my car has been ticking for awhile now, at first I thought that it could either be the lifters or the fuel injectors (I've added some fuel injector cleaner as an added precaution). But the sound is coming from underneath. What sound is that? Car has been maintained regularly and runs great...the sound is just annoying.

sounds is like this: tick...tick...tick...tick...tick, at idle and is quite loud

My friend says its normal, but I've driven an LS with same engine and it makes none of that sound. I don't think it's the fuel injectors because it doesn't make ticktickticktickticktickticktick sound

 

Maybe an exhaust related issue from the exhaust manifold, cat, or heat shields.

 

Maybe check the engine mounts too. It could be that the engine is rocking slightly back and forth at idle.

 

valve tick?

 

that's what I first thought...but I popped the hood and the sound does not seem to coming from inside the engine...

TheMole: I just did a complete dual exhaust from the headers back...i thought a first it was the cats, but since mine are now brand new...maybe something else??

OneJay: I will check that, the ticking goes faster as I open the throttle.

Maybe I can record a sound clip...very weird, does not sound like a valve or fuel injector tick...kinda sounds like a poorly maintained engine or a truck engine

 

+1 on valve tick. Or starting of rod knock muhahahahah. J/K That or there could be a issue with the mounting of your exaust and it is hitting something ever so slightly. Best thing to do is get the car on a lift if you can do it for free,put it on a car ramp,or jack stands. Start the car and see if you can pinpoint where the noise is coming from. If you have a automotive stethoscope that would be very helpful. Try to section the noise off from either the front,middle,back,or cabin area. Is your fan hitting the sheild possibly? Keep the updates coming......

 

check the heat shields on your exhaust...I had the same problem a long time ago.

 

it's the 1uz right? mine does it too and I researched it for some time to find out it is normal. it's just a timing tick from the valve shims getting worn.

 

valve adjustment could help maybe??? other 1UZ doesn't do that that I've come across, that's what pisses me off

 

if you pull the valve covers and adjust valves to spec, it should stop

 

Not quite as easy as it sounds...big PITA just by looking at the service manual for adjusting valve clearance.

 

its not that bad to do at all. the best way to do it is to have a lot of spare shims laying around. most toyota shims are same size and only vary in thickness. when i use to do shimming before i would bust out the bag of shims. probably hundreds of them.

as far as the work its pretty easy.

 

Have you checked your oil? It could be low. Just thought I would mention it, since no one else has yet.

 

5sp can you do a write up on valve clearance adjustment please?

 

my 97 sc300 has the same tick