3FE engine noise

[mahalkita]

Hello,

just found this nice forum and registered my 20 year old lady in the 3FE section.
Just bought that Landcruiser which is in good condition but the engine is very noisy. It makes a clunking noise like an old diesel engine - sounds like very loud valve noise. I adjusted the valves and checked compression - everything seems to be fine, no broken piston hammering against the valves as far as I can tell..

There is a soundfile on youtube if anybody has an idea where the noise might be coming from - any advise will be highly appreciated!

1991 Toyota Landcruiser Engine Noise 3FE 4.0L - YouTube

Regards from Spokane, WA

 

[Eicca]

Sounds about typical to me, to be perfectly honest. Mine sounds just like that.

 

[mahalkita]

Thanks for your reply!

The noise is much louder than my old 3F motor. Normally I could hear just a slight ticking noise with the old 3F Cruiser. Probably its not very clear on the sound file, but any rpm the noise is very dominant....

 

[Eicca]

I'd have to hear it in person (or in higher quality) to offer a second opinion, but for the most part it sounds like my engine.

I know a guy, his sounded like a diesel from inside the cab.

 

[voorland80]

Does it quiet down some after a good run?
Mine isn't this loud when cold but quiets down considerably after a good drive.
What condition are the belts and pulleys?

 

[mahalkita]

I think the previous owner totally misadjusted the ignition timing. When turning the distributor the noise changed considerably more close what I am used to hear.

The problem what I have now is the high idle speed (1200 rpm) which was ok before I started changing oil, belts, plugs, wires etc. and adjusted the valves. I am checked if I mixed up some of the many vacuum lines but cannot find a fault. Since the idle is very high I cannot adjust the timing correctly because I assume it changes with idle speed. Just set it what sounded best for now.

I have 3 codes, mainly the oxygen sensor plus rich and lean fuel (which I assume ares follow code because of the faulty sensor. Is there some kind of limp mode which could cause the high idle?

Thanks for your help guys!

 

[Eicca]

I would double check that timing... The distributor could be off a tooth.

 

[D1EZEL]

The problem what I have now is the high idle speed (1200 rpm)

I had the high idle problem on my 3fe, it would come and go and took a while to figure out. Turns out it was my cruise control cable, it was very tight and if I bumped the cable it would move the throttle just enough to hold the idle up at 1200.

Eventually figured it out and added some slack to the cable with the adjusting nuts, all is well now.

 

[voorland80]

Also check the dash pot. Mine got stuck.

 

[mahalkita]

I would double check that timing... The distributor could be off a tooth.

Thats exactly what I thought because the adjustment range is wayyy off! Does this matter as long the range is big enough to adjust the correct timing or do I have to remove the distributor and set it correctly?

I found the high idle problem with the help of this forum. The "magic" brass screw was turned out all the way and the dashpot was stuck. The DP is set to 1200 rpm and thats what I had for high idle. Now I can focus on adjusting the distributor correctly and hopefully quiet down the motor.

Thanks for all your help!

 

[mahalkita]

Also check the dash pot (engine compartment, black part, center right-third in photo). Mine got stuck.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/370997-3fe-high-idle.html

Yes, mine was stuck too! Funny I searched for high idle and the DP came up and I checked it before reading your reply.

Thanks a bunch!

 

[Eicca]

Thats exactly what I thought because the adjustment range is wayyy off! Does this matter as long the range is big enough to adjust the correct timing or do I have to remove the distributor and set it correctly?

I found the high idle problem with the help of this forum. The "magic" brass screw was turned out all the way and the dashpot was stuck. The DP is set to 1200 rpm and thats what I had for high idle. Now I can focus on adjusting the distributor correctly and hopefully quiet down the motor.

Thanks for all your help!

You'll definitely want to pull it and set it to proper spec. Good to hear you fixed the idle issue!