Valvematic ticking or tapping on idle is actually the vacuum pump.

[Konrad C]

I have noticed that some owners of cars with Valvematic or Vmatic for short, have queried the tapping or ticking noise coming from the engine during idle. The reason is because of the way the engine has been designed, the throttle is always open so there is very little vacuum produce in the inlet. So a vacuum pump is used to create the vacuum for the brake servo, just like a diesel engine. This vacuum pump will sound louder in a petrol engine, as it is masked by the clatter of a diesel engine. 

The problem is when owners are not familiar with the Vmatic engine, and think the ticking is something wrong with the top end of the engine, as usually associated with worn camshaft.

http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/topic/178167-slight-engine-tapping-valvematic/#comment-1445262

 

So owners of these engine have nothing to worry about.

I will post this in the Avensis and Rav4 forums which use Vmatic engines. 

Edited May 20, 2017 by Konrad C
grammar correction

[Burton4130]

I decided to remove the brake vacuum pump last night, to check for any abnormalities which may be causing this intermittent ticking noise at idle. I'd read that the Toyota pumps are noisy and that the blow off valve is the cause.
You can see the valve was bent and after some consideration, I removed the valve plate and straightened back to its original angle.
Let's see how it goes... 🤞🏼