2003 Toyota 4Runner - Ticking sound
by Kat
When I start my car I can already hear a ticking noise. And when I accelerate, I hear that noise get a little bit louder and faster. When I accelerate my vehicle, it also feels like it struggles for a split second or so before moving forward faster. Recently did to the car - Changed spark plugs, changed oil, power steering flush, transmission flush, brake pads changed, rotors resurfaced. First mechanic told me that I blew a head gasket, a little bit of water was found in my oil when doing an oil change. Said on the phone it was my timing belt making the noise and said would call me back with a quote to fix. Later comes back and says that it's my timing chain and that i need to replace timing chain, guides, tensioner, water pump, head gasket. Wanted to charge me $3100 for the job! $2100 was hours of labor and flat rate. Second mechanic noticed that there was no signs of oil going into coolant, and no signs of coolant going into the oil. I mentioned that the temperature of my car has always been good. He ruled out the possibility of blowing a head gasket. Also he doesn't believe timing chain is possibility for ticking noise because his explanation is that "It's Toyota". Toyota Service guy too confirmed no coolant in oil and no oil in coolant. I told him same thing of temperature, and he confirmed that I don't have a head gasket problem. So I'm not sure if first mechanic told me truth about needing to replace the timing chain, guides, tensioner, and water pump..... What could be making this ticking noise I hear when I start the car, and when I accelerate? And what's causing my car to struggle a split second or two before moving forward after accelerating? It used to be a smoother ride before I started hearing the ticking noise..... Steve Says, Hi Kat, thanks for using my website. Timing chains can sometimes cause a ticking noise, but there are also many other things as well. I'll go over some of them below. If you have never had your timing chain replaced then it could be going bad since your car is getting high mileage. Before you have it done though I think you should get a second opinion, just to be sure. I really don't think you have a head gasket problem either. They were most likely just trying to sell you on something...don't ever go back to that shop!!! As far as the ticking goes, there are several things that could be happening. I wish I knew if your check engine light was on. I'm assuming that it is not since you didn't say it was. The engine ticking sound could be several things. The main thing that I'm wondering about right now is that you say that your truck is a bit sluggish. Most of the time when you have a ticking noise and your engine is not running right it is because of a misfire. BUT if you had a misfire you would also have a check engine light in most cases. The ticking sound could also be from valves that need to be adjusted. If they have not been adjusted recently then it might be a good idea to have that done. Toyota has also had some problems with their exhaust manifolds causing some ticking noises and their injectors are naturally noisy. It is true that some Toyota's tick a lot, but if this is something new, and if you notice that it does not run right then you need to have it diagnosed by a good repair shop. If you need more help, just leave me a comment with more information (especially the codes if there were any) and I will do my best to give you some direction. |
