Constant ticking in engine on 03' Runner

[scott78945]

I am sure everyone has this problem, or so I was told. I have a 03' 4Runner V6 and it has a constant ticking in the engine everytime I accelerate. Has anyone ever found anything to fix this problem? I don't remember hearing it when I test drove the V8 but then some say that the V8 doesn't have that problem. I find it quite annoying. Suggestions? I have been using 93 octane gas as the dealer said that would minimize the ticking. Does everyone else do this also?

[ToyotaTech]

turn up your radio! no just playing it is your injectors the new v6 has more horsepower than the v8 yes that is true! u have more! I do not think that u have a problem with your vehicle.

[G5gyrl]

Is this still a problem in the 2004 v6 ?

[ToyotaTech]

No there is no problem at all some people can just hear things better than others. U may never hear anything at all because ur life style may be different then others ie. radio on , not really trying to fine something that maybe not there , enjoy ur vehicle it has the best company behind it

[Brian R.]

Either that or get a subjective opinion from a mechanic you trust outside of Toyota. It is easy to tell if it is injectors or not with a stethescope. Any car dealer has extremely poor hearing when it comes to hearing noises that may cost them time or money.

Other things can tick that shouldn't besides injectors (e.g., valves, exhaust manifold). Don't wait until you're beyond the factory warranty to find out your valves were incorrectly adjusted at the factory or your exhaust manifold leaks or is defective.

[ToyotaTech]

We get paid about the same to check noises out under warranty. The new v6 has a chain insted of a belt like the v8 so thee will be a little more noise from the engine then the old v6 but I think that i would take that over the old v6 because of the new HP. Talk to the shopforeman at your dealer he will comfort u on this.

[Conrad007]

I've got an '04 SR5 V6 and it has the same annoying tick in the engine. It sounds like a cheesy 4-banger when accelerating. Not only that, I popped the hood and you can DEFINITELY hear a noticeable ticking sound coming from the left side of the engine block while idling. This is likely some form of exhaust leak in the manifold seal area. Based on the amount of similar complaints in these forums, my guess is this is a KNOWN defect with the 4.0L V6. NO WAY should a 30k vehicle have this kind of symptom. I've had two Dodge trucks before this and NEVER had a problem with either one. This is a Toyota product, supposedly #1 in overall quality. I'm taking it back to the dealer tomorrow and demanding they do something about it. I'm probably going to get the 'nothing we can do about it' runaround, but if that's the case, the next step is to appeal to Toyota HQ. Only if enough of us squeak, will we get the oil. Side note: If we are forced to 'live with it'...I wonder if we could then 're-adjust' our purchase price, since we bought a defective product? I'm thinking reducing the price another 10k. Seriously, the tick is friggin' annoying, and considerably loud under acceleration....'normal' MY ASS.

[Brian R.]

I used to have an LT-1 small block chevy and it tapped with every valve opening. It sounded like shit, because I was used to a silent valve train, but ran great with tons of hp. Maybe you guys are making much ado about nothing. If it works, it works.

[scott78945]

I will agree with you to a certain degree. I agree that if it works it works. I have lived with it for 1 1/5 years now. My whole point is that spending $33k on a car, this shouldn't happen and the fact that there are more than a handful of people this happened to doesn't make me feel much better. That is my whole point. They claim it is normal but I have yet to hear it on any other 4Runner that I have test driven. Model years 2003, 2004 or 2005. All V6 and no sound. So I am unsure by whose standards that this is "normal"

[Brian R.]

I agree with you that the engine shouldn't make that noise, but the question you have to ask yourself is: How much aggravation and time am I willing to spend to get Toyota's attention and get the truck altered to stop making this noise? IMO, you should also take into account the fact that none of the trucks I have read about have had an engine malfunction that is attributable to this noise. It may be only an annoyance. The life of the engine may not be affected by the noisy part. To Toyota, you guys may be no different than the guy who brings his new car back because the driver's seat creaks, or because he hears the windshield wipers clunk.

I understand your concerns, but if it hasn't been proven to affect the life of the engine, or can't reasonable be argued that it will, they may consider this problem equal to the above problems.

You can be sure Toyota knows what is making this noise.

Just something to think about.

[scott78945]

I do agree with your comments. I am sure Toyota does know what is making the noise. What I don't understand is that if they know there are unhappy customers out there why would they not want to help them? Come spring I am turning mine in for something else. This annoyance just grinds on my nerves. Everytime I hit that damn gas peddle. It is now getting so loud that you can hear it in the cabin with all the windows closed. I have to keep on turning up the radio. It does also feel as if my engine does struggle a bit on acceleration. One can only hope for the engine to blow. Then maybe they will fix these problems. I would think they would want to fix them now instead of costing them more money later. I am taking my 4Runner back into the dealership tomrrow for the 5th time now for them to fix my VSC Trac and VSC Off lights on my dash, but that is now a whole different story...

[Brian R.]

I'm just guessing, but I think it is more profitable for them to put up with a few unhappy customers than to offer everyone with this noise a fix. As soon as they announce that they will fix it, everyone who even thinks they hear a noise in the engine will bring their truck to a dealer for warranty maintenance.

[scott78945]

Actually, the last dealer that I took it too actually pinpointed it to somewhere in the exhaust. I tend to agree with him because when the truck is in park it doesn't make any noises but as soon as you are in drive and hit the gas, you better close your ears. I am going to have them make sure everything is tight. I think I have a better chance of seeing God than them fixing it. I either have to put up with it or get out.

[Brian R.]

This supports the notion that it is a bad idea to buy a new vehicle before it has the bugs ironed out. This being a new engine fits this idea rather well.

[4Wheel]

It's surely not due to your lifestyle. Unless you can get Toyota to install a really nice 1500 WATT stereo system to mask it.

"If you can't open your doors the snow depth is just getting FUN!"