huh where exactly is that grommet? Yeah this is my 5th toy. I had 2 tacomas with this same engine and they did not tick like this. Official verdict from toy dealer is that it needs a valve adjustment with possible sissor gear? While in there they will also change timing belt. Est is $700! They said there could also be damage to the head and then it could get real costly but they cant tell me till they open it up. ???

Toyota also said I need 2 new CV axels with an est of $600!!! Doesn't that sound outragous for cv's? I told them that and they said on a 4x4 they are more difficult to put on. They also said I do have a slight tick from an exhaust leak in t here too and not to worry but they said the valve adj needs to be done or I will run into serious problems. I am pissed cause I just bought this thing! Help what do y'all think? I paid $5500 for it is it worth puttin anothergrand into? and does this diagnosis sound right?

tick could be valves...CV axles can be done by a novice mechanic for much less...if the timing belt hasnt been done or water pump do both, water pump is behind the belt...not a bad price for both, though im not familiar with the other part mentioned...

exhaust leak will sound like a tick, especially if its around the exhaust manifold, where does it leak? injectors also tick quietly, dont get too anal about noises, a healthy 3.4L will make some noise (rotted steering shaft boot will allow the injector noise into cab)

is it worth it? how many miles on the truck? if less than 200k i wouldnt hesitate if your going to keep it.

thanks man sounds like you know your stuff. I think they did say the exhaust leak was near the manifold. The rotted steering boot you speak of where is that man? And yes I am anal can't help it. I had to other 3.4 tacoma and they did not tick like this. Wonder if the injectors are louder than usual. Truck has 180K. I just took it to another mechanic and he said it is very slight valve tick and not even anything to worry about. He is going to do the cv's but he said not to worry or do anything else. What do you think? Should I still do the valve adj and the timing belt with the toy dealer for 700? Appreciate your help. I just bought this truck after looking for one of these for a long time so I would like to keep. I don't want to get to anal but it just doesnt seem like I should be driving around if the valves need adjustment.
thanks man

The valve check/adjust and timing belt are good preventive maintenance and should definitely be done if you intend to keep the truck for a long time. A valve out of spec can get burned, which is an expensive fix. I wouldn't expect the noise to change much though.

The steering boot is a small seal where the steering shaft goes through the firewall. When it gets old and falls apart it lets the engine noise in the cab making things seem more noisey than they should be, especially if you've got an exhaust leak, etc. Its a common problem with a cheap/easy fix.

beware the dealer may sell you more than you need to properly replace it, they claim the boot isnt available separately at my local dealer, however if you give them the part number (unsure what it is, use to have it written down somewhere...I have a body lift so naturally mine wont last long, fixed it with some vinyl floor runner material from home depot, cut a hole in a small piece for the shaft and bolted it behind the plate...

So you don't think the noise will go away even with the valve adj? Thanks for the tips on steering boot sounds like I can rig something up for that. The mechanics quote for the cvs wasnt far off toys 500!!! He also quoted 3 hours per side and said it is a hell of a job on these trucks. Oh well got to do it... once I get this baby right it will be sweet...

i can do it an hour per side...so long as you have a BJ puller its not too difficult, especially since they're being replaced not rebuilt.

I can do it in 20-30 minutes per side (no BJ tool needed unless your t-bars are massively cranked) and brand new shafts from NAPA are about $90/ea (no core charge). <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Damn!!! Do either of you guys live in NC? He did say they were about $100 a piece from napa and that is where he was getting them but the labor came to around $300. Now I am kinda pissed wonder if I should call in the morn and take it somewhere else. I thought this guy was pretty trustworthy. He has been good in the past.