Something in my engine bay is rattling and I can't seem to pin point where it's coming from, any help would great!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ielpm...e_gdata_player
(cold start of the engine, that's why the idle may seem a bit high, not that it makes a difference)

The noise happens when accelerating, and cruising down the road. But it's doesnt make the rattling noise 100% of the time. Sometime on a good day, it'll only do it a little. I've tried to find a patter and the only thing I can say is that it does it quiet a bit around 35-45 mph. I have also noticed that my idle has seemed to raise (PCV valve?), but I'm not 100% positive (not having a tach sucks!).

The engine is 100% original with 140,400 miles. I will look through my records tomorrow to see if any engine work has been done by the PO. I'm 99% sure nothing bad been. EDIT: only things that have been done to the engine was a tune up and a replaced cylinder head gasket.

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

I had a noise almost as such, ended up the heat shield over the manifold bolt had perfectly broke around the hole in the shield so it almost made its own washer if that makes sense. Ended up taking the bolt out and putting a bigger washer in and the noise was gone not sure if this is the case but might check all the bolts on there to see if they are tight. Other than that since I have had my truck(exact same make and model as yours) I have fought 6 noises and I'm down to one but it still escapes my thinking and exists. Good luck

 

Thanks for the reply! I'll have to go check to see if it's the heat shield, that thought didn't even cross my mind.

EDIT: bolts were nice and snug...

 

 

Did you by chance over tighten your timing chain cover? I have heard that can cause a noise.

Readjust your lifters?

I have had fan belts to squeal, is yours in good shape, not shredding? About all I can think of right off.

 

Haven't touched the timing chain cover. And sadly, I have no clue how to adjust lifters.

My belts are getting pretty bad, but would that cause the metalish rattle?

 

It does sound like something spinning that is causing the noise. One reason I suspected fan belt. Is fan assembly nice and tight?

If you replaced the head gasket, it will need the valves adjusted. That is a very good possiblity of it rattling. Might have a valve floating, when it is loose enough and at the right speed the cam and valve stem are not in costant contact.

The Haynes manual has a very good description on adjusting the valves on page 1-19 section 18. .08 on the intake and .012 on exhaust. You will need a feeler guage and they can be bought cheap.

If you are concerened about over tighting, just try going a 1/4 turn at a time on each one. It should have some resistance with the feeler guage inbetween the valve stem and the adjusting nut.

 

Just had the timing chain and all around it changed out on my 86Runner... It was making a rattling sound that could be described like what you have described... Rattling is
G O N E now

 

sounds kind of like an exhaust leak to me. My truck was doing that and somehow an exhaust stud had rattled out.

 

The noise sounds like its coming from under the valve cover to me. I would pull the calve cover and check to see if everything is tight and were it should be, and check the timing chain guides.

 

I know this is an old post but any chance you figured it out? My 92 22re is making the exact same noise

 

Yea my '86 22re is making the same exact noise and I'm in the middle of a long drive south thru mountain passes. I'm gonna keep driving and I know for sure its a bad idea and I'll make it worse. Please any advice would be awesome

 

Check any of the exhaust heat shields .

I had the ones on the Cats come loose all the time.

Make a nice rattling noise that can come and go depending on conditions

 

Mine ended up being the timing chain guide. Broke loose and let the chain rattle around.