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Why is my 2006 Toyota Tundra making a ticking noise?

I was at a stop light the other morning, and it was so quiet I could hear this ticking sound. I was wondering what it was and hoped it wasn’t my pacemaker giving out. But I kept listening and realized the ticking wasn’t coming from my chest, it was coming from my truck (turns out my pacemaker and heart are fine—healthy as a horse, my doctor says). What is making my Toyota Tundra tick?

avatar
Jason Tushinski · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Glad to hear your ticker is top-notch! A number of things can cause a 2006
Toyota Tundra
to make a ticking noise, including low oil, a faulty valve train, valves in need of adjustment, an exhaust manifold problem, or engine fan blockage.
Here’s a bit more about each potential issue:
  • Low oil—Oil is vital to your Tundra’s engine, as it keeps the components lubricated and prevents your engine from being damaged by heat and friction. Low oil due to over-consumption or a leak can cause a ticking sound. Check your oil to be sure it’s topped up, or take your truck to a mechanic if you fear there’s a leak.
  • Faulty valve train—Located in the cylinder head, a valve train opens and closes the intake and exhaust valves, which allow fuel into your engine’s cylinders. Valve trains have many small parts in their construction, and these parts can make noise when something goes wrong.
  • Valve needing adjustment—Sometimes, these valves just need adjusting, which will stop the ticking sound.
  • Faulty exhaust manifold—In between the exhaust manifold and cylinder head is a gasket. If that gasket goes bad, you might hear a ticking sound the faster you go and the more your RPMs climb.
  • Engine fan blockage—If your engine fan is blocked, that can also produce a ticking noise.
If you’re wondering what’s causing your 2006 Tundra to tick, take it to a trusted mechanic or a Toyota dealership to diagnose and fix the problem. If it is your pacemaker that’s ticking, go to the hospital!
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