It got COLD, now my truck is making weird noises...

Hello guys

So here in Idaho it's gotten down into the single digits recently. And as soon as it started getting cold, my truck started making a "ticking" noise, like tick tick tick. It's not really a knocking, it's definitely a tick. I checked the oil, tranny fluid and the power steering fluid; all good.
Also, to me it sounds like it's coming from the driver side more then the passenger side, by the emissions box? but I could be wrong.
('98 Tacoma TRD prerunner v6, automatic)

Any ideas what it could be? Your help would be greatly appreciated.

 

It's your trucks way of saying "Hey, it's time for a road trip to Florida!"

3
0
2

 

This is my first winter with my truck (3.4 engine) and now that its -30c here today and past few days ive heard a ticking. Almost like the sound of an old ford with a cracked manifold soft tick. Goes away after about 30mins of running.

 

Pretty common for a first Gen. Mine does the same, i believe it has to do with oil pressure

 

Valve train tick. Could see about doing a valve adjustment if it bothers you

 

Would it help if I put a lighter weight oil in? Also, if it is the valve train, is it going to cause any damage? The truck has under 50k miles..

 

My 4 cylinder has been ticking for over a year now. A lighter weight oil will be moved along easier. Check the owners manual for the 2 recommended oil weights and when to use each dependent on temperature. I can't tell you yes or no for sure without hearing it but from what it sounds like to me is the typical Toyota tick. My truck has been ticking since I got it with 55k miles on it in September of 2013 and now has 83k on it. My old 1988 v6 ticked too and my dad's 05 v6 ticks aswell

 

Try this:

 

You need a valve adjustment.
my truck was doing this and it got progressively worse then I adjusted the valves and its been going ever since.

 

Is this a difficult/expensive task?

 

Im not real sure on a 3.4 ive done it a couple times on the 2.7 which wasnt extremely hard but very time consuming and takes a special tool to do it. The price of the tool is around $40 iirc

 

Im not real sure on a 3.4 ive done it a couple times on the 2.7 which wasnt extremely hard, very time consuming and takes a special tool to do it. The price of the tool is around $40 iirc