1FZ cold start engine knock...whose got it?

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Sounds like the timing chain tensioner to me and quite like dozens of healthy 80s with lots of miles I've heard start over the years. Dunno why, but the website viewer only let me rewind it once to hear again then started pissing me off.

DougM


That's weird it wouldn't let you rewind again..

How hard is the tensioner to get to? I know on my VW Vr6 it's easy as pie to replace.
 
X2 on rewind = piss off:mad:

Mine makes roughly the same sound. Sometimes less than others. Only had the truck for 3 months; this was one of my first "mud" searches! I feel fairly reasured that it's not a huge deal. I've read about many trucks with double the mileage of mine that are still going strong.:D
 
I've definitely heard a rod knock...

I was under TN80's 80 when it happened... I just put a down pipe on it and wanted to listen for any exhaust leaks...

When he hit the key, I got an ear full... and it wasn't from the exhaust...

Holy crap...

When the OP came up, it disappeared... He says it does it when it's cold...


210k if it matters... 94, but I don't know for sure...
 
93 1fz 160k does it cold. Since the warmer weather, I haven't heard it. Also she isn't starting on a high rev cold start. I will try it late at night when its colder and see if the cold start kicks in (high idle warm up) if i hear the knock, then what? Don't run your cruiser under 50* outside??? Or is there anyway to kill spark and injectors then crank to build oil pressure, when the pressure builds booyah it starts?
 
that would be sweet... in-cab... The only way i know of is to pull the coil wire to the distributor, but that'll get old after a while...

And I really don't see the point in wiring something like that up as part of the knocking's PM...

Fixing the problem would be the best PM... Then why would you need the interrupt?

But I hear ya on that one... I'm anal about warming machines up... And that would appeal to me.

Wonder if you can use a part from a security system? Wire the key fob in a way to disable the ignition, but not the starter? Hit the key fob, turn over till OP comes up, then hit it again to give you ignition back?

But there could be long term problems... B/c I've never seen an old security system fully functioning, and it might cause a problem not easy to find...
 
wait a minute! Can't you just wire a connection on the negative of the igniter, and just run a simple switch inside the cab?

And when the switch is interrupted, there just won't be a ground to the igniter, and the truck won't fire?

or am I just over simplifying it? I searched Summit thinking there would be a cheap switch, but haven't found a thing... I don't even know what it would be called...
 
I get the typical cold start-up timing chain rattle for about one second on my 96 FZJ-80; it hasn't seemed to change much over time and the engine now has over 200,000 on the clock. I do notice that it quiets down a bit if I use a heavier weight of oil.

Would a true knock from bad engine bearings usually show up with increased metals in an engine oil analysis??
 
I'm a little late to this thread, but I stumbled on it while searching for information on using Lucas.

I had an engineering co-op position at Borg-Warner about 15 years ago. At the time they were trying to solve an issue where the secondary hydraulic chain tensioners on the V8 used in the MarkVIII were rattling during a cold start. They were frantically working on a fix because, although it was a benign problem mechanically, it was a marketing disaster (nobody wants to hear that noise on a brand new $40k car).

The first time I heard my '95 make that rattling sound, I immediately thought "I guess this truck has a hydraulic chain tensioner". The sound I hear now is just like every cold start I heard on the test stand. It's a horrible noise, but completely harmless.
 
I have 289,500 miles and I also hear this knock noise you all talk of on a cold start. I bought the car about 2 months ago for $400. Running Castrol 10w40, premium filter and I hear the noise. How hard is the chain tensioner to replace?

Here is a video of the noise. Listen closely right after start up and you can hear it.


Is there a password for this? It keeps asking me for a damn password to view this.
 
My '96 FZJ makes that awfull start-up noise with 57,000mls.
 
A can of Engine Restore, the stuff in the silver looking beer can. After a few days driving you will be very surprised about increase millage and performance, and no more start up noise, or don't try it, no one listens.
 
My 97 has knocked since I bought it 5 years ago. It’s worse in the winter. Seems better with 5w30 over 15w40. I replaced the chain tensioner. It seemed to get quieter. My truck is at 285k miles. I don’t believe the bottom end has been rebuilt. I did the topend when I bought it. It makes lots of noises but never leaves me stranded.
 
I suspect anyone viewing this thread is also, like me, concerned about rod knock from their Cruiser. Therefore I will post a few observations that might help.

1. Try to identify the exact source of the noise. "Rod knock" apparently can actually be a result of loose or leaky exhaust/EGR components. Apparently also if the AC compressor has issues. If engine internals it could be piston slap or stuck timing chain tensioner. Some owners feel it's a benign noise that can be ignored, likely due to hydraulic chain tensioners.

2. Before planning any kind of teardown, change the oil and see if that affects the noise. Also have the oil analysed. $30 through the mail with Blackstone Free Test Kits | Blackstone Laboratories

3. If your Cruiser knocks only at cold startup (like mine), it's likely due to low oil pressure. There are a couple options:

4. Oil + filter upgrades. There are a million threads on ih8mud about oil. fj80toyman reported quieting his knock-on-cold-startup by upgrading oil & filter to NAPA 1515 filter and Mobil 5000 non-syn 5W-30, + 1 quart Lucas synthetic additive. FXR UPR reports better results using 5w30 over 15w40. (He also replaced the chain tensioner, which quieted things)

5. Engine Internals. If you have to tear into her, it's wise to start with the cheapest, most likely culprits. Some owners report improvements by replacing their chain tensioner. Replacing the main bearings is relatively cheap.

I have PMed other FJZ80 owners reporting cold-start knock. Will update this list as responses come in.
 
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