Valve problem or exhaust leak

I have a noise coming from driver side I've pin pointed to where the loudest sound is coming from using screwdriver to ear method and it's loudest on manifold but I don't see any suit and as far as valves go the engine isn't missing rpms are steady and no lack in power anybody have any ideas

 

Video or sound file of the noise? Or can you search Youtube for other Tacomas that have the noise and point us at the link? Might give us some ideas about the noise you're hearing. Also helps to know under what conditions you hear the noise, i.e. hot/cold, A/C on/off, etc.

 

What engine? The 4.0 V6 is notorious for a noisy valve train and can have a pronounced "tick" sound. Usually not super loud, but noticeable. My '09 had a slight tick, nothing on my '12 though.

 

It sounds like the op has the 3.4 v6 and a sound would be helpful

 

Sorry just learning this forum but it's a 04 3.4 Tacoma yesterday I used a stethoscope on exhaust on drivers side and I could hear the sound more their but I can tell u no engine miss no cel on starts fine rims steady same gas mileage as usual doesn't use oil looked for exhaust leak no video but just listening to it it don't sound like metal to metal but with stethoscope it does and only their and seems to be intermint but no video I'll try to get one when I learn to use this forum but thanks for reading and helping

 

And the ac is off haven't noticed it when it's on but does seem to be when it's hot I did do a timing belt 5 months ago and water pump but didn't notice how long after that that it started

 

Could need a valve lash adjustment, but that takes shims and special tools. I don't think this is a common adjustment that is needed on the 3.4. How many miles on the truck?

 

I have 153000 miles but how common is exhaust manifold leak at the head on this trucks I've Been the only owner and took good care of it I done timing belt like I said before about 5 months ago and replaced water pump seems like problem started 2 months after that but I would think if something went wrong like being out a tooth it would miss and it don't and the noise only seems to be when it's hot but I haven't saw any evidence of exhaust leak I would not think it needs a valve adjustment neither theses are good engines saw them running like new with very high miles

 

I can't really say how common exhaust leaks are on these trucks, but in my experience, exhaust leaks are louder when the engine is cold and quiet down a little once everything has heated up and expanded.

It's really hard to diagnose sounds over the internet. That truck has plenty of life left. If the noise isn't really loud and the truck is running fine, I say just drive it and see if it gets worse over time.

 

Does it sound like this?https://youtu.be/gdNZ4xXZHe8