2007 ES350 has a tick-tick-tick_ _ _ _ sound.

[Graybeard]

My ES350 has developed an unusual sound. With only 10,000 miles on it, and
burning Premium (what a misnomer) gasoline, it is making a ticking sound
when I accelerate. The sound was not noticed until it got cold here in
Florida and the AC was turned off.

Also, the sound is loudest when the engine is cold. When the temp reaches
normal, the sound is barely audible. It is also most noticeable when
accelerating up a hill.

The tick-tick sound reminds me of the ping we heard due to pre-ignition on
the old cars. That is a sound that I haven't heard in years. Also, I
recall a similar sound due to valve noise on the old OHV engines.

I thought that the new computer controlled engines contained a "noise
detector" that adjusted the timing or something to prevent that problem.

Does anyone have any experience with this condition? I have an appointment
with the dealer in a few days, but feel that they are going to ignore the
problem and tell me that it is "natural" or some such thing.

Regards,
Graybeard

[Ice]

I can't say for sure what is going on with this noise but I can tell you I
have a 2003 ES with 30K and have used regular gas only and have no noise
whatsoever .

Post by Graybeard
My ES350 has developed an unusual sound. With only 10,000 miles on it,
and burning Premium (what a misnomer) gasoline, it is making a ticking
sound when I accelerate. The sound was not noticed until it got cold here
in Florida and the AC was turned off.
Also, the sound is loudest when the engine is cold. When the temp reaches
normal, the sound is barely audible. It is also most noticeable when
accelerating up a hill.
The tick-tick sound reminds me of the ping we heard due to pre-ignition on
the old cars. That is a sound that I haven't heard in years. Also, I
recall a similar sound due to valve noise on the old OHV engines.
I thought that the new computer controlled engines contained a "noise
detector" that adjusted the timing or something to prevent that problem.
Does anyone have any experience with this condition? I have an
appointment with the dealer in a few days, but feel that they are going to
ignore the problem and tell me that it is "natural" or some such thing.
Regards,
Graybeard

[David Z]

Post by Ice
I can't say for sure what is going on with this noise but I can tell you I
have a 2003 ES with 30K and have used regular gas only and have no noise
whatsoever .

OK, but does your transmission hestitate and/or jerk?

[Ray O]

Post by Graybeard
My ES350 has developed an unusual sound. With only 10,000 miles on it,
and burning Premium (what a misnomer) gasoline, it is making a ticking
sound when I accelerate. The sound was not noticed until it got cold here
in Florida and the AC was turned off.
Also, the sound is loudest when the engine is cold. When the temp reaches
normal, the sound is barely audible. It is also most noticeable when
accelerating up a hill.
The tick-tick sound reminds me of the ping we heard due to pre-ignition on
the old cars. That is a sound that I haven't heard in years. Also, I
recall a similar sound due to valve noise on the old OHV engines.
I thought that the new computer controlled engines contained a "noise
detector" that adjusted the timing or something to prevent that problem.
Does anyone have any experience with this condition? I have an
appointment with the dealer in a few days, but feel that they are going to
ignore the problem and tell me that it is "natural" or some such thing.
Regards,
Graybeard

Sounds are difficult to diagnose without experiencing them first hand. Your
engine does have a knock sensor that detects engine knocking. If knocking
is detected, the computer will retard the ignition timing until the pinging
or knocking stops, usually within 3 seconds. If you hear the sound while
the engine is idling, it is probably not knocking or pinging.

[Graybeard]

Thanks Guys:

No David, the tranny seems to perform beautifully.

Ray (my brother's name), I appreciate your inputs, which I have noticed for
a couple years. The knock (or ping) is not audible while idling. At least,
not to my aging ears. The most interesting thing to me is that the knock
almost disappears after the engine warms up to operating temperature.

Today is Saturday and my appointment is Monday with the dealer. I'll let
you all know what the dealer says!

