I’ve had a 93 22re with 175k on it for a couple of months got it at 169k. Since I got it It makes a deisel rattling noise for about 2 seconds on startup, it idles fine around 1700 and then drops to about 900 when warm.

It’s running pretty rich with a strong fuel smell from the exhaust. There is also a diesel rattle noise that happens when lightly pressing the gas and when letting off the gas but doesn’t really happen when I step on it.



The Diesel rattling sound hasn’t gotten any worse over time it’s not that loud. Never idles rough. Burning hasn’t gotten worse. I don’t feel like I’m losing power and the rattling doesn’t get worse under load.

 

Rod bearings are the noise you are hearing, it's due to worn bearings and/or low oil pressure.

 

Okay so the oil pressure gauge is not connected the wire is broken. I might have to go on a little road trip with it.

 

What i was trying to say is, Guage your bearings, measure the oil pressure, maybe switch to a different oil filter, check the tolerances on the oil pump.