Help identify engine tick

[TheDuc]

Ive been trying to figure out the noise my truck makes. Its a loud ticking noise that becomes less noticeable once the truck is warmed up.
What Ive done so far - removed all belts, fan clutch and PS pump to rule out any accessory noise, cut open and inspected an oil filter for particles (none found), unplugged fuel injectors and spark plug wires one at a time with no effect, PO stated that it was checked for piston slap. Using the stethoscope Ive narrowed down the area where the noise is loudest - right below intake manifold around cylinder 3,4
Below is a video. If I had to guess Id say I have a wrist pin problem

 

[TheDuc]

Nobody knows huh?

 

[Samuel642000]

Pretty sure i replied to you on FB, about having the exact same problem but no definitive answer on what it could be. Hoping someone pops in here with an idea.

 

[LongDuck]

The simple stuff, first; loose spark plug on cylinder 3 or 4 (*look for gas seepage in the form of carbon smoke on the red connector). It's pretty loud in your video; is the sound any louder or quieter from underneath?

Also, you say it goes away when warmed up. How long does that usually take?

If its louder from underneath, it would be similar to my original engine that suffered from piston slap on #3/#4 after a significant overheat event. Let's hope it's not that. Also, you said someone checked for that - did they remove the head and look at the cylinder bores?

 

[TheDuc]

The simple stuff, first; loose spark plug on cylinder 3 or 4 (*look for gas seepage in the form of carbon smoke on the red connector). It's pretty loud in your video; is the sound any louder or quieter from underneath?

Also, you say it goes away when warmed up. How long does that usually take?

If its louder from underneath, it would be similar to my original engine that suffered from piston slap on #3/#4 after a significant overheat event. Let's hope it's not that. Also, you said someone checked for that - did they remove the head and look at the cylinder bores?

Wouldn't piston slap result in metal flakes in oil?

 

[LongDuck]

I don't recall any significant metal flakes or glitter in mine, but it all depends on how badly the piston skirts were hammering against the cylinder walls. Recall that slap occurs when the piston is knocked offcenter from either damage to the rings or damage to the bore that causes the piston top to cant the piston at an angle, which causes the skirt to whack against the bore. That motion of the skirt slapping the bore isn't a scrape, but a hammer.

This may be part of the reason why these engines can likely run for quite some time in spite of piston slap, as long as you don't mind the noise and vibration. My engine was still idling well and putting out power,

 

[BILT4ME]

Exhaust leaks
PS Pump gear
Idler pulley worn
Fuel Injector non-op


So many troubleshooting diagnosis things that should take place to determine possible causes.

Compression test
Spark plug inspection
Oil usage
Leak-down test
Bore Scope
Smoke test

We are just passers-by on the interwebs. We can tell you all sorts of things.

I'm pretty sure you've blown your head gasket and the bearings have been munched on the connecting rods. Maybe the main bearings are junk.

What's your ACTUAL oil pressure? ( not the OEM gauge that's horribly inaccurate and means nothing)

 

[TheDuc]

Exhaust leaks
PS Pump gear
Idler pulley worn
Fuel Injector non-op


So many troubleshooting diagnosis things that should take place to determine possible causes.

Compression test
Spark plug inspection
Oil usage
Leak-down test
Bore Scope
Smoke test

We are just passers-by on the interwebs. We can tell you all sorts of things.

I'm pretty sure you've blown your head gasket and the bearings have been munched on the connecting rods. Maybe the main bearings are junk.

What's your ACTUAL oil pressure? ( not the OEM gauge that's horribly inaccurate and means nothing)

All accessories are off. I’m pretty sure my head is fine. How would I measure actual oil pressure?

 

[BILT4ME]

All accessories are off. I’m pretty sure my head is fine. How would I measure actual oil pressure?

You would have to tap into the pressure port where the oil pressure sensor is mounted. Wits' End has a "peace pipe" that is properly threaded and has ports that you can place an actual gauge in the system to measure it.

 

[LazyL]

Sounds like rod knock to me

 

[TheDuc]

Sounds like rod knock to me

Rod knock usually varies in intensity depending on acceleration. But who knows at this point. I have another long block but I really hate the hassle of having the motor swapped.

 

[LazyL]

Rod knock usually varies in intensity depending on acceleration. But who knows at this point. I have another long block but I really hate the hassle of having the motor swapped.

Or could just be a lifter going bad who knows

 

[TheDuc]

Or could just be a lifter going bad who knows

On a 3fe maybe but I haven’t heard anything about 1fz lifter crapping out. It wouldn’t be loose valve lash because it would only get tighter over time. I’m getting ready to crack her open soon but much rather not have to deal with it at all

 

[TheDuc]

Well bad news folks. Guessing PO lied about piston slap.

 

[TheDuc]

Not the best quality images but enough to know theres an issue especially after I checked other bores.
Motor swap or sell as is?

 

[BILT4ME]

Not the best quality images but enough to know theres an issue especially after I checked other bores.
Motor swap or sell as is?

What are you seeing there that's telling you a problem? I see reflections, but not sure what you're focusing on.

 

[TheDuc]

What are you seeing there that's telling you a problem? I see reflections, but not sure what you're focusing on.

Do you see the color difference on the wall? Dark vs light? I think that’s where it’s rubbing

 

[BILT4ME]

Do you see the color difference on the wall? Dark vs light? I think that’s where it’s rubbing

Since I can't really tell a "size" reference, it looks like normal piston ring wear area to me, where the ring stops at the top of its travel. The line at an angle appears to be a reflection of the casting in the top of the piston.

There may be a few vertical scratches in the cylinder wall, but the resolution is so poor, that I'm not really sure.

I figure you've seen it first-hand and have a lot more pics you didn't post, so I leave it to your thoughts. That's why I was asking. I can't really see anything in those two pics that tell me there is a problem. You cannot see piston slap from above anyway, as that shows up on the skirt of the piston as well as in the low side wall of the cylinder.

 

[TheDuc]

Top pic shows what I think is a problem, bottom is a healthy bore. I hope you are correct since that would mean a good engine

 

[BILT4ME]

Top pic shows what I think is a problem, bottom is a healthy bore. I hope you are correct since that would mean a good engine View attachment 2788696

Where (vertically) in the cylinder travel is the piston in your pic?

I'm still not seeing anything.




Wait a minute.......

Now I think I see it. The top of the PISTON has a crack in it, where the top ring land may be breaking off. Is that line a crack in the piston?

What I thought was a casting line in the piston, is actually a crack. Also, in looking at the other pics, what I was think was carbon build-up kinda looks like something was inside that cylinder beating the crap out of the top of the piston?

Have you run a compression test and a leak-down test?