Mine makes the same noise from the same area as you describe but maybe not as loud. It comes a goes. I think the weather has something to do with it. I have 229,xxx miles on it right now. I would be interested in what you find. 
98 5vz-fe loud tapping/knocking advise needed
- Thread starter Randy
- Start date
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I knew I saw something on this before... I did read that on this truck, the EVAP Canister solenoid can make noises like this and easily be misdiagnosed as rod knock. That might be something to look into. The same situation is true with the canister - the noise starts after the engine is warmed up.
Duane
IH8MUD Wookie
Thanks pepsilvr.. always good to hear of others finds.
I am keen on what Randy finds out as well.
My worry is to go chasing a noise/problem and not being able to fix it either.
Lots of GM and Chrysler owners have paid dealerships good coin to swap parts and labor to still have problems/symptoms.
I am finally driving our 99 as a DD that ticked once in a while and it seems to be quiet for now. Still hoping my problem was/is a sticky lifter. If my tick comes back I still want to time it to see if it ticks at a frequency of engine rpm or is at a fraction of that to narrow down possible components.
I am keen on what Randy finds out as well.
My worry is to go chasing a noise/problem and not being able to fix it either.
Lots of GM and Chrysler owners have paid dealerships good coin to swap parts and labor to still have problems/symptoms.
I am finally driving our 99 as a DD that ticked once in a while and it seems to be quiet for now. Still hoping my problem was/is a sticky lifter. If my tick comes back I still want to time it to see if it ticks at a frequency of engine rpm or is at a fraction of that to narrow down possible components.
- Thread starter
- #24
Sorry for the long delay, but I was involved in a serious motorcycle accident on my way to work on 1/25/10 and have been trying to heal. The noise was caused by 2 faulty pistons, here is the worst one.
Most likely the previous owner overheated the thing and didn't know he/she had damaged the pistons. After having the heads and gaskets replaced for $2,500, the motor started making noises after they resumed driving it and they decided to cut their losses and trade it in. The used car lot I bought it from said they purchased at an auction and couldn't hear the engine noise until after they bought it. I got a screaming deal on the thing, but since I'm laid up for a while, its gonna sit until I'm well enough to get back on it.
Considering the cost of parts for the 5vz engine, I think I will look for a used engine to install and keep the rebuilt heads as spares or sell the rebuilt heads to recoup some $.
i'll keep you posted.
Most likely the previous owner overheated the thing and didn't know he/she had damaged the pistons. After having the heads and gaskets replaced for $2,500, the motor started making noises after they resumed driving it and they decided to cut their losses and trade it in. The used car lot I bought it from said they purchased at an auction and couldn't hear the engine noise until after they bought it. I got a screaming deal on the thing, but since I'm laid up for a while, its gonna sit until I'm well enough to get back on it.
Considering the cost of parts for the 5vz engine, I think I will look for a used engine to install and keep the rebuilt heads as spares or sell the rebuilt heads to recoup some $.
i'll keep you posted.
Duane
IH8MUD Wookie
Randy...sorry to hear about the accident. Hope all is mending well. Somebody cut you off? That used to p%$& me off as some car driver could be looking square at you and not see ya and pull out...
At any rate thanks for posting up the pic of that ugly looking slug. Sort of makes me worry about my engine as I think it was heated up when the previous owner had a small garage do the timing belt and perhaps failed to refill and bleed the coolant or something.
Did this engine just tick or did it use any oil, foul plugs in the 2 bad holes??
Thanks also for the comment that the parts to rebuild $ would be better spent buying a used engine. Too much to even do a cheap rebuild on replacing 2 pistons, rings and sleeves/liner or can a guy replace them in the 5vz?
Get better soon!
At any rate thanks for posting up the pic of that ugly looking slug. Sort of makes me worry about my engine as I think it was heated up when the previous owner had a small garage do the timing belt and perhaps failed to refill and bleed the coolant or something.
Did this engine just tick or did it use any oil, foul plugs in the 2 bad holes??
Thanks also for the comment that the parts to rebuild $ would be better spent buying a used engine. Too much to even do a cheap rebuild on replacing 2 pistons, rings and sleeves/liner or can a guy replace them in the 5vz?
Get better soon!
