My engine seems to have developed a ticking noise coming from the front end. It's more pronounced after the engine warms up. I haven't noticed any difference in performance. Any ideas?
Ticking noise from the front of the engine (1FZ-FE)
- Thread starter Joe Link
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Could be belts. How old are they?
- Thread starter
- #3
The frequency sounds a little random to me. Maybe bearings in a component like the AC compressor, water pump, alternator, etc? Or exhaust leak.
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- #5
Thanks for the suggestion. I guess I could pull the belts and see.
inkpot
SILVER Star
Use a mechanics stethescope to isolate the noise? You can access the alternator, water pump, and both idler pulleys if your very careful about all the moving parts.
REKCUT
SILVER Star
A poor mans version is a long screwdriver or other solid item. Put ear to end and you can try and find out exactly where noise is coming from.
Try turning on the AC (assuming it works). Mine made a similar noise and Onur immediately identified it as the bearings in the AC. Made the ticking rattle when not engaged, quieted down when engaged.
I feel most certain that that is either the fan clutch or the water pump. Seeing as I just had a sound that was so much like that and it was my fan clutch. I can see in this video that yours does not look blue, so is that the "Factory original"? it looks just like mine did before I changed it.
When you start up the truck, do you hear a loud fan noise for about 10 seconds? I didn't until I changed my fan clutch.
I was able to slow mine down with just the edge of my thumb. Then hold it and spin it backwards without much issue. I could also deflect it, which caused some "ratcheting" sounds to be more pronounced.
Two ways to go - you can go ahead and grab a fan clutch (looks like you could use one anyway) and a water pump/gasket and do it all at the same time. Or you could do what I did which was gamble and just replace the fan clutch. My water-pump is fine I believe and not a very likely source of issues according to other posts on longer threads.
The nuts on that thing are soft like cheese. I recommend getting replacements from @NLXTACY because his are higher grade than what they sell at home depot.
When you start up the truck, do you hear a loud fan noise for about 10 seconds? I didn't until I changed my fan clutch.
I was able to slow mine down with just the edge of my thumb. Then hold it and spin it backwards without much issue. I could also deflect it, which caused some "ratcheting" sounds to be more pronounced.
Two ways to go - you can go ahead and grab a fan clutch (looks like you could use one anyway) and a water pump/gasket and do it all at the same time. Or you could do what I did which was gamble and just replace the fan clutch. My water-pump is fine I believe and not a very likely source of issues according to other posts on longer threads.
The nuts on that thing are soft like cheese. I recommend getting replacements from @NLXTACY because his are higher grade than what they sell at home depot.
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- #11
Thanks for all the replies guys, great community here. I'll give the auto stethoscope a try, I think I have one laying around somewhere.
Good call, I'll try that.
You know, I wouldn't be surprised if that were it, and I'm pretty sure it's the original one. I'm not sure about the loud fan noise at startup but I'll run out in a bit here and see. You tested yours with your thumb?
I'm an OEM fanboy
Good call, I'll try that.
You know, I wouldn't be surprised if that were it, and I'm pretty sure it's the original one. I'm not sure about the loud fan noise at startup but I'll run out in a bit here and see. You tested yours with your thumb?
I'm an OEM fanboy
- Thread starter
- #12
No difference with the AC on or off, and I do think I heard the loud fan noise on startup for a bit before it quieted down. It definitely seems to depend on either the temperature of the vehicle or whether I've driven it. I went out two hours ago and started it, noise was there. Went to lunch, ate, came out and checked it in the parking lot and it wasn't making the noise. Drove home, go out and listened, noise was there. Long shot but at the restaurant I was parked on a bit of an incline with the nose pointed up. I doubt that's anything but I felt it was worth mentioning.
If no change with AC on or off, it is less likely that it is the alternator and in my opinion very unlikely to be belts. The fan clutch is fluid filled and depending on temperature and magic it will affect how the clutch is rattling inside.
https://www.amazon.com/Aisin-FCT-004-Engine-Cooling-Clutch/dp/B00829HAV8
The FCT-004 is the same as factory without the Toyota logo. If you go this route, I highly suggest you invest in 6 point wrenches. My 12 point wrenches wrecked the nuts. I had 1 that I had to use a pipe wrench to get off after the 12 point, vice grips and cussing didn't work. Use a piece of thin but dense foam or cardboard against the radiator to protect the fins. You can loosen the fan shroud and work the fan out on the starboard side by gently pushing the shroud towards stern.
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- #14
Thanks for the info. Is there any way to test the fan clutch before replacing it? I hate throwing parts at issues.
I think before I do this it might be smart for me to pull the belts and see if that makes a difference, in order to eliminate the possibility that it might be something internal. Thoughts?
I am a technician at heart and I don't like just throwing parts at anything either. With this, the only testing I could do was to stop the fan while the motor was running and put a mechanics stethoscope on the clutch itself and listen. Do I recommend you do that, no. because if you're not comfortable with it, you could hurt yourself.
While I had the fan stopped I noticed I could wobble it on the shaft easily and that generated a "Growling" noise. The whole thing started because I heard what I described as a "Boiling sound" with a hint of "Chain dragged over objects" sound. Since I replaced the fan clutch that is gone.
Probe around your water-pump housing with a stethoscope and see if you hear the noise in there. I just heard the usual "Whirring" noise that I hear around the thermostat.
If you plan to replace your fan clutch - Source new nuts BEFORE you start and have them on hand. This is a great place to get them - 80 Series Fan Clutch Hardware
I had the same noise, pronounced after warm and settled idle. I replaced the water pump and the belts. Problem solved. I think it was the water pump bearing.
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- #17
No update yet. Figures as soon as I buy a stethoscope the noise goes away 
Ever figure out what the issue was?No update yet. Figures as soon as I buy a stethoscope the noise goes away
- Thread starter
- #19
I'm not certain what it was, but I replaced the water pump and fan clutch and the noise went away.
I just replaced my water pump, fan clutch and belts...got the same tapping noise. Going to tighten everything up a bit and see what happens. Thanks for keeping this thread open and updated.
