4.7 v8 ticking sound

Just joined the forum. I have a2007 4Runner V8. I have a ticking sound only audible from out side the vehicle. When I bought it it was making this sound. I have isolated the sound from the drivers side black cover covering the cam shaft. I have googled it and gone through the posts here.
Any thoughts on the problem being the VTT on the cam shaft not being held in place when the timing belt was replaced? I have ruled out in my head that it could be the VVT actuator (solenoid) as I do not have a CEL on and the oil is clean on the dipstick. The only other thing that I notice is with the a/c on can feel a slight decrease in speed when the clutch cycles. I believe this to be caused by not getting the proper advance from the VVT.

 

Video? Ticking can be a lot of things.

Welcome to the forums!

 

How many miles? Could be the timing chain.

 

V8. It's a belt.

 

It sounds somewhat like a lifter although not as fast. Not as clicky as lifter sounds. It is a V8 and has a belt not a chain. I have ruled out exhaust as I have doe the hose and screwdriver sounding thing. It has 200k motor was rebuilt at 170k according to last owner. New timing belt tensioners water pump the complete thing last month.
I live on the Baja so a true Toyota mechanic is not available.

 

Are you sure it's not an exhaust leak? The manifolds on those are known to crack. Mine had a slight leak that sounded like a tick.

Edit, just saw your post above this

 

If you step on the accelerator while in P does the sound change with RPMs or stay consistent?

 

Yes the noise changes with RPM. I have a video with the noise but not sure how to upload it

 

Could be an electrical arcing sound. That would be more of a ticking sound unlike a lifter.

 

It sounds like it is coming from the black cam cover. Still trying to upload a video

 

Well I started this thread on February 3rd. I read somewhere on some forum that the ticking sound could be coming from the VVT gear not being in the proper position when the timing belt is replaced. So I had to check it out as I was positive it was not an exhaust leak. Both exhaust cams were not in the proper time. The VVT gear or sprocket was not preloaded. According to the former owners wife the engine was rebuilt awhile ago. I’m thinking that’s when the noise started but can only confirm that once everything was put into proper alignment I no longer have that ticking sound.

 

Hopefully there's no internal damage. These are interference motors. Do you think the ticking was the exhaust valves hitting the intake valves? Or, maybe the pistons?

 

The exhaust cams were not off by much. The VVT gear was not preloaded and that was the noise. It was free wheeling on the end of the cam. It was unable to advance the cam timing. The only drivability I noticed was it had a slight loss of power when the a/c cycled. No cel which I found hard to believe. It runs perfect now and no tick.