So, my '85 4runner started to make a nasty tick last week. I used the good ol long screwdriver to the ear trick to try and locate the problem. Definitely the last piston (back of the engine next to firewall). So I reached out and fiddled with the spark plug wire. The ticking softened, and while I was holding the plug, I could feel it "bouncing". I'm guessing the piston is hitting the spark plug. That's the only thing I can think of, but maybe it's something else? If it is the piston hitting spark plug, what does this mean as far as fixing it? Are there any threads here that can walk me through what needs to be done?

Thanks
Evan

 

Never assume, pull out the spark plug and verify what is happening. If the piston had touched the plug it would not fire on that cylinder as it would deform the plug.

 

I highly doubt that your piston is hitting the spark plug. The 22RE is known to tick badly when the valve cover is snugged down too tightly. Any chance you did that recently?

 

I agree. If that piston travelling at the speed and torque that it does is hitting the spark plug, you'd have ceramic fragments flying all around that cylinder and having more that just a tick noise! More like cataclysmic cylinder failure, and a terrible shake to that engine. You can still pull the plug, it's easy to do, but I think you'll find it is in working condition.

You might be due for a valve adjustment. Also, the valve cover should only be torqued to 52 in.-lbs. That's inches, so that means about 4 1/2 lbs of torque if you use a torque wrench. Basically, just tighter than hand tightening.

 

The first thing I would have done is pull the plug See what is going on.

I suppose carbon could build up enough to hit the plug .

I am looking forward to see how this plays out.

 

Spark plug may have backed out a little...

That'd cause a tick and allow movement.

 

Thanks NothingBetter for the sage advice. Begin simple. I was jumping to the worst conclusion because the tick was so nasty sounding. Cam tom was right on. The plug had backed out a bit, so it eas rattling and ticking. It was loose enough that a 5/8 socket plug was able to unscrew it! Anyway, I pulled the plug out. It looks like oil was leaking around the plug. I put the plug back in and tightened it. Now the engine idles poorly and there is a "hissing" sound. Could it be that running the engine with a loose spark plug ruined the seals around the plug? I have videos I'm working on uploading so you can hear the problem.

Appreciate the help and everyone's generosity.

 

I think a new plug might have been called for??

Did you at least clean off the threads on the plug and the head sounds to me like it is not sealing .

 

Just want to give a final update and bring some closure to this thread. Wyoming9, replacing spark plugs was my going to be my next step. I'm not sure why the old plug wasn't sealing, but a new plug fixed the problem. No sound clicking or chattering or hissing. After 200,000 miles, the 22re purrs. It really is an amazing thing.

Sorry to bother everyone with such a simple problem, but your answers and advice really helped out.

Thanks,

EVars

 

Better to be safe than sorry! Glad it was a simple fix!

 

No worries, glad you got it running!!