Not sure where to go from here. Just did the gaskets and the top end of the motor.

Was quiet when it started, then as the engine heated up, started hearing a ticking.
Sounds mechanical, not an exhaust leak, not loud enough to be a rod. Just not sure what it could be.

Any ideas on where I should be checking?

thanks!

 

Did you set the valve lash correctly with the engine warmed up? That's the way the FSM calls it out. If not, it could be that the valves settings are opening up a little as it warms up. Open farther than speced, tick-tick-tick. It doesn't take much at all.
Heck, the valves tend to tick some even if everything is set perfectly. It's just the way the engine is. As long as the engine is running well, it's really not a big problem.

I set the valves every two or three years, when I replace the valve cover gaskets, grommets, etc. Both my 87's tick-tick-tick after no more than a day or two of driving around. No big deal at all. As long as there's no leaks, and the grommets aren't over-torqued, I ignore it. Heck, if they DIDN'T tick I'd worry

Good luck!
Pat☺

 

Thanks for the info 2toyguy! I'm beginning to see a lot of evidence that these things tick, which is fine if expected.
Not quite sure what you mean by "Set the valve lash" ?

 

https://lcengineering.com/engine-20r...ve-adjustment/

 

Thanks for that JJ'89!

 

You're welcome. I found it on youtube, and there are videos too. It occurred to me that maybe--no offense intended--don't know what a "feeler" gauge is. https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffsb&q=fee...tb=v1-1&ia=web Back in the day when a 10,000 mile tuneup was due, you needed the feeler to set ignition points gap if you didn't have dwell/tachometer indicator. I had to go out to the garage to see if I still have one; it's been so long since I last needed one. My 13 yrs. old Corolla..."tuneup? what's that?

 

I adjusted the valves cold at .007 & .011 and the ticking is very evident after the engine warms up. I work slow and didn't want to try to adjust them hot since I knew from when I started to when I finished there would be a big difference in the temp of the engine, thus things wouldn't be exact. Better to be too loose than too tight for sure. One day I might try to do it hot, half at a time, run it and then do the other half?

 

Before we get too far, what vehicle are you working on?

What engine does it have?

 

Should have stated that in the post... 3VZE on a 93 runner.
I'm aware some of the previous responses were for the 22RE

 

SOLVED!
Just want to update for anyone who has a ticking 3VZE in the future. Got a new fan belt, and the sound actually got WAY worse.

I had read somewhere that sometimes the culprit is the fan pulley and the easiest way to check is to pull the belts off and see if the ticking stops.

Took off the belt and the ticking went away...
Pulled the fan pulley off and it was definitely wonky.

Ran to the store and got a new fan pulley and now she's quiet as can be.

Hopefully this helps others troubleshoot in the future... thanks for everyone's help!