Small Tick 2014 2.4L 5 Speed 4x4 engine

Hello,

I have a 2014 tacoma with the 2.4L I4 engine with around 40K miles on it. It recently started making a new sound. When im accelerating and at idle, there is a light ticking near the back/bottom of the engine that rises with revs. It will sometimes go away completely, but its usually there. Has anyone heard this specific noise before? Its probably not an issue, but my last chevy truck went through 2 motors so I'm sensitive to new sounds. oil is at the right level.

It doesnt sound like rod knock of valvetrain issues, and I doubt the tacos blow up like chevy engines, but still a bit worried regardless.

Below is the link for the video. its a bit hard to hear, but you should be able to over the engine revs.

https://youtube.com/shorts/05EPvg7HwZA?feature=share


Thank you!

 

a good starting place is pull off the serpentine belt and start the truck for a bit (not too long as the water pump wont be spinning). This will tell you if its internal or external. Im betting external (alternator bearings, idler pulleys etc)

 

Thanks for the reply! I crawled under the engine and its definitely coming from the bottom of the engine, maybe even the clutch area. Couldnt hear anything coming from the front where the serp belt is. Interesting thing is it only happens when the car is warm.