Ticking issue (Not Solved - Updated) (2 Viewers)

[Phallen]

Hi Mudders,

Some I am having a bit of an issue. I’m hearing a ticking noise when I am driving that sounds like it is coming from underneath the car or the engine bay. I can’t simulate it when the vehicle is parked and i add a little bit of gas. I initially thought it was an exhaust leak so I replaced a few exhaust gaskets along the piping that failed. I further inspected the exhaust piping and it’s in good shape.

Since I can’t recreate the ticking without driving, I am at a loss on where to go from here.

Any Mudders experience this?

 

[AK Wes]

Exhaust manifolds most likely!

Tons of threads on it, but here is one of them: 100 series exhaust manifold - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/100-series-exhaust-manifold.1188171/

 

[2001LC]

Not much info to go on. But here's a strong possibility for tick that "sound" is much like exhaust leak:

Ticking time bomb TICK TICK TICK: Spark plugs Alert Alert Alert!

TICK TICK TICK POP POP POP is a ticking time bomb, often mistaken as exhaust manifold crack or gasket leak leak. ALERT, ALERT, ALERT: Spark plugs are working themselves loose. "Walking Out" Then blowing out of head, taking their female threads of head with them! Very damaging! You think TICK...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[Phallen]

Exhaust manifolds most likely!

Tons of threads on it, but here is one of them: 100 series exhaust manifold - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/100-series-exhaust-manifold.1188171/

Thank you, @AK Wes. I’ll definitely look into it

Not much info to go on. But here's a strong possibility for tick that "sound" is much like exhaust leak:

Ticking time bomb TICK TICK TICK: Spark plugs Alert Alert Alert!

TICK TICK TICK POP POP POP is a ticking time bomb, often mistaken as exhaust manifold crack or gasket leak leak. ALERT, ALERT, ALERT: Spark plugs are working themselves loose. "Walking Out" Then blowing out of head, taking their female threads of head with them! Very damaging! You think TICK...

forum.ih8mud.com

@2001LC I haven’t replaced the plugs since I got the rig. I’ll definitely TCO this Thursday / Friday.

 

[Dparo]

My tick disappeared with the installation of DT headers. The manifolds had already had a weld overlay done in an attempt to stop it. Use Toyota gaskets.

 

[Phallen]

Today, I replaced the spark plugs with Denso. Went pretty smooth. I took photos of the plugs and one of the ignition coils. 3 of the 8 ignition coils were brown at the end were it plugged into the spark plug. Any idea what this means? In the photo, I placed an X by the old spark plugs that were connected to the 3 ignition coils. I should note while removing the spark plugs every single one was loose, some more than others.


Side note, I still have the ticking noise. Next, I’ll have the headers inspected

 

[awesomeissquid]

The loose spark plugs were likely letting combustion gases past. This cause the boots of the coils to get burned.

 

[NE Snowman]

2UZ header tick, is it much louder under load? Does it get quieter as the headers warm up?

I have a 4R 2uz and our headers are smashed in there, mine is loud enough I hear it when I start my truck cold and under load I can hear it with windows down and riding next to objects. It’s been that way since I bought it, no plans to address it but I’m selling the 4R soon.

Drive next to a long building and see if you can make it louder by puttting more load on the engine.

 

[Phallen]

2UZ header tick, is it much louder under load? Does it get quieter as the headers warm up?

I have a 4R 2uz and our headers are smashed in there, mine is loud enough I hear it when I start my truck cold and under load I can hear it with windows down and riding next to objects. It’s been that way since I bought it, no plans to address it but I’m selling the 4R soon.

Drive next to a long building and see if you can make it louder by puttting more load on the engine.

It definitely gets louder under load and with the windows down, you can really hear the ticking while driving next to other cars, barriers, or any other large object. It looks like it is pointing towards the headers or the manifold.

 

[AK Wes]

It definitely gets louder under load and with the windows down, you can really hear the ticking while driving next to other cars, barriers, or any other large object. It looks like it is pointing towards the headers or the manifold.

It's not the end of the world if your headers have some small cracks and you hear that ticking noise...... Mine have been like that for many years, I just haven't wanted to spend the cash to replace them or the time to replace them, if I decide to tackle the job myself. I have done all the work on my cruiser myself, but that job looks like a pain in the ass.

I have been waiting until more serious issues happen with the headers to replace them, as I hear this is a problem that will likely come back over time.

 

[abuck99]

Plug tech here: Spark Plug Basics - NGK Spark Plugs - https://ngksparkplugs.com/en/resources/spark-plug-basics

5 Things You Should Know About Spark Plugs

The five things you should know about spark plugs include information on anti-seize, corona stain, gapping fine wire, torque and copper spark plugs.

ngksparkplugs.com

Can’t recall hearing about any header leaks due to cracked welds on VVT engines- mostly early model years up to 02- but anything is possible


Check fuel trims long term & short term- looking for lean condition

Re-inspect entire exhaust system- from header to exhaust : 02 sensors, unions, muffler

Consider a smoke test- to confirm leak free

 

[Phallen]

Update:

I just had a local exhaust shop take a look at the Cruiser. They said the Y-pipe between the rear muffler and the catalytic converters was cracked and quoted me $793.38 to replace. They further said the muffler (their part no. 279-773) would not be available for a week or two. This is something I would replace. I figured I would have them locate and identify the crack. The crappy part is I had the exhaust and muffler replaced a year or two ago.

The shop was very decent and initially was going to charge me a $50 inspection fee but waived it in the end.

Tonight I’ll reinspect the exhaust to see if I can locate the leak in the Y pipe.

Does anyone recommend a decent brand y-pipe / muffler set? I initially looked at Borla when I looked a year ago but ultimately decided against it because of price…. But “buy once, cry once”

 

[Slickspawn]

Seems like you could just get a cat back system for that. My price frame of reference may be way off…

 

[Phallen]

Seems like you could just get a cat back system for that. My price frame of reference may be way off…

I agree. I found a cat back exhaust system through UPSW. Seems decent.

 

[2001LC]

Before I get to involved with diagnosing a cracked exhaust header or leaking header gasket. I always check the spark plugs. Once plugs done. If tick still there, I move to headers.

I have found a cracked header on an 03LX w/315K miles, w/Oct 2002 build date.

I now know of two 2UZ VVT (06 and 07)) with header tick on DS. Yet to pull those, so don't know if cracked header or gasket leak. But tick still present after spark plugs replaced. In one case the 06, it did have a loosen spark plug tick when engine warm, and still ticks when cold after plug replaced. Seems it has/had, both exhaust and spark plug walk-out tick.

Very easy to see which plugs were walking, and which (#5) was blowing the most hot combustion gasses past the plug threads even after warm up. #6 was only blowing gasses during cold start.

 

[abuck99]

“tick” is subjective very hard to diagnose from a keyboard- could be fuel damper, could be noisy fuel injector(s), could be valvetrain, or log gasket, etc.

Best you can do is find a trustworthy ear to help you diagnose in person-

 

[Phallen]

update:

Two days ago, i saw water drops leaking from one of the exhaust gaskets between one of the cats and the muffler. I realized I missed replacing that one and quickly remedied it. Now I’ve noticed ticking sounds a quieter but is still there.

I drove around the block with my head hanging out of the driver’s window like a dog in heat, trying to listen for the source of the ticking. It still sounds like it is coming from the front of the car.

I bought some exhaust repair puddy for $10 to use on the leak / crack, once I find it. If the puddy fixes the tick, then I’ll pick up the cat
Back exhaust as a permanent solution. If not, then I only wasted $10