Help with a "ticking" engine

I could use a little help. My main ride is an 09 Taco but I'm looking at a 98 "beater", 4x4, xcab, auto trans, +180k miles. It's in decent shape and as best I can tell, everything works. The fly in the ointment is it's got a ticking sound in the engine (4 cyl - don't know which one). It sounds like a valve tap or stuck lifter and is definitely not a knock. The oil is full and used looking but not black or goopy (technical term) so I'm collecting opinions on possible problems and solutions. Wadda ya think?? Thanks, Rick

 

Most if not all 2.4l have this Tick sound from the factory.
it is a know issues and the Factory siad it cost to much to fix.
And most folks will never know it.

the 2.7L Might be the same....

At the time I got this info I worked for a toyota dealer and we had a facotry rep over to our place once or twice a month. So we get to ask more questions.

I would say it is normal...

But have a compression test and leak down test done and do the best to inspect it.

 

definitely have a compression test...
my 98 taco 4wd reg. cab made a noise.
hard to say if it's the same as yours.
almost sounds like a fly wheel spinning underneath the truck.
interestingly, i drove my new one off the lot yesterday and it made the same sound. must just be the sound of a 4cyl toyota engine.
my 98 died at 165,000 just a month ago...
well, not completely dead.
but had a compression test done and 1 cyl was only 50%.
the mechanic said either a bad cylinder, bad valve, or bad head gasket.
$2500 was just an off the cuf repair quote without really getting inside to see what's really going on.

 

Mine ticks. It isn't really that big of an issue, you can only really hear it when the hood is open and you're standing right in front of it.

 

Thanks to all