Exhaust leak? Ticking? What is it...

htttrh · #1 (**permalink**) 01-13-2007, 08:18 PM

I did introduce myself and have been searching like crazy on this engine noise I am experiencing.

My engine on my 2002 Sequoia LTD 4WD was quiet and purred like a kitten until 40k miles. Then I noticed as I drove thru the mountains in West Virginia what sounded like an exhaust leak near the engine(from engine bay). When I got to Ohio for a visit, I dropped into a Toyota dealership, I got blown off and was told Toyota considers this normal and they dont have a clue what it is(They did drive it)...that they have an employee with the same problem and has spent thousands trying to fix it with no luck.

I have read about relocating a wire or wire harness..anyone have pics of that so I can try that and does anyone have any information or a thread I may have missed(I search and read for a couple of hours) that may help me on this sputter or ticking sound,... it sounds more like an exhaust leak that anything else. I did opt for the Toyota platinum warranty bumper to bumper 100k...

In the mean time I guess I will inspect the heck out of it and see if I can see anything but any and all help is appreciated!! -Steve

Justang · #2 (**permalink**) 01-13-2007, 11:24 PM

I've never heard of the wire/harness relocation thing... but. Don't these engines have standard lifters (non-hydraulic) where the lash has to be adjusted? I think Toyota reccomends adjustment at 60k intervals.

The other thing is it could be a header/manifold tick. My truck with 20k does this. It didn't start until 15k, I thought for sure it was a leak. I took a stethoscope to then entire exhaust system while the truck was on a rack. No leaks anywhere. When the engine was revved, you could hear a loud tick coming from the exhaust manifolds. Put the stethoscope to the manifold and wow, it was deafening.

Just two options to think about. I've learned to live with mine. It only happens under moderate to loud acceleration. I just put a magnaflow on to cover the sound... lol. Probably not what you want to do with a Sequoia.

Hope that helps, and good luck.

Flashgordon · #3 (**permalink**) 01-14-2007, 05:19 AM

Steve, I've had this since day one on my '06 4Runner.
Toyota is aware of this problem, there is a TSB out for replacing the exhaust manifolds on newer Tundras', they are to "thin".
The injectors on my V6 are loud at idle then the exhaust ticking kicks in under light to moderate acceleration.
Even though the exhaust manifold part numbers are the same (Tundra to 4R), they won't do mine since it's a 4Runner and no TSB has been generated for those...yet.
Steve, can you hear it at idle or just under a load?

Like Justang, I've learned to live with it for now.

Justang, how much did the Magnaflow help?

htttrh · #4 (**permalink**) 01-14-2007, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flashgordon

Steve, I've had this since day one on my '06 4Runner.
Toyota is aware of this problem, there is a TSB out for replacing the exhaust manifolds on newer Tundras', they are to "thin".
The injectors on my V6 are loud at idle then the exhaust ticking kicks in under light to moderate acceleration.
Even though the exhaust manifold part numbers are the same (Tundra to 4R), they won't do mine since it's a 4Runner and no TSB has been generated for those...yet.
Steve, can you hear it at idle or just under a load?

Like Justang, I've learned to live with it for now.

Justang, how much did the Magnaflow help?

Im going to go over it today and get back with you, it has just started recently and havent much time to investigate...I will get back here and tell you where its audible and all that and see if we come up with something. Get back with you guys later!

LGL002 · #5 (**permalink**) 01-14-2007, 08:42 AM

I'd imagine it's a cracked exhaust manifold as that wasn't uncommon on early model Tundra and Sequoia's. They usually crack where the pipes are welded to the header/exhaust port flange at the heads and are impossible to see until removed. Normally the noise is most noticeable when the engine is first started with a slight load on it like backing out from your garage where there's something for it to reflect against and it's surroundings are relatively quiet.
On the Tundra's the other noise referenced is a ground wire on the right side (passenger side) of the firewall that can be relocated to the fender well at one of the power steering reservoir hold down bolts. It redirects some of the engine noise transmission through that ground wire away from the interior compartment.

Larry

Justang · #6 (**permalink**) 01-14-2007, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flashgordon

Steve, I've had this since day one on my '06 4Runner.
Toyota is aware of this problem, there is a TSB out for replacing the exhaust manifolds on newer Tundras', they are to "thin".
The injectors on my V6 are loud at idle then the exhaust ticking kicks in under light to moderate acceleration.
Even though the exhaust manifold part numbers are the same (Tundra to 4R), they won't do mine since it's a 4Runner and no TSB has been generated for those...yet.
Steve, can you hear it at idle or just under a load?

