Ticking noise on LC200 - Diagnostic help needed

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albertbadia

albertbadia

Joined
Feb 5, 2026
Threads
2
Messages
11
Location
Pyrenees
Hi everyone,

I am experiencing a rhythmic ticking noise in my Land Cruiser 200 and I am trying to identify the cause.

Important note: The video linked below is not my car, but I found it on YouTube and the noise is exactly the same as what I am hearing in mine.
Reference Video:

My Vehicle Details:
  • Mileage: 215,000 km.
  • Symptoms: The noise is most prominent between 1000 and 2000 RPM.
  • Deceleration: I also notice the sound for about 1 or 2 seconds right after letting off the accelerator when I'm above 2000 RPM.
Based on your experience with the 200 Series, does this specific behavior (noise during deceleration and in the 1k-2k range) point toward an exhaust manifold leak, injector issues, or perhaps something with the timing chain/valvetrain?

I would appreciate any insights before I take it in for service.

Thanks!
 
albertbadia said:
Hi everyone,

I am experiencing a rhythmic ticking noise in my Land Cruiser 200 and I am trying to identify the cause.

Important note: The video linked below is not my car, but I found it on YouTube and the noise is exactly the same as what I am hearing in mine.
Reference Video:

My Vehicle Details:
  • Mileage: 215,000 km.
  • Symptoms: The noise is most prominent between 1000 and 2000 RPM.
  • Deceleration: I also notice the sound for about 1 or 2 seconds right after letting off the accelerator when I'm above 2000 RPM.
Based on your experience with the 200 Series, does this specific behavior (noise during deceleration and in the 1k-2k range) point toward an exhaust manifold leak, injector issues, or perhaps something with the timing chain/valvetrain?

I would appreciate any insights before I take it in for service.

Thanks!
Click to expand...


Can you get a recording of yours? I can’t really hear anything definitive in that video.

Does it do this in neutral with no load? Cold? Hot? Idle?

That video sounds almost like lifter/adjuster or tensioner noise, but I’ve never heard it that loud from the driver’s seat…
 
GrouchyTech said:
Can you get a recording of yours? I can’t really hear anything definitive in that video.

Does it do this in neutral with no load? Cold? Hot? Idle?

That video sounds almost like lifter/adjuster or tensioner noise, but I’ve never heard it that loud from the driver’s seat…
Click to expand...
Thanks for the feedback. I'm working on getting a better quality recording for you guys. In the meantime, I’ve narrowed down exactly when it happens:
  • Load: It does not make the noise in neutral. It only happens when the engine is under load.
  • RPM Range: It’s most prominent between 1000 and 2000 RPM. Once I cross the 2000 RPM mark, the noise fades significantly and becomes almost imperceptible.
  • Deceleration behavior:
    - If I let off the throttle above 2000 RPM, the noise lingers for about 1 or 2 seconds before stopping.
    - If I let off the throttle below 2000 RPM, the noise stops instantly.​
 
albertbadia said:
Thanks for the feedback. I'm working on getting a better quality recording for you guys. In the meantime, I’ve narrowed down exactly when it happens:
  • Load: It does not make the noise in neutral. It only happens when the engine is under load.
  • RPM Range: It’s most prominent between 1000 and 2000 RPM. Once I cross the 2000 RPM mark, the noise fades significantly and becomes almost imperceptible.
  • Deceleration behavior:
    - If I let off the throttle above 2000 RPM, the noise lingers for about 1 or 2 seconds before stopping.
    - If I let off the throttle below 2000 RPM, the noise stops instantly.​
Click to expand...
That is helpful information.

What type and weight of engine oil do you use? Did this happen after an oil change or any other service or repair?
 
GrouchyTech said:
That is helpful information.

What type and weight of engine oil do you use? Did this happen after an oil change or any other service or repair?
Click to expand...
Thanks for the feedback, @GrouchyTech. Additional context:
  • Recent Maintenance: Less than 500km ago, I performed a full oil (and filter) change. I also dropped the oil pan to clean it and inspected/cleaned the oil pickup screen (oil pump pickup).
  • Oil Specs: I switched from Liqui Moly 5W30 to MOTUL 8100 X-Clean+ 5W-30.
  • Temperature Correlation: I’ve noticed a clear pattern related to ambient/operating temperature:
    • Morning Drive: 20km commute at 6-8ºC (43-46ºF) ambient temp. The noise is barely audible.
    • Afternoon Drive: Same 20km return trip, but at 20ºC (68ºF) ambient temp. The ticking becomes significantly louder and more intense.
The fact that it gets louder as the oil thins out (higher temp) and only happens under load makes me lean toward either an exhaust manifold leak (gaps expanding with heat) or perhaps something related to fuel trim/injectors once the ECU is in full closed-loop at operating temp.

Has anyone experienced a noise that intensifies specifically with warmer ambient temperatures?
 
It almost sounds oil starved... But you have good oil pressure. Did this noise begin immediately after your oil change?

Is there any vibration or does anything feel strange when this noise is happening versus when it is not?
 
GrouchyTech said:
It almost sounds oil starved... But you have good oil pressure. Did this noise begin immediately after your oil change?

Is there any vibration or does anything feel strange when this noise is happening versus when it is not?
Click to expand...
The oil pressure seems good to me.

The noise was already there before this recent oil change, and it didn't go away after the service. I also had an engine flush done during the process, but the sound persists.

I don't feel any vibration or anything else when the noise happens...
 
Any updates with this?

Have seen a fair few people with the same issue aswell as myself trying to solve it.

* Injectors replace no change to noise
Values are good, compression is good and even
No leaks from injector washers
*no blow buy drives great no issues
*Suction control valve change no change to noise
*All calibrations and piolt learns done still the same
*Boost leak checks done and ok
*Confirmed egr valves are not opening with a blank plate no change to noise
* lifter tick aditives / fresh oil no change
*Checked rubber gromet for steering column confirmed ok
*fuel pressure desired vs actual good
*maf sensor data as expected
*noted during dpf burn noise reduces
 
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