Hey guys,

looking at an 04 runner 4x4 V6. engine has 36000 miles on it. drove it home last night for an extended test drive. It sounds like the lifters are ticking. its not loud but you can hear it. I plan on keeping this think for well over 150k. I saw the thread where in court toyota was forced back to buy the guys lease but no remedy was ever posted. Only "possible solutions". Im just not sure how loud his was exactly. Anyone having the same issue? If so for how long and how many miles? I know it has the VVT on it and some people think its normal.


Also engaging 4h and 4lo seems a little too clanky for me. Not clunky but clanky. Is that typical to. I am familiar with the 1st 2nd and 3rd gen but this 4th gen drivetrain is pretty much new to me. Thanks

 

I have a 95 4Runner, and it has a valve tap. Its at 131k but been doin it since sometime since 12xk.
I talked to my uncle about it when it seemed to get worse, and he said that toyotas are known for having valves come out of time, and you have to retime them every now and again. But if it isnt too bad you can put in higher quality gas and it should help it. I tried and it did a little.
Im not an expert, just my own experience.

 

Thanks gokumono. I appreciate your input. The only thing about the 4.0L is that you can adjust the timing (to my knowledge). The ecu controls that. i have thought about trying a higher octane. But given that fact that im only on the test drive a few more hours I cant test the octane theory. I know it is know that the lifters tick. I just want how soon it will cause the obvious problems. Maybe down the line there will be a service campaign like the 3.0 head gasket. Anyone else with any other input?

 

I have an '03 V8, 106k on it, it ticks... No problems with the truck, though I now have a blown XReas shock.

 

i had an 95 had a SMALL tick then i put a bigger cam in and it ticked louder. pull the valve covers see if any are loose or look wrong it only takes 2 min to pop em off and take a look. and if you already got it at home cant hurt. i doubt its anything worth worrying about but then again i havnt herd it and im not there so good luck!

 

thanks for all the info guys. my gf pulled the trigger and got it. She went from an 04 grand am that she bought new and put 52000 miles on it to a 04 4runner with 36200 on it. she loves it. the sales guy actually had the mechanic pull up an 08 4runner with 52 miles on it and it had the tick as well. I guess it is just the nature of the beast. Mechanic blamed it on the tension pulley. He said that is what toyota said it was and that he had in the past changed them out quite a few times and it never made a difference. In all honesty my parents bought an 07 GS350 brand new my ma just drives it around here and there. Always puts BP 93 in and it has a slight tick. IIRC it is the 3.5 in it with AWD and man is that thing quick. so we will see how it goes. And I think I have read that people have heard there 4.0 tick on the highway. Cant hear a thing except the wind noise. So maybe its nothing after all. We will see but I do appreciate the info Thanks

 

A great thank-you to PhilC64 at the Blue FJC forum. I just did it and it made a real difference!



The 1st pic is for general orientation. The only things you need are: A couple of o-rings, some double-sided sticky foam tape and a dab of the weak threadlock adhesive. I used a dab of silicone sealant.







Next is the valve removed. It’s a single bolt that uses a 10mm socket and a short extension. Install so as not to crush the o-ring. Put a dab of threadlock so the bolt doesn't backout.




Hope this helps you too…

 

Sorry to jump in late on this. Check to see if it's not just the fuel injectors.
Mine have been clicking for 200,000 miles. Not a problem.
Jeff

 

Chris, I saw that thread before over at the FJ forum.
I do not really hear any noise from mine, but it is good to know it is a simple fix.

 

What exactly does that thing do?

 

You're sure you're hearing valve chatter and not normal injector tick??

Injectors tend to make a 'ticking' sound under normal operation....