Engine Ticking only under load

I don't remember if there's room to rotate the cam gear with the bolt installed. That bolt should not be there.

 

Another possibility is that if the gears hadn't shifted when the cam was removed then the bolt wasn't in there prior to it being installed and the gears would have already been off kilter like the guy in the 5vz video. Either way it's worth popping off the valve cover and taking a look.

 

That is more possible. The only thing PITA is that you can't just pop the cover in 5 minutes. All that stuff on the top has to be removed and that is at least 30 minutes of wrenching (for me more like 1 hour )

 

I like the realistic time frame - I always try to give those as well. If there's an issue that can't be sussed out I'd say it's worth it since you can check and see if the marks line up on the intake and exhaust cams, but I'm not an authority on engine stuff so there might be an easier solution to the ticking.

 

reviving this old thread because it fits with a similar issue.

There was a ticking at idle but put some Lucas old engine noise fixer and it cleared that up right away.

Now it's a click or tick that can be heard seemingly only under certain loads.

Assuming it's a small exhaust leak, how serious is this?

 

What i've learned about my engine throughout this process is that no matter what, the 3rz will tick in some regard. Shouldn't be super loud or anything though.
A tick under load largely points to an exhaust leak imo. That's how mine was. Wasn't able to hear it at idle.

Mine was predominantly from an exhaust leak. Particularly on the connection between the exhaust manifold collector and the pipe just before the cat. There are two gaskets there and make sure that all bolts are tight that hold that connection together.

I used some fuel hose to probe around with one end to my ear to help hear any air escaping from the exhaust connection points.

 

I see. Thanks for your reply. Mine was ticking at idle but after put that engine noise stuff in, it stopped. Now just under load.

I'm no mechanic. What I'm wondering about is how serious something like this is assuming that it is in an exhaust leak. I mean how long could it go before serious issues come about. I know there's no set answer to that. But for example is it something that could possibly go for many months or even years before creating a major issue?

 

An exhaust leak isn't anything major really, but you probably won't be able to pass smog if you live anywhere that does that kinda thing.

Could lead to a check engine code later down the line depending on where the leak is coming from (before or after the 2 oxygen sensors).

But overall an exhaust leak isn't going to cause anything else to break or cause any other serious issues in any amount of time. If it were me, i'd still wanna get it fixed cause that shit's annoying af.

 

Thanks for the detailed reply. I'm going to have a mechanic check it. Make sure not something more serious. It's blowing some smoke too but fluids seem fine. Emissions and engine check on my mechanics doohicky are greenlit good to go. IDK.

I paid $1100 for it and it still runs good so... I think even if serious issues will still run for 6 months minimum, couple years if lucky. Based on my uneducated opinion. If gaskets or crack somewhere will try that sealer in a bottle stuff. Gets really good reviews it seems. And then hope the tick not anything major and run into in the ground if any repairs over $500 come up. I'm not mechanically inclined so...

Trying to look at this half-full. I bought it and didn't unfortunately hear the tick or see the smoke. My own fault for not being more thorough. Disappointing but...

 

Glad to help.

Yea if there's any smoke out the exhaust I'd def say get it checked out. When mine was ticking under load I didn't experience any of that, so that leads me to believe there might be something else going on.

You paid $1100 for the truck? Sounds like a deal!
Even if you had a couple grand in repairs to get it back to 100%, i'd say its worth it. These trucks live forever if you take care of them.

I pretty much experienced the same thing with getting burned on the purchase of my truck. You can read about it in my build. Basically I bought it thinking it was an easy exhaust leak, but turned out to be one of the valves in the head was bad so had to get a new cylinder head. Learned a ton in the process though.

 

I think it's two different things going on but could be related. I will have a mechanic check it out regardless.

Sucks getting burned. Anyway, depending on how serious the issue is and what fix cost is. If it turns out more than a G then probably not. Just drive it into the ground.