Ok, First: 90 4Runner, 22re, 5-speed, 4x4, 190,000mi.

so this all started here:

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...change-225772/

After the advice from the forums, I opened up the valve cover prior to my trip, and well, it all looked good to me--The timing chain guides were intact, and there was tension on the chain on the passenger side, with slack on the driver's side--I can pull the chain enough to make it touch the chain guides, but it hangs wihtout touching anything. So I closed the engine up and headed out West.

While in California, I decided to take my truck to a shop that I had gone to a few years prior--a nice family run place, who seemed to be honest and reliable. I asked if they would adjust the valves and look at the timing chain to see if they too thought it looked fine. The mechanic told me that the chain looked like it had been replaced, the guides were in tact, and that the debris I found in the pan was probably from the original chain guides, and the PO had never dumped the oil pan (I have had this car for two years, could old debris still be in the pan?).

 

im no pro mechanic or anything and cant tell you what your noise is, buuuut i can give you an idea for the drain plug prob. if you have the room, take a grinder to the plug to make two flat sides that you can then use a crescent wrench on. might save you a little trouble. then again it could be a horrible idea that wiil inevitably be the start of hereditary baldness in your future. i say take the chance!!!!!!! baldness never hurts if you dont mind wearing hats. have fun im goin for another captain/coke.

 

If possible drill out the drain plug with an easy out. A lot easier said than done but hey. and no clue what the knocking could be.