Scotty,
I have a 2007 FJ Cruiser with 172,000 miles on it. I’ve been hearing a ticking noise from the engine for as long as I can remember. All of the FJ guys in the forums claim this is normal for these trucks. They say it’s caused by the PWM vacuum switching valve screwed to the intake manifold on the driver's side. This makes sense because that’s where the noise comes from when I listen with the hood open. What are your thoughts?
Recent maintenance:
-Oil Change
-ATF drained and filled (not flushed)
-New transmission filter
-Spark plugs
-Drive belt
-Struts, Shocks, UCAs, LCAs, CV axles
-Tires
-Zerk fittings greased
-Front/rear diff and transfer case fluid
-New battery
You can get a "mechanics stethoscope" for $10 at Harbor Freight. Put it on the valve they are talking about to confirm that's what ticking, or if something else is what's ticking.
