Tundra Ticking when cold

[JCasper]

A friend of mine is very worried. He just bought a 2003 Toyota Tundra with the 4. 7L V8 in it. It only has about 28K on it. When he starts it in the morning it ticks for about 5-10 minutes. He has been told by a couple of mechanics not to worry about it. One told him it is piston slap caused by the oval pistons that Toyota uses. Once it is warm they are tight and don't do it.



Does anyone have some ideas I can relay to him.

 

[UP N MTNS]

A friend of mine is very worried. He just bought a 2003 Toyota Tundra with the 4. 7L V8 in it. It only has about 28K on it. When he starts it in the morning it ticks for about 5-10 minutes. He has been told by a couple of mechanics not to worry about it. One told him it is piston slap caused by the oval pistons that Toyota uses. Once it is warm they are tight and don't do it.



Does anyone have some ideas I can relay to him.

My old Toyota(4 banger) did that it's whole life... . 215K

 

[MRFost]

Do what? Oval pistons? I have a hard time buying that. How would you get the crosshatch scratch pattern in an oval hole? THey might end up oval at the end of their life... ?

 

[Bill Lins]

Could it have an exhaust manifold leaking? My old Chevy 350 does & it ticks until the manifold heats up & expands enough to seal off.

 

[CLiberty]

Could be piston slap, a fella in my dealer did a 4. 7 over the past summer for piston slap (warranty). Hard to believe but yes the pistons are cast/machined ever so slightly oval and as they come up to temp they go round. Supposedly it allows the use of tighter piston/wall clearances. More than likely tho it`s just a leaking exhaust manifold... very very common, IIRC there might even be a TSB for it (updated manifolds&gaskets). I`vr seen more drivers side ones leak/tick than pass side for whatever reason. Might want to try browsing over here http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/

 

[JCasper]

Thanks for all the help everyone. I have passed all this info on to my friend who owns the truck. He can't get the dealer to do anything, but has it documented and does have some warranty left still.