1986 Toyota Pickup Engine makes a ticking noise

Tiny
OLDDODGETRUCK
  • MEMBER
  • 1986 TOYOTA PICKUP
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
I bought an 86 Toyota Sr5 last week for $500 which ran fine and only problem was a very small oil leak. I drove it home, about 60 miles on the interstate without any problems and no weird noises except for an exhaust leak. I drove it a few miles the next few days and I started hearing a ticking noise. I took off the valve cover and the timing chain guides were broken, so I replaced the chain, sprockets, tensioner, cover, water pump, and oil pump. This fixed the oil leak, but not the sound. You can hear it when the engine is cold, but it gets louder when the engine warms up. I can't hear it when I rev past about 2000 RPM but that could be the exhaust leak. It sounds top end, like the valves are loose, but I just adjusted them, and they were all too tight. Any ideas? Are they any tests I could do? I did the screwdriver on the valve cover bolt and the ticking was loudest on the passenger side, I could hear it on the back driver side, and I couldn't hear it on the driver side front. I tried to post a video, but I don't know if it will work.
Tuesday, December 1st, 2015 AT 5:38 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,724 POSTS
Are you sure the exhaust manifold doesn't have a leak? It's right up top and they usually sound like a ticking or tapping.
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Tuesday, December 1st, 2015 AT 5:41 PM
Tiny
OLDDODGETRUCK
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  • 66 POSTS
It doesn't appear to, is there way to tell?
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Tuesday, December 1st, 2015 AT 5:44 PM
Tiny
OLDDODGETRUCK
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It does have a slight misfire at idle if that helps.
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Tuesday, December 1st, 2015 AT 5:47 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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  • 109,724 POSTS
The only way to tell is with a stethoscope. Based on the year, that fact that there is an exhaust leak already, my guess is that is the problem. Also, make sure the plugs are all tight. A loose plug can do the same thing and it can cause a slight misfire.
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Tuesday, December 1st, 2015 AT 6:04 PM
Tiny
OLDDODGETRUCK
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Ok thanks, I will check those tomorrow.
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Tuesday, December 1st, 2015 AT 6:07 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Let me know what you find. We'll figure it out.
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Tuesday, December 1st, 2015 AT 6:09 PM
Tiny
OLDDODGETRUCK
  • MEMBER
  • 66 POSTS
I wasn't able to get a stethoscope, but I did check the exhaust manifold and the bolts were all loose. I tightened them up, but the ticking is still there. The exhaust is a little quieter though. The ticking is fast and after about 1500-2000 rpm you cant make out the individuals ticks. I should be able to get a stethoscope tomorrow. Is there anything I should listen for, or just find where it's loudest? Also, the major exhaust leak is on a pipe that connects the manifold to the rest of the pipe, there is a v and the crotch of the v is cracked.
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Wednesday, December 2nd, 2015 AT 8:36 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Most likely, you are referring to the Y pipe. It attaches to the exhaust manifolds, joins together and then attaches to a single exhaust. My guess is that the manifold gasket is bad or the ticking is coming from the Y pipe. CHeck those areas.
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Thursday, December 3rd, 2015 AT 6:09 PM

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