west_89_

hey so ive been researching y my 88 pick up 3VZ-E 4X4 makes a noise that sounds like a marble rattling around usually when im at lower RPMs then push on the gas to speed up. what i have found is its probably my PCV needs to be replaced. i was unable to find any diagrams that would show me where its located and the best method of removing and replacing it. does anyone have a link.
thanks.

Elton

its under the intake manifold and its lots of fun to change

vasinvictor

iTrader: (3)

Spark knock, or detonation also sounds like marbles rattling.

93toyrunner2

Located in passenger side valve cover, medium sized vacuum hose from intake plenum loops around and goes right to the top of it.
I use my spark plug cable removal tool, the ends will grab the pcv valve near the top, and then a lot of prying action to wiggle it out of the valve cover.

west_89_

what would be the cause of spark knock and detonation? and is the a way to prove what the true problem is? sorry bit of a noob.

yotaman85

pinging could be caused bt the timing being off, carbon build up in the cylinders, crap gas and a few other things.

try running the highest octane gas you can get and see if it goes away.

west_89_

ok ive heard of this befor my old roomate suggested that. havent tryed it yet was a little sceptical. if this doesnt not change anything chances are its the PCV right?
thanks for the addvice.

west_89_

oh and my timing was done very recently.

abecedarian

Timing done recently doesn't mean it was done right. If it was done wrong that could cause the timing to be too far advanced which could cause detonation, pinging and that rattling marble sound.

vasinvictor

iTrader: (3)

You are NOT going to hear you PCV rattling. It's not loud even if you're shaking it right beside your ear. Don't waste your time replacing that. Spend your time checking your timing. I'll bet you are going to be advanced too far. Factory is 10*, I can get away with 12* on 87 gas.

sechott

A good pcv sounds like a marble when shook. The nose you hear maybe pinging or exhaust rattle. I also have a nose similar to what you describe. Only it occurs after I pickup speed and back off the throttle just enough to stop excelling. Since I just filled up with 87 I will get some octane boost tomorrow and see if it stops it, if so I know my truck is pinging. I will repost soon.

west_89_

wow! thanks for all the advice! my boss has a timing gun i will borrow and check the timing. otherwise what im understanding this to be is posibly a carbon build up?
thanks.

vasinvictor

iTrader: (3)

Be sure you are in base timing mode before checking timing. Jump TE1 and E1 in the under hood diag port. You can find FSM in the consolidated sticky section at the top of this page if you need reference. Gluck and report back.

thediz1991

Kinda of a noob with the same problem . Il try what u guys suggested.

west_89_

hey so iv drove half a tank on 91 octaine and already the noise is noticebly quieter. seems to be just a carbon build up. come to think of it i do drive it around town at 50 kms in 4th alot to save on gas........................... could defanitaly be the cause. now on to the next thing just found a 2 inch hole in my frame. im going to take the box off spray the crap out of it, cut out the rust/rot and get it patched this weekend.

BMcEL

Seafoam it...if premium gas helped, Seafoam will REALLY help.

93toyrunner2

X2 on the SeaFoam. Some in intake, some in gas tank (1 oz per gallon of gas - translated into Canadian measurements of course)

aa1911

iTrader: (1)

seafoam, or even some lucas injector cleaner won't hurt for sure.

Not saying you SHOULD do this now but I pulled my entire intake manifold (top piece) off and the 500 vacuum lines and inside was something like 1/2" plus carbon build up from the EGR among other things. I bet yours needs cleaning like most of us, that will eliminate a potential problem down the road and get some better airflow.

as for the PCV valve, there's no way you would possibly hear that but if you do change it, recommend some braided hose or a longer chunk of fuel line to replace the stock vacuum line so that the next time it will be easier to change. I actually removed my upper intake plenum because I wanted to change the PCV valve and the rubber grommet that it sits in was hard as crap-had to cut it out, valve would NOT budge. what a nightmare...

like someone said above, PCV valve on this is SUPER fun!

Sorry to hear about the frame, no good...