Ticking sound WHEN IN DRIVE

[ronank]

Hi all, just picked up my first Toyota, a 2000 Land Cruiser. Test drove it when already warm in a louder area, and couldn’t hear a ticking sound while the car was hot and in park. But now I realize when the car is cold there’s a loud ticking coming from the exhaust manifold, yes I know the implications of this job, but it really is only loud when in drive. And it stays even in drive after the car is warm, granted it’s a good bit quieter. But here’s the thing, when in drive sitting still it ticks, but in park it doesn’t. Is this normal for the exhaust leak? I’m about to take the car on a 2 hour roadtrip to college, so I’d love some help. Thank you guys for all the assistance.

 

[AARONTLC]

Hi all, just picked up my first Toyota, a 2000 Land Cruiser. Test drove it when already warm in a louder area, and couldn’t hear a ticking sound while the car was hot and in park. But now I realize when the car is cold there’s a loud ticking coming from the exhaust manifold, yes I know the implications of this job, but it really is only loud when in drive. And it stays even in drive after the car is warm, granted it’s a good bit quieter. But here’s the thing, when in drive sitting still it ticks, but in park it doesn’t. Is this normal for the exhaust leak? I’m about to take the car on a 2 hour roadtrip to college, so I’d love some help. Thank you guys for all the assistance.

Well, not exactly the vehicle I would get for college. But congrats on getting one. There is an extensive and expensive list of things that this community will suggest you do for these 20 plus year old vehicles. I would say that the one thing you should absolutely do to eliminate as a possibility is to pull your spark plugs and torque to 18 lbs. Then you can go after this ticking sound. I just did my drivers side exhaust manifold. If you have a bad motor mount when you put it in drive it could flex your exhaust just enough to close or open the crack on the manifold to where the ticking disappears. I am sure this forum will chime in with some good suggestions. Good luck with College.

 

[Foehammer]

Definitely check the sparks, and yes an exhaust manifold is annoying but it won't damage your engine in the same way a spark plug backing out will. That would be my priority.

Gratz on the cruiser