Engine Area Ticking Noises
 

Hi everyone,

I’m noticing a ticking noise from my 2017 Lexus GX 460’s engine when the hood is opened, otherwise I don’t hear any ticking when it’s closed.

It’s got just over 31,700 miles (pretty low mileage) and it had a full inspection run by Lexus when I bought it a few months ago which came out with good results.

I’ve read that the Lexus DI engines tick but the GX 460 motor is not DI as far as I understand, so is the ticking normal and why does it tick?

Here is a video clip of the engine sound with ticking:

I don't hear anything abnormal on the video, the ticking is probably the injectors. Take the plastic cover off, get a mechanic's stethoscope and check where the ticking is coming from if you are concerned. These engines go beyond 200k miles if maintained so at 37k the chances of having mechanical problems is quite slim.

Need diagnosis help: engine ticking.
 

Hey guys, how common are manifold leaks on the 460? My 2013 has 73k miles and I've noticed a ticking sound coming from the drivers side of the engine; it almost sounds like an exhaust leak but I only hear this when my front windows are down at lower speeds and low throttle input (can't tell if happening at higher speeds due to wind drowning out the sound). No ticking sound at idle or revving in park, etc. I can't hear this with the windows up either. Also only happens after the engine is warm so thinking it’s not an exhaust leak..

I changed my oil just prior to hearing this sound with 0-20W Mobil 1 Extended Performance but am not sure the sound occurred as a result of the oil change. I live in Southern AZ and I've had my windows up all summer. Some say Toyota engines are picky with oil types and could be lifter noise? I saw a thread while researching (on FaceBook) that indicated some people have loose spark plugs that were the culprit of this ticking sound. So, being that the GX is newish to me I went ahead and put in some new NGK's but the problem persists. Perhaps its a timing chain related issue or bad fuel injector? I don't have any check engine lights and it seems to drive normally for a heavy pig with 300 HP.

Video #1

Video #2

Don't recall that.

Sounds like it’s more common with the 5.7’s.

I had a similar sound, although slightly louder, on a different vehicle. In that case it was the transmission. I never bothered to fix it, I just slightly pressed on the gas while at stoplights.

Brand New GX -- Ticking/Sewing Machine Sound When Accelerating
 

Hi all,

Just picked up a brand new GX460 and I've noticed that when I'm accelerating (particularly under load) I hear a ticking noise that sounds most similar to a sewing machine coming from the left/front area. The sound almost has a metallic tone to it and it's really rapid. The engine also has to be completely warm before it starts to happen. I took it in to have it looked at and the first time they of course told me they couldn't replicate it and then I asked them to try again under more specific conditions and they heard it but said it's totally normal. The tech drove another GX to compare and said it makes the same sound. I took some videos but you need to listen really closely to hear it in them as the sound is tough to hear behind the background noise. It's much louder and more noticeable in person. Can anyone shed any light on this? Or maybe it really is normal for this engine? Thanks everyone.

I don't hear it....

It's definitely hard to hear in the videos. Gotta listen really closely. Easier to hear in the longer of the two videos.

I don’t hear it.

I listened with headphones. Sounds like a beautifully running V8 to me.

Not hearing it either, but given that these engines are running a timing chain, and not a belt, there will be some noise from that - my Tacoma has the same thing, sounds like someone operating a sewing machine in just the right instances, more noticeable with the windows down and trees/buildings on the sides of the vehicle. I have another vehicle with a timing chain, and it also has a similar sound, I do believe it is normal. Hopefully that's all it is.

Best,
Greg

I heard it today. I drove about 3 miles and parked it in a parking lot, heard the sewing machine noise. When I drove back I heard the same noise when it was running. It sounded like drive belt rattling. I am
not concerned.

Thanks everyone for the replies.

I agree in the original videos it’s very hard to hear so I took another that’s much clearer.

I uploaded two side by side…one where you can’t hear the sound (because the engine block isn’t fully warmed up yet) and another where it’s very clear.

It’s really driving me nuts because as clearly as you can hear it in the new video I hear it 10x worse physically sitting in the vehicle. Something sounds really off.

Ask the dealer if you can test drive another GX.. see if you hear it on that as well..