Been out looking at new 4Runners this week and I am thinking about picking one up. I have a 1992 3.0 V-6 that ticks pretty loudly. The ticking is rythmic and it is particularly noisy above 75 mph. I think that this is normal from the 3.0, but I have some non-toyota mechanic friends that say that they don't get a good feeling about that sound. I am just curious as to what is normal with this motor. Someone out there let me know. I keep the oil changed and I don't ever have to add oil to it between changes. What I read tells me that it's okay, but me buying a new truck is based on this tick. I can't afford to be down a vehicle. Any inputs?

 

The ticking is normal. You might want to check your steering shaft seal at the firewall. It's common for that thing to crap out. And when it does, it leaves a hole straight into the engine compartment - letting all that ticking noise inside the truck.

 

There was a huge difference after I replaced mine. No more ticking and it only ran me about $15 and would've been about 30 minutes to replace if I didn't have to rerun wires.

The ticking is normal.

 

You guys are the heat! That did it. Quiet as a mouse in the cab now. Like I just replaced all of the soundproofing or something. Still gotta listen to all of my mechanic buddies tell me that they get a bad feeling listening to that tapping sound, but I like where I am at. Thanks again

 

Hey! I heard the ticking too but didn't worry about it, (I kinda like that sewing machine sound...) but after reading this I checked and sure enough - there is a hole in the firewall. Thanks for the tip!