Jba header installed, still hear ticking. Need help.

[Freedonutss]

Hi, I just recently installed a pair of JBA headers in my 4.7L 2000 Tundra. Everything went well, a few busted knuckles and such but no big deal. Had to take the left motor mount off the access the 2 nuts. Other than that it was pretty straight forward. Well off to my point. After I installed it I let it idle for about 5 minutes than shut it off. I have a fan that cooled the engine while it was off to let the metal un expand(sp). So I tightened the bolts as tight as I could get them. Well I took it for a test drive and I still hear ticking. At this point im pretty ticked off thinking the ticking was the stock manifold leaking. Its pretty loud and maybe louder. I took a stelthoscope(sp?) and listened around the engine. I put it above where the spark plug boot is and I heard ticking. Then I put the stelthoscope near where the headers meet the engine and I heard no ticking but when I drive the harder I push the throttle the more I hear the ticking. What could it be? Maybe I should take it to a shop to get the nuts on tighter? or maybe they need a break in time or something. The ticking noise is pretty noticeable. Any help?

[Gadget@URD]

The best way to see if you have an exhaust leak is to use a real low tech meathod.

Get a long piece of fuel line. Stick one end in your ear. With the engine running run the other end around the different exhuast system joints. When the end of that hose passes over an exhaust leak you will really hear it in your ear and it will be unmistakeable.

If you think it is coming from the sparkplug tube, take that coil out and inspect it as well as the plug. One or both could be bad leaking spark. That spark can jump to the side of the tube and make a loud snap when it does. I have seen this from bad/broken plugs and bad/broken plug wires or coil packs.

It is just easier to replace the plug once you have it out and then swap the coil pack to another location. Then see if the problem goes away or follows the coil.

Most engine ticking in these engines is a result of a miss adjusted valve lash.

If the noise gets louder under power it is most likely an exhaust leak. If it is the same all the time even under acceration, then it is likely a valve lash issue.

Gadget

- Underdog Racing Development

[Freedonutss]

Hmm.. Ive used a mechanical stethoscope and had no luck. Only place I hear ticking on the engine is on the spark plug cover. If I put the stethoscope on the headers I hear no ticking. All i hear is air rushing through those headers. Ill try the fuel line method. Before I changed the headers I heard the ticking on the drivers side, now its still on the drivers side. I went to an exhaust shop yesterday and they said they will charge $50 to torque down both headers and inspect. Should I do it?

[atbspinner]

I think what you hear may be normal engine noise. I have a good friend who is a service manager at the local Volvo / Toyota dealer. I took my '01 in to him for a similar ticking noise because I suspected the manifold and have read about all the cracking issues. He said what I was hearing was normal engine noise and it comes from around the same area you are describing. I would not worry unless it gets louder over time.

[John2001]

One more possibility is the steering boot. Check out this thread:
Engine noise filtering through torn steering shaft boot?