Famous 1GR-FE Tick ? (With Video)

I've read a ton of threads but haven't found some definitive answer's of what this could be or if it's considered normal. So don't give me crap for starting another ticking thread lol.

It's a 2006 taco with the 1GR-FE with 290000km or 180000miles on it. Definitely never used to tick and I believe it started a 2ish years ago. In the past year I had the engine rebuilt since the heads needed to be done and I decided to just over haul the thing since it was getting the new frame and want it good for another 300km.

After the heads were done the ticking was definitely worse (as bad as it is in the video link below) which is coming from under the passenger side valve cover. I had the timing chain and tensions changed, valves grinded..etc literally everything I could get done while the engine was apart. Except I guess I didn't get them to look close enough at what might be causing this, although I complained about it plenty of times. They said they couldn't see anything wrong after scoping it, and running all the tests they could on it. The thing is it runs perfectly, I get great milage, I don't know if this is a case of don't fix what ain't broke? but it sounds like hell, and after rebuilding it I was hoping it would sound like new.

It's definitely engine related as it increases with Rpm and only happens when the engine is warm and under 1500rpm, above that it either goes away or the ticks are so close together that I can't tell.

What's your guys thoughts ? I know there's been tons of talk about this kinds of issue but I'm and a bit of a loss.

Thanks in advance !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nze6QLazCgk&feature=youtu.be

 

I would NOT consider that sound Normal.
That’s not the classic “Taco Tick” I have heard.
As for what it is, I couldn’t tell you.
You’d probably have to start by pulling the Valve Cover if it’s internal.

Maybe one of the members that are Techs on this site have heard this before?

 

lol I didn't think it was normal but only a few people actually have videos of it online, so I was going off of peoples descriptions. I messaged my friend who's a Toyota Tech but figured the more info the better since the guys on here are awesome. Definitely going to pull the valve cover this weekend though

 

Could be a few things, its not a typical sound that I've heard.

1: The idler gear on the timing chains fail on these and make a racket.
2: One of the 3 tensioners has failed on the chains
3: excessive valve clearance.

I'd start with a stethoscope and isolate the noise to the area where its loudest.

Then I would remove the passenger valve cover and inspect valve train, the tensioner and see the timing chain primary as best possible.

 

OP, this is one of the guys I was talking about.
He is a Tech, take his word.

 

Man thank you that should get me on the right track I hope. I doubt it's the tensioners cause I just had them replaced within in a year, so maybe it's excessive valve clearance which is a bitch to fix. Or maybe the idler gear which I'll be pissed about too because I'm sure it's not an easy replacement, and after having the engine torn apart those would suck.

What would cause excessive valve clearance bad springs and/or worn worn Spring buckets? or could an adjustment possibly fix it ?

 

Valve clearance is usually a collapsed lifter, you cant adjust it. Just speculation right now.

It doesnt sound like a piston, so try to stay positive.

 

Of course just narrowing it down at this point, shouldn't be a piston since I had the rings done and everything looked at when it was apart. Really appreciate the help !

 

one thing I totally forgot to mention is the idle is still a tiny bit rough, the needle doesn't move but I can definitely feel it sitting in my seat at a red light, and usually the most when the engine is still warming up

 

Alright so I pin pointed the ticking to the front of the valve cover up where the timing chain runs. Pulled the valve cover off and from what I can see the spring buckets look really good (although it's tough to tell). So you guys think it could be the idler gear ? And we're taking the gear not the pulley correct ?