I have a 86 runner with a 22re and something has really scared me yesterday. I had the transmission swapped out last weekend because of bad syncro's in the old one and some other non-engine related work done. the next day, I drove it down to get a new tag (sat for a year) and all of a sudden it started making a ticking noise like in the upper valve trane.... It got progressively worse and I got really worried. at first it sounded like the top end and now it sounds like it may be in the bottom end, the strange thing is that it comes and goes. when at idle its really loud but when in gear and pulling it goes completely away and there is no noise at all. a friend of mine sayed I should check the plugs for a wet one because a stuck open injector could be a possible culprit.
I guess my question to you guy's is Have any of you experienced anything like this or is it just optimism on mine and my friends part.
I really hate to think the motor has tanked and I need a new one.....

 

you could need a timing chain take of the valve cover and look down to see if the guides are worn out

 

thanks, I was about to give that a try as well, I am going to ceck the plug thing too. who knows......

 

pulled the plugs and the third one from front to back is definantly running lean, not soaking wet but still a lot darker and damper than the other three. I am going to pull the valve cover off now and chack the timing chain guides.

 

If a plug is darker than the rest that cylinder is running rich. Lean will make the plug clean or white/burnt if it gets too hot.

Rob

 

I thought rich was too much air and not enough fuel, oh well, it's for sure darker than the rest.

 

im pretty sure running rich is to much fuel and not enogh air

 

your right man, had to look it up for myself. I dont know why I remembered that the other way round.....

 

Lean is mean but rich is safer! lol

Rob

 

I took the valve cover off, but everything looked tight and in good order, It almost sounds like a broke piston or something., I cant figure it out. anyone have a similar issue with a 22re. it doesnt knock like a valve clicking or a constant rod knock., it will idle fine but when you rev it up it gets loud with sort of a clack clack clack clack clack noise.

 

exhaust leak due to trans work? worth a thought

 

thanks, yes I already thought about it but it is definantly something metal hitting metal kinda sound. I was hoping the friends suggestion about the fuel injector would yield more hits but as I said in my first post, all this optimism is probably being wasted and I will probably just have to buy another motor.

 

seems like if it were something internal that it wouldn't go away completely when the engine is under load. Sorry i cant help any more... torque converter?

 

x2

My thoughts exactly. If your torque convertor is not pushed all the way back before installing or if your torque convertor bolts are loose........or flexplate for that matter........your engine will make a noise similar to what you are describing.

 

Muffler Berrings???..... Check the valve lash and timing chain. Or drop the tranny and put her back up. Also add a little more thread locker the nex time you put the tranny up.

 

it's a 5 speed, but I did have the clutch replaced., any thoughts on if the clutch could cause that kind of problem??? the only thing with that is that the clutch feels fine and it doesnt matter if it's engaged or not it doesnt change the sound at all.
I am going to try and record the sound and post it up somewhere so if you guy's want you can listen to it as well.