Ticking when oil heats up on 2004 LX470 (1 Viewer)

[Jblueskull]

So I’ve noticed recently that my 2004 Lx470 (250,000 miles) has a ticking noise that is sometimes very noticeable fat operating temperature in the cabin slightly on the passenger side. But I don’t really hear it outside of the car with all the other noises of the engine. I have don’t really have and idea what exactly it could be. I’m hoping it could be something with the exhaust, but I’ve heard it could also be something with the valves. How could I go about testing to figure out where this ticking is coming from?

Also if this helps with the diagnosis, I’ve noticed my oil pressure runs kinda low. There is no low oil pressure light. But the oil gauge once at operating temperature never goes above half, and even at 70 mph it will be at just the quarter mark. And it dips very slightly below the quarter mark when at 30 mph or lower. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

 

[riffman12]

The oil pressure gauge is notoriously inaccurate on these.

Does the tick increase with rpm?

the simplest answers:

1) crack in the exhaust manifold. Ticking sound that increases with rpm. In this case sounds like it’s your passenger side

2) if it doesn’t increase with rpm, is it just the ticking sound as the cats heat up?

 

[Jblueskull]

The oil pressure gauge is notoriously inaccurate on these.

Does the tick increase with rpm?

the simplest answers:

1) crack in the exhaust manifold. Ticking sound that increases with rpm. In this case sounds like it’s your passenger side

2) if it doesn’t increase with rpm, is it just the ticking sound as the cats heat up?

Yes the ticking does increase with RPMs. So if it is an exhaust manifold crack. How would I go about confirming that it is.

 

[Rhetoric]

Run 20w50 oil if you wanna see that oil pressure guage peg max.

I would also check spark plugs. These trucks are notorious for the spark plugs walking out, which causes a tick tick tick.

 

[Jblueskull]

Run 20w50 oil if you wanna see that oil pressure guage peg max.

I would also check spark plugs. These trucks are notorious for the spark plugs walking out, which causes a tick tick tick.

Hahaha, I think I am good for now.

I did check the spark plugs a month ago cause I read that on another thread. I retorqued them all to 15 foot pounds instead of just the 13. And the ticking still remained.

 

[awesomeissquid]

Since you ruled out spark plugs the next step would be to remove the heat shields from the exhaust manifolds so you can inspect them to see if there are any cracks.

Once’s the covers are removed if you don’t see any cracks you can run a test to see if you are missing something.

The test involves a shop vac and soapy water. Take a shop vac and put the hose on the exhaust port so it is blowing air instead of sucking it in. Stick the end of the hose in the exhaust pipe and then spray soapy water on the exhaust manifold. If it bubbles up, that is where you have a crack.

If that doesn’t solve it the noise could be something mechanical inside the engine and might just be normal noises. Does the noise sound new or has it changed over time?

Regarding the oil pressure sensor as mentioned by others it is not very accurate. There is a thread that talks about the normal range. If yours is not operating like you think it should you can replace the sensor pretty easily. I had to swap mine since it did not move as much as I expected.

 

[Dparo]

Sounds like it is time for the DT headers. Use the Toyota gaskets.

 

[Jblueskull]

Since you ruled out spark plugs the next step would be to remove the heat shields from the exhaust manifolds so you can inspect them to see if there are any cracks.

Once’s the covers are removed if you don’t see any cracks you can run a test to see if you are missing something.

The test involves a shop vac and soapy water. Take a shop vac and put the hose on the exhaust port so it is blowing air instead of sucking it in. Stick the end of the hose in the exhaust pipe and then spray soapy water on the exhaust manifold. If it bubbles up, that is where you have a crack.

If that doesn’t solve it the noise could be something mechanical inside the engine and might just be normal noises. Does the noise sound new or has it changed over time?

Regarding the oil pressure sensor as mentioned by others it is not very accurate. There is a thread that talks about the normal range. If yours is not operating like you think it should you can replace the sensor pretty easily. I had to swap mine since it did not move as much as I expected.

Thank you! I’m gonna try all that this weekend and see if I can locate the problem.

 

[2001LC]

During cold start up. Get out and put ear in fender well. First one side than the other. TicK Tick Tick, pop, pop, pop sound and if spark plugs are tight. Is almost always a crack in exhaust manifold flange. If tick remains after engine reaches operating temp, crack flange is bad. Which we should then, R&R exhaust manifold.

This tick, tick, tick/ pop, pop, pop of spark plugs or exhaust manifold leaking combustion gasses, sound the same. It can also be heard, with window down, passing a concern wall (HWY retaining wall or drive behind a strip mall buildings). Sound will ping back at you.

Also have someone drive away fast (Giving it gas) as you stand at the curb. You hear it.

Keep in mind, CAT get hot and make a crackling ticky sound. But if one CAT seems louder or both excessive loud or floor boards hotter than normal. You may have a fuel mixture issues. Watching fuel trims is a good practice.