This is newbish of me but here goes. My 87 4Runnah w/22RE has just been woken from a 14 year nap and some maintenance issues are popping up.

When the engine is hot I hear a valve tick at idle. Fine, they need to be adjusted. But I'm wondering what a timing chain bouncing around sounds like. When I rev the motor in neutral I hear a distinct ticking/clanking sound when the revs are coming back down, specifically in the lower RPM's.

The motor is out of an 85 and I am not sure of the mileage but I think its around 100k. I know I can just take the valve cover off and look but I'm wondering if someone can help describe the symptoms and sounds of a timing chain that's going.

 

Well if you really want to know pull the valve cover.

Get a good flash light and check things out looking at your timing chain guides.

Then figure out what you need to do.

 

Well I already knew that answer!

Since I've never experienced a timing chain problem before, I was wondering if there was a distinct sound that is obvious once you hear it.

My tick isn't bad enough to make me want to adjust the lifters ASAP...it will be a project for over the winter when I have more time. Its the tick/rattle when the RPM's come down after revving that is a new sound for me.

 

Exhaust leak maybe?? Just an idea