Timing belt or chain?

Just need some facts. '09 Taco double cab 4.0L V6 auto. Does this truck have a timing belt or chain? I believe the tickin I hear is coming from the timing mechanism. Any advice??

 

Chain

 

That's where all the freaking noise/ticking is coming from. I put a stethoscope on the cover, sounds like a bunch of donkeys in there. I need to get a hold of a video on changing that.

 

Noise may not be the chain itself, but something else.

Miles?

 

ticking taco is what I call it

 

Start with the serpentine belt idler pulleys before you tear into the engine. Mine had 2 trashed pulley bearings: AC idler and power steering pump idler. They made noise like internal engine sounds, as they're bolted directly to the timing cover.

 

That's worth checking into. Thanks. Any idea how i determine whether my engine is interference/ non- interference timed? In other words will a busted timing chain ruin my engine?

 

Clearwater bill 125000

 

Would be pretty unusual to be a chain at that low a mileage on a modern era vehicle.

I'd start with what @craigs1 one suggested.

Chain of yore made more of a slapping sound on the cover when they got stretched. Very rarely did they break.

 

Chain

 

Yes interference. All vvti engines are

 

So i could safely assume with a chain it would be a non-interference engine, right?

 

My chain was stretched over 1/2 a tooth at the bank 1 intake cam, check engine light was coming on daily with error code P0016. And it made zero noise. If you think your chain is problematic, remove the small 4-bolt plate on the front of the timing cover, just above the power steering pump. Grab a pic of the chain tensioner showing how far the plunger is extended and post it here.

 

Check the engine oil

 

craigs1 Thank you, sir.

 

Welcome! Timing chains usually give plenty of warning signs that they're having issues long before they break. With the 1GR-FE V6 engine, P0016 seems to be the most common warning sign and indicates elongation (stretch) due to wear. Below are pics of my new #1 chain (left) versus the worn-out factory chain (right), the factory tensioner I removed showing telltale sludge rings as the plunger ratcheted out one tooth at a time, and my replacement tensioner showing how far it extended as the chain continued to stretch. The tensioner plunger should be extended about 1/4"...this sucker was nearly 3/4" extended.

I used a mechanic's stethoscope at various locations on the timing cover and there was no chain noise associated with all this stretch. The tensioner did its job and kept the chain tight.

 

Now that, sir, is a response. Thanks

 

how many miles did you have when this happened?

 

The original owner took it to the dealer at 94K miles for the check engine light, they quoted him a new engine due to sludge. Idiot was changing the oil at average 20K mile intervals according to CarFax records. He sold it to me cheap with 164K miles when he couldn't get it through state inspection due to the CE light. Replacing the 3 timing chains, the sprockets, guiderails, and tensioners cost $600 in parts, and a few long weekends in the garage doing the work.