotely the same.

And yes, you could have an exhaust manifold crack. Will definitely tick and go away after heating (expanding) up. By the way, a bad exhaust manifold gasket will cause the same ticking sound. It's basically an air tick.

 

I'll give it a try thanks!

 

Start using full synthetic oil - you may have varnished the tiny clearances in your lifters, the smallest tolerances your oil needs to get by to do its job. If you see dark oil fairly soon after changing it will show that cleaning process underway. Synthetic oil additives will clean these gaps and let the lifters fill fully as well as can be expected if it isn't too late.

Seafoam might foul your CAT going through the intake/exhaust. And some will try the quart-of-ATF-near-the-next-oil-change-interval trick and hope it loosens up the valvetrain. Dunno if these are a good idea or not.

 

This.
Mine has the same noise and recently my brother opened up the exhaust manifold and saw a few small holes. Took it to a local shop and welded for 30 bucks. No more ticking noise. I also noticed gas mileage improvement.