Edited: trying to upload video now

My 1999 4runner with 3.4 lost oil pressure intermittently a couple weeks ago. We were pulling my boat headed to the lake. The oil light came on and went off several times. I checked the oil, and it was maybe a quart and a half low. After getting to my dad's house ( on the lake) we changed the oil and filter. The oil light never came back on but the noise never went away. Evidently the fram filter stopped up or crushed or something causing it to lose oil pressure. I have had several mechanic buddies look it over and none can come to a general consensus. Some say top end, some say bottom, and others say front cover. None are well versed in this motor as I have had to explain to most of them this is not a pushrod/ lifter type engine. Its a dohc engine. To me its almost like a clattering noise not a knock so to speak. Where do I start diagnosing this? Replacing the engine is out of the question financially. I have rebuilt my old 22re so I am fairly mechanically inclined. I am going to try to take an audio with my phone and post it.

Long story short. Lost oil pressure, changed oil and filter, have oil pressure now, but still has engine noise.

 

is the noise louder while driving or does it stay about the same? if it is louder under load while driving. I would say possible bottom end. most likely the main bearings worn.

 

Yes, it does get louder as the rpms go up.

 

A quart and a half low on a capacity of 5.5 quarts is not good...

Interested to see what you find out.


Andreas

 

Never ever use fram. Notorious for failing.

 

Hope this works. Is that mains or rods? When I drop the pan, how can I tell without removing each cap or main?

http://s683.photobucket.com/albums/v...MDA3Lm1wNA.mp4


Sorry cant get video to upload to here.

 

Doesn't really sound like either to me, but I've not heard them on a Toyota V6.

Sounds more tappy than clunky though. Perhaps it might be worth while taking a look under the valve covers first?

Did you get any sparkly oil out of the oil pan? Thrashed rods and/or mains are going to put out some metal flakes.

 

No, I did not notice any metal in the oil. I even drained the oil filter through a paper towel. There was little to no metal in the towel.

 

Kind of sounds like spun bearings. Is it louder on the top or the bottom of the motor?

Remove the valve covers and see if the cam is okay. If its louder on the topside, check the valve springs. I had a broken spring once on a LS corvette motor years ago and it kind of sounded like that. More of a clicky sound where the valve was just being battered around. But oil starvation would make me think of a crank bearing. Toss in some thicker oil and see if it helps.