Ticking sound - not valve noise?

Hello all,

I have a 1999 Tacoma 4x4 with a manual transmission. Ever since I bought this thing, it's had an alarming ticking sound that can be heard within the cab. The ticking gets louder and faster when I speed up, sounds like a sewing machine or an old diesel. Now I know these old Toyota engines are known for their ticking, but I'm not sure if it should be this loud ...

Last weekend me and a buddy took the valve cover off and measured the clearances of the valves, and they were all in spec. So he told me that this is what they're supposed to sound like.

Wondering if anyone has any other insight on what else I could check? From what I've read on here it might be evap related, or potentially injector noise?

Thanks!

Edit: it's the 2.7L

 

When I sit in my driver seat idling, I can hear the charcoal canister's vsv purge valve clicking on and off...

I bought another oem one.....and its even louder....





That valve is right on the other side of the firewall....and drive me nuts...

 

Thanks for that info O'Silver! Curious, do you notice that the ticking increases when your RPMs increase? I'll have to check this out tomorrow.

 

I only notice when idling....not sure after that....
road noise and the shit for brains thing...

With a new motor I pheem on every little noise...

 

Hmmm okay, anyone know of anything else it could be?

 

What makes you so sure it's from the engine bay? Bad bearings "tick" if they are in really bad shape. Lift the truck up and try turning the wheels.

 

Sounds like it's coming from the engine bay, the ticking happens when the truck is not moving as well.

 

Injectors?

 

Really only thing left other than some pulley bearing...
is just injectors and/or valves.....

If your timing tensioner is starting to go out

you would see that with the timing advance jumping all over the place....

 

Lisle 52500 - Mechanic's Stethoscope - MADE IN USA - OPEN BOX 83045525004 | eBay

 

Mine as well. Flowmaster 40 series cured most of that noise.

 

Exhaust leak at manifold or egr perhaps?