Loud ticking on cold starts?

[Senor_Taylor]

Hey all! This is a very open-ended and vague question, 95% chance I won't get an answer from this, but it couldn't hurt to try.

For about a week now, on cold starts, my truck will tick for probably 2-3 seconds. If I cut it off and cut it back on, it won't tick. At least it hasn't yet.

Here's a video of it like 10 minutes ago in the R1 parking lot. I can't tell where it's coming from because the only time I ever start my truck, I'm alone in the parking lot, so I have to be in the driver seat. Should I even be worried?

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All the pulleys and the fan seem tight as far as I can tell. Engine is the 5vz-fe. Has anyone experienced something like this? It'd be nice for it be something super simple before I delve into it.

Edit: No codes yet. If I throw one, my ultragauge will tell me the code and I'll post it.

[ViPER1313]

Lifter tick? How's the oil level? A lot of cars with hydraulic lifters will tick just a little bit when first started and it's cold out - I wouldn't worry too much.

[JustinG]

What he said.

Low oil levels can cause this.

But so can cold weather.

Or using a heavier weight oil

It just takes a second to get the oil flowing in the lifters once you crank it up.

[*insertusernamehere*]

Mine ticks too but by the time its warm its fine. I just don't rev it for a few mins. Although for whatever reason the BMW manual says drive "immediately" on cold start ups. I refuse. My oil levels are fine too.

Edit: i just watched the video and we have two different ticks, ignore me. Yours kinda just sounds like how every truck starts to me :dunno:

[CaptainHenreh]

Sounds like lifters to me.

[V1GiLaNtE]

It's a truck.... It's gonna make noises.

[Senor_Taylor]

I was like a TINY bit low on oil. Maybe added a quart of a quart. Started her up and lo and behold, no noise. It's also like 50 degrees today, so it'll take some repeated trials to be sure, though!

Guess she's picky about how much oil she wants...

[ScottyB]

our xterra does the same since we bought it 7 years ago. the lifters will weep/"deflate" their oil level when the car is left to sit for a long time, and combined with the cold weather that makes oil thicker and harder to flow, you're getting noisy lifters until the pump gets some flow going to the top of the engine and the hydraulic chamber of the lifters fills back up with oil. once that happens the lifters will take up the excess lash and go quiet again.

if it makes you feel any better i can take a video of ours and post it so you can compare.

[Senor_Taylor]

Looks like she's good. 3 startups today and all were silent. Doesn't help that it was crazy warm, though.

[NTIman]

Sounds like a Toyota. If it doesn't clack and tick, it ain't a yota :lol: