I'm looking into buying a guys 95 Toyota 4 Runner that he has an awsome deal on but it has some kind of knock in the top of the engine when it gets warm. When the engine is cold it sounds like a perfect engine but when it gets warm the knock slowly appears. Does anyone know anything about the 6 cylinder that would cause this? Is this more than I want to get into money wise? Thanks for any information provided.

 

It's not a knock. It's a tap and yes it's normal. Toyota used a different set-up on the heads. That's what I first thought when I started looking at 4runners.

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if I'm not mistaken the 3.0 uses hydraulic lifters/buckets, if one of these has a small tear in its diaphragm, it may be ok when cold because the oil is thicker but when it warms up and the oil gets thinner it may not be able to adjust properly

 

Nope. Not according to the FSM (never been into the top end of mine). All 3.0's have bucket tappets. As far as the tap or knock, a lot of folks have complained about how noisy their 3.0's are. I haven't really noticed, but I'll listen to it next time my wife lets me drive it. I think part of owning any older vehicle is the understanding that you may have to rebuild/replace the engine. You might take a good look at the body and determine if you think the body is worth the price. Then take it to a Toy dealer and have it evaluated (engine, tranny, transfer case, diffs). Then decide whether you want it.

Some of us have had good experiences with 3.0's, others bad. I think a lot of it depends on how it was treated before you got it. Go for a ride with your buddy, let him drive. Tell him you need some convincing. If he revs it above 4500 rpm consistantly, don't get it. He may have loosened the rods. 3.0's are good engines but low on power. So a lot of guys wear them out by revving the heck out of it.

 

so they are like the 3.4 and 2.7 and use shims on top of the buckets?

 

I don't know about the 3.4 & 2.7, but yes, the 3.0 does use shims on top of the buckets. And if Toyota is as frugal as I think they are, I'll bet the same shims are used on all the engines.

 

If its a true pinging knock then thats no good, but if its more of a tap or some kind of click then thats perfectly normal for the 3.0. I've got a '95, post some pics of it in the engine bay and interior and all that and I'll let ya know how it looks.

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