*VIDEO* Ticking Noise - Timing Chain Tensioner?

Has anybody heard this similar progressive tick from their truck on cold start?

https://youtu.be/aselm4oi3zQ

 

Yes, but not that loud. That definitely sounds like the tensioner. Usually, I think it is the right side facing.

Mine make a much quieter sound my similar ever since it was new. Piston slap. Its worse in the fall and spring of the year as the engine expands and contracts.

 

I spoke with a local shop owner whom owns a 5.7 tundra and has experienced the same thing.

He said his first approach to solving it was performing a hot oil flush (hot oil flush kits are factory sold by Toyota) and switching from 0w20 to 5w20 oil. Since then the sound has gone away in his truck.

I’ve booked mine in to perform what’s stated above this Friday. I’ll update the thread after that.

 

I wouldn't switch to 5w-20. These engines are designed to run on 0w-20. I've thought about it myself but do a little research on variable valve timing.

There have been tons of problems with motor oils and variable valve timing. That is why they're coming out with 0w-16 oil next year. To help with excessive wear in VVT. Toyota hasn't had any issues that I know of but BMW and others have.



https://www.streetdirectory.com/etoday/toyotas-vvti-system-explained-uuecje.html


Automakers have addressed this concern with something called "variable valve timing" (VVT). The Toyota Tundra's i-Force 5.7L V8, Toyota's newest VVT-i engine, has the ability to vary the timing of the valves in relation to engine speed. It does this by using engine oil pressure to move the camshaft slightly, so that more aggressive lobe designs are used when the engine is running at a higher rpm. By doing this, the i-Force V8 is able to run a camshaft profile that provides good fuel efficiency in every day driving, but is still able to churn out gobs of power when the pedal is pressed to the floor.

The dual VVT-i in the Tundra takes things a step further by allowing the exhaust and intake valves to open at the same time at very high RPMs in order to scavenge the airflow as much as possible. This all adds up to a V8 engine that produces 381 horsepower at 5600 rpm while still generating 401 lb-ft of torque at as low as 3600 rpm. Not only that, but in the 2 wheel drive models, the Tundra gets a respectable 20 miles per gallon on the highway. Perhaps most importantly, Toyota's variable valve timing system lets you have killer horsepower without getting killed at the gas pump.

 

OP did the hot oil flush by your mechanic solve the noise? mine does the exact same thing at 200k miles been doing it for the last 50k and it seems to be lasting longer with the higher mileage

 

Any update with the hot oil flush? Mine is doing the exact same thing but louder.

 

Didn’t help unfortunately

 

DANG. Thanks.

 

Can you post the parts they used for this? Not familiar with a Toyota Hot Flush. I am familiar with non/ toyota oil flushed and treatments.

 

I have a 2014 tundra with 5.7. I bought it CPO so it has 100k power train warranty. I have 99,700 miles. It started clicking really bad in July and its at the dealer now. They are replacing the timing chain, tensioners, vvti timing chain and an assortment of other parts. Grand total of $4,000. I had no idea how lucky I was. I can post my parts list when it comes back on Friday.

 

That is the timing chain tensioner. Usually the diver side one will fail causing the timing chain to flop around.

 

This Guy clearly is an armchair mechanic , who doesnt have a clue of whats really going on . Ive been seeing him spreading this misinformation on the engine oil subject all over this forum .

 

I had the same noise coming from my truck, which is a '14 with 5.7. It was getting worse, and I thought it was a gunked up lifter so I ran 3 cans of seafoam through it on three straight gas tanks, and it got better but only for a couple months. It still made the intermittent noise and started getting worse again. I have the CPO 100k powertrain warranty and I was at 99k so I took it to the dealer that I bought it from. They diagnosed a bad variable timing chain and the assembly that goes with it and fixed all that. It still didn't go away completely, so they got Toyota to approve the engine timing chain and everything that goes with it. All in it was $4200 and they gave me a rental car, I only had to pay a $50 deductible, and they had it for almost 2 weeks. They knew of 1 other Tundra with the same clicking and it was the same top end problem. Its a big dealer in San Diego too.

 

Nate, did you ever get this resolved? I have the exact same thing going on. I thought it was the belt tensioner and replaced it, but it still happens.

 

Yeah I ended up with a $2400 CAD bill from a mechanic. It was indeed the drivers side tensioner. He replaced a few other seals and such while he was in there.
14 hour job or something like that. I can pull the work order out and show you what all he said about it.

 

That would be great. If you didn’t have that fixed, would it have destroyed your motor?

thanks

 

Not likely. He showed me how much slack was in the chain but also said he has a customer with 600k kms on his 5.7 and the tensioner has been slapping for a long time so take that for what it’s worth.

The tensioner is actuated by a little plunger that works off oil pressure. When then plunger fails (always drivers side for some reason) the tensioner starts making noise at low rpm

 

Wow, yeah mine has 180k mikes as of this week. I was hoping to make it to 10 years before I bought another vehicle... maybe it will make it two more years.

 

I just watched a video on what’s involved replacing it. Looks like a heck of a job

 

I do plan on keeping the truck even after I buy another tundra or 4Runner though

 

Hey Nate I got a truck with the same issue. The mechanic for yours just replaced the tensioner, right? No chains or anything like that?

 

Sorry it took me so long to post this.

 

Thanks!

 

Yes, Thank you Nate G.

 

Hey Nate! My truck is also doing the same thing! Has the noise come back since the repair I’m considering getting it fixed

 

My truck is in the shop for the same noise/sound. I have a Toyota 125000 mile warranty. Truck has 109000 miles. I had it in the shop a few times for this issue and they couldn’t duplicate. I finally took a video and sent to them, and then took it in and they acknowledged the issue but couldn’t decide on the cause. They called in the Toyota rep who said to replace all the lifters. Truck has been in the shop over a week now. I am wondering if replacing the lifters will fix the issue. They may end up replacing the timing chain tensioner as well. Hope to get her back soon. They gave me a 4Runner to drive and it is okay, but I miss my Tundra.

 

sounds like the same noise as in this vid.

TOYOTA TUNDRA 5.7L ENGINE RATTLE. FIXED! - YouTube

 

Got my truck back today. They replaced 32 valve lifter assemblies and a lot of gaskets. I had them change out the sparkalators while they was in there. Truck sounds and runs great.

 

My 2015 Tundra 5.7 with 260km is making a similar sound. I think I’m seeing a trend here…tensioner, might as well replace everything at once if I’m paying for the time to access the area. Cost $2500+ CAD? Any good news?

 

40k kms later and all is well.