pruney81

It's got 3100 miles on it now. I drove to San Diego and back last week and I've noticed a knocking/slapping sound that is very loud for about 3-5 seconds if I start it up after I've driven it for an hour and it's sat for about an hour. I changed the oil at 400 miles then I just changed it after 2700 miles and I found tiny chunks of metal I think, that looked like little rocks in my oil pan when I was done. Also, the initial start up after the oil change the knocking/slapping is much louder but only lasts for 5 seconds tops. It seems to have decent power, but it still runs warmer than I think it should. I did put in a dual stage thermostat today but, it looks like I already had one in there it just wasn't a toyota. It said 88 degrees and it had a little hole in it, just like the toyota one I put in. Well, at any rate I'm taking it back to the Toyota 4x4 place in San Jose on Monday. Any thoughts if it's a rod knock, piston slap? The valve cover gasket is already leaking too. I hope everything goes well next week I'll keep you guys posted. Thanks for the help with the t-stat for everyone who responded, your web site was very helpful, way better than the piece o crap Haynes manual I've got. 86 4Runner DLX a.k.a pain in the ass. (for right now anyways)

YotaJunky

If the valve cover gasket is leaking already, my guess is that it wasn't torqued to spec with even distribution or RTV sealant wasn't applied in the areas specified.

DudeBud

If you are having troubles with this motor take it to whoever built it and tell them you want a new one of your money back. If you are finding metal in the oil after 3100 miles its probably a rod berring or timing chain check or even a cam to see if the metal is magnetic if it is then its not a berring. I think you just got a bunck motor or even a used one hey you never know with all the scamers

pruney81

Yea, I think it was pretty much a used motor , it did have a new oil pan though.