1986 22rte regular cab 4x4. 306k miles complete rebuild around 300k however that was about 5 years ago.

I have had the truck since january. When I got it it idled super smooth and quiet.

About 6 weeks ago my headgasket blew(old coolant, crappy gasket)

I replaced the gasket with a toyota one and replaced the chain/guides/tensioner with metal backed guides.

Since the headgasket the truck has a really noisy idle...it sounds like a deisel. It starts up quietly in the morning but after a couple minutes gets really noisy.

Its mostly/only noticeable at idle especially when warm. After the headgasket it would do it about half the time and it has gradually got to the point where its all the time.

I have done several valve adjustments and replaced the adjuster screws without any change.


I'm getting very frustrated and it does not sound healthy...

Any ideas?

valve cover on too tight? i put mine on with stock torque values, and it knocked like a rock-tumbler. try loosening those 4 acorn nuts on top a bit.

Ya its not that...I checked that already...

then you should sell me your truck for a hill of beans and i'll take care of it



i'm out of ideas then. good luck

probably been thought of but your hg replacement did it have all of the oil passage holes in the same spot. im not sure if they are the same as a 22re but there could be minor differences. again just a thought good luck. also heard the rockers can tap the valve cover

Ya it was a toyota headgasket...everything lined up perfectly... Its getting exasperating tho lol...and sorry I like the truck not planning on selling

tried a stethoscope to see exactly where its coming from

I've stethoscoped the whole thing...the noise is loudest without a scope...timing cover is quiet, cylinders at the spark plugs are quiet, oil pan is quiet,
I do hear a clack clack when I put the scope on a couple of the valve cover nuts...the intake side I believe...and the noise changes in volume depending on what side of the nut I have the probe on... It doesn't sound like the noise I'm complaining about...and I don't know what a healthy 22r is supposed to sound like... And it hasn't changed between the valve adjustments. I don't know if it was there prior to the headgasket

The problem noise definitely wasn't there before the headgasket...

its scary loud after i start it when its warm...

check your valve clearance and adjust them, mine did that after i did my hg and I just adjusted them like the manual told me and it purred after that

As stated in the original post... I have done several valve adjustments, and replaced the adjuster screws...no change

Have you checked the cat converter? I have had them run fine then suddenly begin to make noise. Hit the bottom of cat with your hand. If bad you will hear rattle. Of couse only do this when it 's cool not hot,

What spacing are you using for the backlash on your intake / exhaust valves?

I'm going one step tighter than the FSM on each side.

adjusting when hot?

Before I changed the adjuster screws I did it to spec while hot. When I replaced the screws(wich were fine) I did it one step closer while lukewarm.

No change

what are you setting them at? i hve heard of people setting them .001 or a hair more tighter than spec to make the clatter go away.

^ thats what I did. .001 closer than the FSM

I thought the valve adjustment should be done cold?

it says in the book to adjust them hot