There are several new forum members and FJ Owners who get rather atwitter when they hear the infamous Toyota Tap. Before heading to the dealer to get it looked at try this 50 cent mod!
That annoying tapping sound you hear at idle is not your lifters, injectors or your headers. There is an emission control component called the PWM-vacuum switching valve screwed to the intake manifold on the drivers side. You can access it by removing the plastic shield over the intake manifold. It is held in place by a single screw. This thing activates when the vehicle is at idle and at temperature. Look in the red circled area for the general location of the PWM Valve.
To minimize the tapping sound coming from it, you nee to isolate this component from the manifold. The manifold is resonating the sound from the valve making it loud.
Here's what I did to minimize the noise:
You will need 2 rubber o-rings ( I used R03 nitrile o-rings) and a 10 mm Nutdriver or wrench.
After removing engine cover,
remove bolt that holds the valve to the manifold (no need to disconnect any lines or harness)
Place an O-ring on the bolt and push it to the head of the bolt.
Slip the bolt through the valve and slide the other o-ring over the bolt.
re attach valve tightening enough to compress the o-ring and snug the bolt. The o-rings should be enough to keep the bolt from vibrating out.
Replace cover and enjoy the silence! In picture 2 is the bolt you take out and place your isolator upon. I used very thick double sided tape in the same manner as described above!
***This may not eliminate this noise, but it sure quieted mine down.
So, don't worry about trying different weight oil (use the recommended only) or any other drastic measures. From what I have read, most if not all toyotas in the last 5 years have this tick. Maybe the factory should do something about it. I think that Toyota should find a quieter valve or make an isolated mounting kit. Mud is also a sound deadener I opted for and have been applying slowly over the past several months!
__________________ BLACK CHERRY,ATM ,4 WHD, REAR DIFF LOCK, A-TRAC HACK,TOYOTA HITCH,TOYOTA ROCK RAILS ,CONVENIENCE PKG,BULL BAR, HELLA 500.SIRIUS RADIO,UNIDEN C.B. SCUBA MOD THANKS TO CAPT. RICK AND SLITHER!!!
"HATE IS BAGAGE,LIFE IS TO SHORT TO BE PISSED OFF ALL THE TIME"
I found it a year ago and has saved me the headache ever since! There have been a couple of posts here and in "Engine Maintenance" regarding the "tapping" noise. I figured I'd repost a great cheap mod and give it a couple of pics for reference
Try what yet..... the fix? Have you read thru the thread highlighted in the first post? A ton of us have. Takes 2 minutes, costs maybe 40 cents and gets rid of most of the loud tapping.
DEWFPO
__________________ 2007 FJ, 5AT, Sun Fusion Yellow, CQ, UP, GY, RB, 2Q, EL, VS.
"Wanted - young, skinny, wiry fellows, not over 18. Must be expert riders willing to risk death daily. Orphans preferred"
Original newspaper add placed by William Hepburn Russell, founder of the The Pony Express
BLACK CHERRY,ATM ,4 WHD, REAR DIFF LOCK, A-TRAC HACK,TOYOTA HITCH,TOYOTA ROCK RAILS ,CONVENIENCE PKG,BULL BAR, HELLA 500.SIRIUS RADIO,UNIDEN C.B. SCUBA MOD THANKS TO CAPT. RICK AND SLITHER!!! 
Maybe the Mods should make this a sticky if this is a fairly common characteristic...just a thought, but I am new around here, what do I know. 
2007 FJ, 5AT, Sun Fusion Yellow, CQ, UP, GY, RB, 2Q, EL, VS.
"Enjoying the Journey"
Linear Mode
