3rzfe engine rattle?
 

Ok, I am in need of some help! I recently picked up a 95 tacoma with a 2.7L engine. It has 231k on the clock and The previous owner said it had a bottom end noise,which began out of no where. He took the cams out in preparation to remove the head and abandoned the project. I got the truck with a box of parts and decided to put it together just so I could hear said noise. Fired up with no problem, runs smooth, has good power but there is this loud rattling noise that IS NOT A ROD KNOCK OR BOTTOM END NOISE! (i have heard them before and this is not it). In fact the noise quiets down quite a bit, but not completely, as you give it throttle. It almost sounds like a timing chain issue, but I hear these systems unlike the 22re are pretty bullet proof. Also when I had it apart i inspected the guides, tensioner and chain and everything seemed to be ok! I listened for about an hour with a long screw driver, but can not directly pin point the source of the noise. I did notice that the starter sounds pretty crappy, almost like one that isn't shimmed properly, but since toyota doesnt shim starters I suspect a loose flywheel? (the clutch was replaced within the last 15k miles). I'm going to pull the starter tommorow to see if there is any play. Is there anything common on these engines that would cause such a noise? maybe an oil pump? Any help is greatly appreciated!

Hi just wondering if you have sorted the problem as my 1997 toyota prado with the 3rz-fe motor in it has a similar noise to what you are describing. And I can't seem to find the problem. I have just had my overhauled as I thought it might be valves, but no change. I have also eliminated that it might be injector(s), water pump, power steering, or air con and my timing chain and guides are in new condition. Any help would be appreciated
Cheers mark