Hello, I have a ticking from the engine - only in morning and doesn't happen the rest of the day. Have a '99 4-cyl with 180,000 miles. I've been recording this ticking on my iphone to let a mechanic hear it but thought I'd post here first.

It's been doing it for about 6 months now. Oil changes don't help. The "ticking" is at the same rate as the rpm - as I rev it goes faster and a little louder. This goes away after about 1 or 2 minutes and doesn't do it the rest of the day.

I'm replacing the original plugs and wires today but am not holding my breathe. Thinking it might be something bigger like a valve lifter losing pressure over night and when the pressure builds up it goes away.

The motor always ticks a little bit but I think thats an exhaust issue that I never fixed.

Anyone have this and fix it? Ordered a bunch of BG stuff to start cleaning some things out (MOA, 44K, 109, CF5, and quick cleaner)

Did someone say to stayaway from seafoam?

 

It sounds to me like you may just have an exhaust leak. Maybe one of the gaskets and as it heats up it expands and seals again. Also check and make sure all of you spark plugs are tight. If one has started to back out it can sound like an exhaust leak.

 

My plugs that I just removed - 180,000 miles

 

did it cure the ticks...?

 

Looking at the one on the left I can't tell if that's carbon build up or oil. It also looks like that one may have been loose because that build up is on the ceramic of the plug too.

 

Oh yeah.....did the ticking go away?

 

No, it did not. So I looked at my heat shield on the manifold and through one of the large holes I saw a 4" crack. I'm trying to get the shield off so I can see the full extend and start applying screw penetrating spray over the next few days so I can replace the manifold with the mini. Bummer. But a typical.

 

At least you now know what it is. Weird that it goes away as the truck warms up but I guess you could attribute that to heat and expansion. Time to search for a manifold.

 

Anyone know where to get the whole OEM mini manifold and gasket kit? I need the whole thing for the best price (duh, I know)

Any help would be great. I some places throw in free shipping which could be a helper. Thanks!

 

And actually, the ticking is always there it's just louder for a couple minutes early in the morning when I leave for work. I guess I got used to the minor ticking and just ignored it.

 

Here is the link to the kit from YT member Deathcougar. I don't know if its the "best" price on the net, but its certainly from a trusted source.

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f37/...ilable-179930/

 

I am getting the kit tomorrow from DeathCougar. I went ahead and removed the heat shield today. I saw a crack through one of it's "windows" so I knew it was time.



And then I saw just how bad it is:

 

Does it sound like a valve tick? If so your oil pressure might be a little low on start up. Try using an oil filter from Toyota. Some filters have a check valve to hold some oil pressure.

 

Are you sure that it isbt the power steering pump.

Mine is doing this right now and i located it to the power steering pump going bad

 

I believe the ticking was from the spark plug that I replaced. My header gasket is leaking and it was baked on the plug. After replacing it the ticking first thing in the morning has stopped. The constant minor ticking is from the cracked exhaust manifold. Now I notice a new ticking when the AC is on. I think it's from the engine working harder. But it sounds like a ticking from the back of the truck. I looked at my muffler and found four little holes. But why a louder tick when the AC is on? And why does it stop when I shift to neutral ? There's a vibration that goes along with it too.

 

I've used toy. filters for years. And Royal Purple 5w-30 for years.

Your power steering pump ticks for about a minute when you start in the morning only?