Ticking, slapping or what?

I grew up working on mopars (225 slant six, 318 & 340 v8s, 3.9 v6) then made a move to Toyota w/ a 2000 Tundra 3.4 work truck, then to a '06 double cab 4.7 in 2012 which now has 146k mi., 86k are mine and it's run like a top for most of them.

Except for the 3.9 all the mopars ended up needing valve/lifter work at some point or another, so I have a fairly good sense of what the symptoms sound/feel like. My 4.7 has developed similar symptoms over the last 20k, most noticeably heading into and during last year's boating season (I tow 4500lb boat trailer, about 2K per year)... quiet to loud ticking, depending on engine load. Can't hear it at idle; becomes audible but still pretty quiet cruising on flat roads under no real load; gets pretty loud under load, even without the trailer; then it's loud and struggles to generate power for hills w/ the trailer. Makes noise hot or cold, but appears to be louder as it warms up. Can't find any holes in the manifold, and the oil pressure appears to be normal. mechanic thinks it's the injectors making the noise. I disagree but here I am asking for advice.

So, am I wrong or is it valve adjustment/lifter time?? Thanks!

 

WELCOME

 

Might try a search. There is a known tick from a defective left exhaust manifold that is hard to locate at times. That is all I know. I am new to this version of Toyota truck.

 

Cracked exhaust manifold, I’m betting on cylinder 7, driver’s side rear cylinder, and it’s cracked around the inner flange on the tube.

Thanks to the heat shield and the 2 piece flange design it’s tough to find.

I’ve dealt with 2 ‘06’s that had this issue, both were cracked in the exact same place.

Not a very fun job.

 

Thanks guys I'll get the lamp and go hunting

 

Another ticking sound could be from the heat shieldcovers (becoming loose) around the exhaust pipe turns under your Tundra. I’ve remedied mine by purchasing stainless steel pipe clamps from the big box store. Fully undue the pipe clamp, wrap said clamp around shield, tighten the screw, ticking gone! Did two shields 5 years ago and its still holding strong.

 

Welcome from CO.