Engine ticking noise - intermittent Options

[rocketcost]

Hi everyone,

After looking through a great many threads and posts, I haven't come across any definitive answers to the illusive "ticking under the valve cover" problem.

I have similar situations to others: Oil got to the low point on the dip stick, however, it was never too low as to not register - In my defence, I was about 1000 kms below my next oil change. Shame on me for not checking more often tho

I'm posting here now because the ticking comes and goes, without any sign, rhyme or reason. The best clue I have is it sometimes happens when the car is at it's hottest state after a reasonable drive on a mild day.

Any ideas? I can assure you all that I have confirmed that I am not hearing the injectors. Those guys ALWAYS tick (as they should).

Thanks for any input you might have!

[rocketcost]

Thanks for all the good input. I do have the 7A-FE . I will try out a thicker oil and see if that helps. Am I right in assuming I do not have rod knock if this is an issue that comes and goes? Or maybe that the rod joints have become fatigued do to not enough lubrication/cooling, and now as they heat up, they are expanding too much causing knock?

Im not sure. Just taking a stab in the dark. I have spent 100's of hours on my mr2 3sgte, and these engines don't share much in common...

Thanks guys!