Sorry to hear about your accident. I hope you are doing better. Also, thanks for posting the pic and your findings. It does make me worry about my ticking noise now. I hope it's nothing like that!
- Thread starter
- #27
mine was a very loud tick/light knock sound and would go away if I put it in gear and applied a load. These complicated little motors are very well built, I doubt yours is hurt this bad. You will really need to pin down the source/general area of the noise to properly diagnose.
I was bummed to find out a quality gasket set is almost $500 alone, plus TTY head bolts are $125. Now add the cost of boring the block, new pistons and rings, machining the deck and having the heads checked out now pushes the cost into the $1,500+ range. A rebuilt long block will probably be in the $2,000 range when all is said and done. A used motor is about $1,000.
Thanks for all the well wishes.
- Thread starter
- #28
Don't panic, these are very bomb proof motors that will live a very long life unless they are completely neglected. Your motor is fine, just try to get to the bottom of the source and fix it if its an issue. Most times its either nothing or a minor issue. Keep us posted.
Duane
IH8MUD Wookie
Randy...How is the healing coming? Have you got an engine back in your runner?
- Thread starter
- #30
Still waiting to heal up enough to fix it, 6 months of laying on my back is killing me. I hope to begin working on the motor within a month or two.
Duane
IH8MUD Wookie
Holy.... that was a bit more than a flesh wound... well that is a very very very long time.... I'd be a mudaholic by now or something... well hope things are healing properly.. hope you get back on your feet soon!
I have a similar problem with my 96 4 runner 3.4, but this is a brand new rebuilt engine that makes the same noise;
1. after it warms up,
2. that goes away after 1200rpm
3. run great with no chech engine light coming on.
The interesting thing is that this happened with the first rebuilt installed a few weeks ago. as it is under a 2 year warranty, i took it back and he installed another rebuilt. when i picked it up and tested it, it started the SAME knocking sound. the mechanic was shocked as, he said, he tested it for almost an hour with no problems/sound.
since he used the same 'knock sensors' as in my original engine, he says that one of these is most likely the culprit. he's ordered the sensor, and will install next week.
i noticed on post saying it might be a transmission problem?
i'm sure this engine rebuilder will make it right, but at this point could use some more information.
1. after it warms up,
2. that goes away after 1200rpm
3. run great with no chech engine light coming on.
The interesting thing is that this happened with the first rebuilt installed a few weeks ago. as it is under a 2 year warranty, i took it back and he installed another rebuilt. when i picked it up and tested it, it started the SAME knocking sound. the mechanic was shocked as, he said, he tested it for almost an hour with no problems/sound.
since he used the same 'knock sensors' as in my original engine, he says that one of these is most likely the culprit. he's ordered the sensor, and will install next week.
i noticed on post saying it might be a transmission problem?
i'm sure this engine rebuilder will make it right, but at this point could use some more information.
96 toyota 3.4 knocking noise, pt. 2 knock sensors?
got an automotive stethoscope. sure enough the loudest knocking sound comes from BOTH knock sensors. no check engine light. no real sound coming from under the engine or any other part than the k. sensors. possible wiring problem?
btw, got a rebuilt because of a cracked head and 200k miles, coolant in cylinders, etc. never overheated, all maintenance done as scheduled.
got an automotive stethoscope. sure enough the loudest knocking sound comes from BOTH knock sensors. no check engine light. no real sound coming from under the engine or any other part than the k. sensors. possible wiring problem?
btw, got a rebuilt because of a cracked head and 200k miles, coolant in cylinders, etc. never overheated, all maintenance done as scheduled.
Man, I have been developing the same exact noise on the drivers side, somewhere in the mid to low area of the motor as well. I don't think my truck has ever overheated, I have owned it for three years and put 50,000 miles on it, and it only has 165,000 miles now. It definitely has not overheated in that time that I have owned it. I maintain the truck well. I changed timing belt, h2o pump, and all tensioners/pulleys and all drive belts. I need to check the valve clearances, but it doesn't sound like a valve noise. It sounds exactly like this noise, only a little more faint. Could I have the same problem if truck has never overheated? And if I need a new motor, where should I look? I live in the Bay Area, but my parents live in the Mojave, which is where I would likely do the swap. Any feedback is greatly appreciated!
Ps- I have a 97 4Runner Limited 4x4
