Hi everyone, Im somewhat new to this forum and have been lurking around for awhile and finding a lot of good info. However, I couldnt really find the answer to my problem.

I have a 1992 toyota pickup, its got a 5spd, lifted, and has LCE headers. The truck has about 193k on it and Im noticing a very loud ticking noise coming from the driver side of the engine. The noise is quite when idling and picks up as I hit the gas. I didnt notice this noise when I bought the truck at 192k and only noticed the noise after I did an oil change, does this make sense?

I have read here that 22re engines are known to have lifter tick, but when my truck was in the shop to get some exhaust work I had the mechanic check it out. Him and everyone at the shop say that they are positive that its not the lifters. They said it could be an egr valve problem.

Im confused , has anyone had a problem like this and been able to conquer it? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

There are no lifters in these engines. Ticks on these engine can be lots of things as they are like that by nature. Since you say that it is the drivers side I would probebly say you have an exhaust leak.

 

+2 i've have a couple of bolts back out from the manifold. also ck the connections at the cat. start with a cold engine, start it up and start feeling around all the joints and connections. work fast and start at the exhaust manifold firstbeause it will heat up fastest. (duh)

 

when was the last time the valve clearances were set?

 

Thanks for the ideas, Ill be sure to check the exhaust out. As for the valves, i have no idea. The preious owner didnt mention anything that he did to them so i woul dhave to imagine that it was awhile ago. What would the valve clearence have to do with it?

 

too much clearance = valve ticking

 

You said you changed the oil and the noise started. What kind of oil weight did you use? I have found with mine, if i put in a 5w-30 oil, it ticks more than if I put in a 10w-30. To see if it's your oil weight, put in some lucus oil treatment and I bet the noise stops. It did the trick for me in a pinch.

 

I know a broken timing chain guide will cause the ticking also. But it is prolly exhaust, wrong oil weight, or valve lash needs to be re-adjusted. So when you have the valve cover off check the timing chain guides while you are at it.

 

I'd lean at exhaust leak since you say it's quiet at idle and gets loud when on the pedal.
Loose valves should rattle all the time. The oil change may just be a coincidence.

 

#2 on chail guides broken.
At the very least you should check it. You just have to take off the valve cover, this is easy to do its only 4 bolts and it is on top of your engine. If the chain is tight and guides are still there you are ok. If the chain is loose and the guide is broken it will chew a hole in the driver side part of the head until it hits the water jacket.

 

x3 on the timing chain guide.
Could be an exhaust leak but I don't really think of that as a ticking sound.

 

If the ticking really seems to come from the driver's side, I wouldn't point at timing chain problems. That would be from the front of the motor. Use a mechanics stethoscope (cheap at Auto Zone) or a long screwdriver (with the handle at your ear and blade end on motor) and pinpoint the location of the noise. If it were a chain problem, it should be very evident at the timing cover. An exhaust leak could cause valve noise on the exhaust side = exhaust valves = driver's side <<< clue!. However, doesn't make much sense it would all the sudden just start after changing the oil were it an exhaust leak. Unless, you're just now really noticing it.

For whatever reason, I have sometimes noticed more valve noise after an oil change in the past. I suspect, from conversations I've had with a personal friend/experienced mechanic, a change in oil pressure caused by a fresh filter and oil = somewhat less oil pressure (due to somewhat greater flow = less resistance in oil circulation) can have an effect on the tension of the chain. IOW, less tension on an aged chain creating more slack since the tensioner operates on oil pressure. This is, in turn, can have a downstream/reverberating effect on how the cam/valvetrain behaves.....even amplified if the valves are in need of adjustment. Something to consider.

So, you may find some relief by simply adjusting the valves. Of course, check the guides while you are there.