Like Justang, I've learned to live with it for now.

Justang, how much did the Magnaflow help?

It helped to cover some of the tick, but you can still hear it. But aleast you get the satisfaction of hearing the roar of the engine too.

I hadn't heard about the TSB for the exhaust manifold.

Picasso · #7 (**permalink**) 01-14-2007, 11:00 AM

Steve,
Welcome to TundraSolutions.

I second what LGL002 said. Another thing to try is to simply listen to the engine while it's running with the hood up and then compare that with what you hear while listening through the wheel wells.

When my manifold started leaking, the sound was far more noticeable through the left wheel well then any other place. Since the manifolds are lower on the engine, listening through the wheel wells will help determine this.

Pictures of my cracked manifold are in the S&S Headers Install album in my photo gallery. Just click on the tiny camera icon that is in the top right of this post.

Good luck.

Paul

htttrh · #8 (**permalink**) 01-18-2007, 08:13 PM

Thanks for the input, I took it to a new toyotaand they are calling it a "normal" injector noise. So I will keep looking, maybe thats all it is. Thanks for all the help!!!

Picasso · #9 (**permalink**) 01-19-2007, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htttrh

Thanks for the input, I took it to a new toyotaand they are calling it a "normal" injector noise. So I will keep looking, maybe thats all it is. Thanks for all the help!!!

If this were true, that would indicate that something in the injector had changed. I do not have a lot of experience with injectors, but this does not make sense to me in your case.

Tundra engines are not known for having injector noise issues. They are for exhaust manifold leaks.

Did you listen through the wheel wells to see if the sound was more pronounced there?

Good luck.

Paul

Justang · #10 (**permalink**) 01-19-2007, 02:33 PM

Injectors are known to get noisy after so many miles.
Mine in my Mustang did at 60k. I ran Lucas injector cleaner and lubricant through the a tank and they were quiet for 10k miles or so.

YotaTruck · #11 (**permalink**) 05-15-2007, 02:54 PM

Thought I'd pipe in and offer a few sound files from my 2000 Tundra 4.7L which I believe has a cracked exhaust manifold. I recorded these using a microphone placed in the engine bay. Is this what you guys are hearing?

Dude Boy · #12 (**permalink**) 05-16-2007, 12:08 AM

I listened to the first and last sound clips and didn't hear your ticking. If it's the manifold, you should notice it more if you start it along side another car or a wall, with the window open. I replaced mine with headers and they are holding up a lot better than the original manifolds.

Picasso · #13 (**permalink**) 05-17-2007, 02:53 PM

The ticking isn't very pronounced on the recording, but it does sound a lot like a leaky exhaust manifold. When this happens, the sound is typically more pronounced when the engine is either cold or only when it's warmed up. Mine only occurred with the engine running after cooling off for 15 mins after being warmed up.

Does your engine make this sound all of the time?

If your recorder allows you to listen with headphones while recording, you could use that as a means of locating the source of the sound. Tundra headers usually crack where the flared primary tube is held against the block by the flange. If you put the mike at each of the eight ports, I'll bet you'll find the leak.

Let us know what you find.

Paul

blue tundra · #14 (**permalink**) 05-18-2007, 06:11 PM

I had a similar sound on my 2001 Tundra, Dealer told me it was piston slap and it was normal. I had the exhaust manifolds changed with no improvement. Finally took it to another deal who quickly found a ripped weather seal or boot on the steering column which points right at the exhaust manifold and allows the sound to pass into the cabin. This may not be your problem but is worth the time to check.

YotaTruck · #15 (**permalink**) 05-18-2007, 07:49 PM

Thanks for the replies guys. I don't think it's piston slap, but I could be wrong. It happens when the engine is cold, or after having stopped the engine for a few minutes, or even after a few minutes of idling at a light. It usually disappears when the engine is warm. It is very pronounced when listening outside through left (driver's) wheel well, and almost no sound in the passenger side wheel well.

I'd re-record it from the left wheel well, but don't have my microphone handy.

I'm pretty sure the driver's side manifold is cracked, but wanted to post good sound files to help other people quickly diagnose the sound and for my own reassurance that this is really what it sounds like. I'll try to get a new recording that is more pronounced.