Maybe the end? (1 Viewer)

[bobthebuilder]

I was driving up a longish grade today holding about 2300rpms and towards the top the truck felt like it lost a little power and developed a "tick". I drove another 5 miles or so to my friends shop to see what his thoughts were. Initially I thought a spun a rod bearing but it doesn't present in the typical rod knock way/sound. It sounds to be on the topside of the engine. When putting the engine under load (held the brake and gave some gas) it actually got quieter. I took a quick video to hopefully get some insight from you guys. My next day off is Friday and I'm hoping I can get the truck into his shop and do an oil pressure test on it. I haven't put 1000 miles on this truck yet and once a week it lets me sit. I know its a 20 year old truck and I'm OK with that but its getting a little old. My 87 BMW is older/more miles and less issues. I'm not here to rant but to hopefully get some help. If it ends up being a major engine issue, I'm most likely going to have to sell the truck, which I DO NOT want to do!

*I tried uploading the video (about 20 secs) via the manage attachments option and it says it an invalid file.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YNdAtMOGW8&feature=youtu.be

 

[Wheelingnoob]

Could be a loose spark plug....he is right does not sound like a normal bottom end knock.

 

[69rambler]

The noise is 1/2 crank speed. I don't think checking oil pressure will help you troubleshoot it.

It sounds like a huff, not a knock/tick.

Try to isolate where the noise is coming from with a mechanics stethascope/dowel/long screwdriver stuck to your head.

I would put a vacuum gauge on the engine and see what the gauge does. If the needle goes nuts then pull the head and see what happened.

 

[bobthebuilder]

I opened the oil cap to look at the oil (not sure why) and the truck almost died. Is that useful? I'll dig into it Friday. I'm starting to be hopeful it's not huge deal.

 

[Wheelingnoob]

I opened the oil cap to look at the oil (not sure why) and the truck almost died. Is that useful? I'll dig into it Friday. I'm starting to be hopeful it's not huge deal.

Sounds like the first thing you should do is a compression check.

 

[bobthebuilder]

Gotcha. I'll do that first. Thanks for the info so far. I hope this isn't the hg

 

[nukegoat]

I opened the oil cap to look at the oil (not sure why) and the truck almost died. Is that useful? I'll dig into it Friday. I'm starting to be hopeful it's not huge deal.

That's expected, actually.

 

[nukegoat]

If you're not afraid to do it yourself, i'd pull the valve cover. It's a bit of a pain to get the bolts near the firewall but doing a visual assessment of the top end will tell you a lot. Timing chain slipper may have broken, or something.

 

[bobthebuilder]

I have no issue with that. While driving, it lost a little power when this noise started

 

[Wheelingnoob]

Like I said compression check first then once you have that info dig in from there. Sounds like that in an engine are rarely cheap and rarely an easy fix.

At the time of the compression check make sure all the plugs are tight before taking them out. I had a plug work its way loose on a Supra I had years ago it made a very similar sound and all hell broke lose when it actually popped out.

 

[bobthebuilder]

That's what I'm afraid of. s***.

 

[SUMMIT CRUISERS]

Sounds like something on the upper end, probably a valve clattering. Remove valve cover and inspect.

 

[bobthebuilder]

I didn't get a chance to pull the valve cover but listening w/ a mechanic stethoscope revealed the sound is most prevelant in the top end. If it is a valve clattering, what would I be looking for when I pull the cover? I know the mid 90s VWs had lifter (cam follower) issues and would wipe the cam out. Do the 1fz engines have similar issues?

 

[86tuning]

That's what I'm afraid of. s***.

Why? A new sparkplug would fix this. $3 fix can't be beat!

 

[bobthebuilder]

Why? A new sparkplug would fix this. $3 fix can't be beat!

HA! I'm sure it'd be more than just a spark plug

 

[superstan26]

HA! I'm sure it'd be more than just a spark plug

I think you're missing the point. What I perceive people are trying to tell you is to rule out the easy, and obvious before you delve into a big project to find that it was just a loose spark plug.
If it were me I'd check to see that all plugs are tight, then do a compression test, then a vacuum test.

 

[Wheelingnoob]

I think you're missing the point. What I perceive people are trying to tell you is to rule out the easy, and obvious before you delve into a big project to find that it was just a loose spark plug. If it were me I'd check to see that all plugs are tight, then do a compression test, then a vacuum test.

That was exactly my point.

 

[Wrench]

You guys are missing the point. He's saying the repair will not be cheap. With that kind of noise.

 

[bobthebuilder]

Oh, now I get it. For some reason I always think worst case scenario. Guess that's a side effect of working in an ER. Thanks for keeping my head outta my arse.

 

[superstan26]

Oh, now I get it. For some reason I always think worst case scenario. Guess that's a side effect of working in an ER. Thanks for keeping my head outta my arse.

I wish you the best!