This morning was the first zero degree temperatures overnight (Chicago) and I am noticing the engine making a ticking sound under idle conditions. If I give it some gas to bring the RPMs anywhere above 1K, the ticking goes away. When the RPMs fall again to 1K, the ticking comes back. I just changed the oil two weeks ago so I know it isn't low. What could be the problem, and how is the cold weather contributing to it?

Thanks,
Runner4

 

It is likely that with the truck being a 97 that some of the valve lifter clearances are a bit larger than they used to be. Only way to fix it is to reshim the valves (an expensive and time consuming job). If it runs fine I would not bother with doing it and just live with the sound.

It is worse in the cold because the parts contract making the clearances bigger and therefore louder. When the engine heats up, the parts expand and clearances shrink....you get the idea.

Could also be a small exhaust leak up towards the engine so check for that as well.

 

I have a 98 that we just bought in the fall. We got a good cold snap here and I noticed the same problem. I was quite concerned. I searched the web and came up with a technical service bulletin for the 98's that mentions a ticking noise audible inside the vehicle. I got an Alldata DIY subcription for the 98 Runner and looked up the details. This does appear to be the same area the sound is coming from on my Runner. I am going to change out the part (about a hundred bucks Canadian) and see if it fixes it. The Alldata DIY is a great resource and has all kinds of specs, electrical diagrams,exploded diagrams, etc. If you don't have a service manual it's a good deal for a one year subscription. Service manuals don't have the tsb's so it's a great resource even if you have a manual. There are more details but this is basically what it says.

Interior - Ticking Noise In Cold Temperatures
ENGINE
TSB # EG007-99

Title:
4RUNNER VSV TICKING NOISE

Models:
98 4Runner

June 18, 1999

Introduction
To eliminate a "ticking" noise in the cabin of the vehicle in cold temperatures (below O°F), the hardness of the Vacuum Switching Valve Mount has been changed.

Affected Vehicles

1998 4Runners produced before the following VINs:
JT3GM84R # W0034816
JT3GN8 # R # W0088930
JT3HM84R # W0030400
JT3HM84R # W9019740
JT3HN8 # R # WO189768
JT3HN8 # R # W9017768

Parts Information

PREVIOUS PART NUMBER 25860-75160

CURRENT PART NUMBER 25860-75160 (SAME)

PART NAME
Valve Assembly, Vacuum Switching No. 1

NOTE :New parts can be identified by a "4" on the side of the rubber mount.

Feel free to e-mail or PM me if you need more info

Ray

 

Interesting......I have never seen that bulletin before.
Definately somehting to look into.

 

Mines a 98 also and does that when its real cold outside. It comes from some electrical stuff below the Master Cylinder. I never did figure out what the part was called but did isolate it to there.

I'd just deal with it instead of paying 100 bucks. It doesn't bother me that much and heck......its cold out. Everything creaks more.

 

Ya well it's ALOT more cold here ALOT more often than it is there. So I have to put up with noise alot more than others might. I'll be gettin' around to fixing it.

 

I hear ya!

 

Thanks for all of the replies. As long as it isn't a major engine problem I will just leave it alone. We had another zero degree night, and the engine made no noises on my way into work this morning. It must be tempermental.