Graybeard

Post by Ray O

Post by Graybeard
My ES350 has developed an unusual sound. With only 10,000 miles on it,
and burning Premium (what a misnomer) gasoline, it is making a ticking
sound when I accelerate. The sound was not noticed until it got cold
here in Florida and the AC was turned off.
Also, the sound is loudest when the engine is cold. When the temp reaches
normal, the sound is barely audible. It is also most noticeable when
accelerating up a hill.
The tick-tick sound reminds me of the ping we heard due to pre-ignition
on the old cars. That is a sound that I haven't heard in years. Also, I
recall a similar sound due to valve noise on the old OHV engines.
I thought that the new computer controlled engines contained a "noise
detector" that adjusted the timing or something to prevent that problem.
Does anyone have any experience with this condition? I have an
appointment with the dealer in a few days, but feel that they are going
to ignore the problem and tell me that it is "natural" or some such
thing.
Regards,
Graybeard

Sounds are difficult to diagnose without experiencing them first hand.
Your engine does have a knock sensor that detects engine knocking. If
knocking is detected, the computer will retard the ignition timing until
the pinging or knocking stops, usually within 3 seconds. If you hear the
sound while the engine is idling, it is probably not knocking or pinging.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

[Ray O]

Post by Graybeard
No David, the tranny seems to perform beautifully.
Ray (my brother's name), I appreciate your inputs, which I have noticed
for a couple years. The knock (or ping) is not audible while idling. At
least, not to my aging ears. The most interesting thing to me is that the
knock almost disappears after the engine warms up to operating
temperature.
Today is Saturday and my appointment is Monday with the dealer. I'll let
you all know what the dealer says!
Graybeard

Ticking sounds that disappear after the engine warms up could be piston slap
or valvetrain noise. Another remote possibility is a pulsation from the
fuel line or fuel return line, but I have not heard of that causing noise in
a long time.

[Ice]

No David my trans does not hesitate or jerk .

Post by Graybeard
My ES350 has developed an unusual sound. With only 10,000 miles on it,
and burning Premium (what a misnomer) gasoline, it is making a ticking
sound when I accelerate. The sound was not noticed until it got cold here
in Florida and the AC was turned off.
Also, the sound is loudest when the engine is cold. When the temp reaches
normal, the sound is barely audible. It is also most noticeable when
accelerating up a hill.
The tick-tick sound reminds me of the ping we heard due to pre-ignition on
the old cars. That is a sound that I haven't heard in years. Also, I
recall a similar sound due to valve noise on the old OHV engines.
I thought that the new computer controlled engines contained a "noise
detector" that adjusted the timing or something to prevent that problem.
Does anyone have any experience with this condition? I have an
appointment with the dealer in a few days, but feel that they are going to
ignore the problem and tell me that it is "natural" or some such thing.
Regards,
Graybeard

[j***@hotmail.com]

Ask your dealer to locate the source of noise within the engine (eg.
upper cylinder head, timing cover, lower block). The 3.5L should work
fine on regular 87 (R+M)/2 gas too with the timing automatically
adjusted to compensate.

Let's hope it's in the easier areas of the engine. Poor piston/
cylinder fit selection is a cost-containment reason on a production
line for piston slaps. "Essentially, the piston moves sideways and
"slaps" or "knocks" hard against the cylinder bore and causes damage
to the engine pistons and cylinders, excessive smoke emissions,
excessive oil consumption, carbon buildup on piston heads, decreased
mileage, and a loud and obnoxious "slapping" or "knocking" noise, all
of which diminishes vehicle resale value in the trade."

Post by Graybeard
My ES350 has developed an unusual sound. With only 10,000 miles on it, and
burning Premium (what a misnomer) gasoline, it is making a ticking sound
when I accelerate. The sound was not noticed until it got cold here in
Florida and the AC was turned off.
Also, the sound is loudest when the engine is cold. When the temp reaches
normal, the sound is barely audible. It is also most noticeable when
accelerating up a hill.
The tick-tick sound reminds me of the ping we heard due to pre-ignition on
the old cars. That is a sound that I haven't heard in years. Also, I
recall a similar sound due to valve noise on the old OHV engines.
I thought that the new computer controlled engines contained a "noise
detector" that adjusted the timing or something to prevent that problem.
Does anyone have any experience with this condition? I have an appointment
with the dealer in a few days, but feel that they are going to ignore the
problem and tell me that it is "natural" or some such thing.
Regards,
Graybeard