Very loud ticking. Dealer say its fine. With video.

Hello



i got my tundra with 110000miles from used car dealer.

it start making ticking noise after ~10 seconds after starting up cold engine. After that it keep making noise even if i restarts it while warm.

Noise goes away around 2k+ rpm but still can be heard through stethoscope on passenger side engine near valve cover and exhaust manifold loudest at cylinder 5 but 1,3 is also very loud.

Putting stethoscope on passenger side exhaust manifold makes equal sound as the side of valve cover.

Because of ticking noise i dropped my car off at toyota to see if they could figure it out. Charged me 600 dollars and told me its okay to drive.

From the dealer.
“ Noise sounds loudest on the bank 1 side, rear of engine. Removed valve cover and inspected valve clearance. Values are all within spec. No adjustment is needed. Replaced engine oil filter as the equipped filter was a low quality aftermarket part. No change. Inspected cylinders with a borescope. Found significant pitting caused by previous rust build-up in cylinder 5. This can occur when the engine has not run for extended periods of time, in a humid environment. Also noted fairly heavy scoring on the cylinder wall due to piston slap. Cylinder wall damage can only be remedied with engine block replacement. But there is no driveability problems caused by this. Repair is not really necessary. “

i also did compression test and 5,3 cylinder is at 155psi and rest are above 170.

i ordered smoke machine so i can check for leaks on manifold. Tried with shopvac but cant spray buttom side of the manifold.

Does the sound seem normal toyota ticks? Or loud compare to it? I can hear it 15ft away hood closed.

anything helps thanks!

 

See the DIY steering shaft seal thread to see if that’s part of your issue.

Although that tick is pretty loud so you may have more going on.

 

I suspect a manifold leak...

 

thats what i am thinking as well...

 

The 3.4L manifolds do crack, and tick after a while.

 

That sounds like valvetrain ticking to me. But I may still be scarred from my recent experience with my BILs GM 6.2. Normal “Toyota tick” in this gen of engines was a light valve train or fuel injector tick akin to a sewing machine sound. But all the valves and injectors make the same noise so it’s a smooth sound, not a single abrupt tick such as yours. A leak at the exhaust manifold could also give a perceive tick like that, just doesn’t sound like that to me through my headphones. In light of an obvious cylinder problem on number 5, would a head gasket issue possibly contribute to both the “rust from sitting” BS they told you and the lower compression and ticking noise? Toyota V6 engines have had head gasket issues (ahem, looking at you 3.slow), not sure how common in the 3.4 though.

 

@empty_lord would know better

 

The rusty cylinder wall stuff seems about right given the low mileage. Once again, low mileage on these trucks strikes ...

The cylinder wall scoring/damage is more disturbing IMHO. I'd be tempted to carry that report back to the dealer you bought from for a bit "WTF did you sell me here?!" and at least get them to pay the Toyota bill. Assuming the frame isn't rusty, of course.

 

Frame is squeaky clean. The used car dealer sold it to me as is. I thought it was normal "toyota tick" when I first picked it up.

I put stethoscope on the block/oil pan area and I can hear it as loud. Maybe this time I will trust the dealer that noise is happening because of damaged cylinders and drive it until it dies.

Maybe I made a mistake buying this car in this engine condition but I really wanted to get a 'bigger' truck with manual tranny. I guess if things go bad I will just swap out the engine.

 

so far head gasket seems fine to me.

I wish its just valves or exhaust leak but today when I put stethoscope on the block/oil pan area I could still hear it as loud as valve cover.

This is my first time in yearsssssss taking my car to a dealer. I just cant trust them enough.

 

I inspected today again with smoke machine but I do not see any sign of crack or leak from manifold. Maybe a hairline crack?

 

Why does one cylinder have rust in it

 

Mine does it too, same engine. Same as you described, after a cold start for a few seconds. I've had the sound for about 100,000 miles so I don't even pay any attention to it anymore. I don't have an exhaust leak and it makes about the same sound. I've heard a few others on this site say that have the sound too.

Can you get your hand close enough to feel for a burst of exhaust pressure?

Edit: I can't read, you said after 10 seconds after a cold start

 

I'm thinking piston slap on the bad cylinder. Run a batch of 10w-40 or 5w50. It that quiets it down you may be ok. If cylinder 5 compression tests ok you may not have any worries for a few hundred thousand miles. Chevy 4.8 and 5.3 have gone many, many miles with piston slap.

 

I am thinking about running 15w40 rotella and see what happens. I see some 4runner and tacoma owners running it. if it works probably switch to 5w during winter time.

 

most of the ticking videos i have seen on youtube seems like very light ticks. i guess its bit more comforting that i am not the one having the same problem.

 

probably sitting for very very long time...

 

Just one cylinder though. Maybe that cylinder had one of the valves open? Otherwise it’s a little suspicious