Tapping noise in 22re.

I have a 1993 Toyota 4×4 pick up with the 22re motor. I had noticed a tapping noise in the motor for some time that has gotten progressively worse. I adjusted the valve clearance with the engine hot and that helped some. I took the truck to a friend that is a mechanic and he listened to it and said that the timing chain guides are plastic and would break letting the chain slap against the timing chain cover. So I ordered a new timing chain kit with metal guides and installed to specs. The noise is still there, but once again better. I'm wondering if the small pieces of the plastic guides are clogging the oil pick up screen in the oil pan and is causing low oil pressure? The noise is pretty bad when you first crank it for about 4 seconds then lets up. After the engine is up to operating temperature it is better, but still there. I have tried adding Lucas oil stabilizer and that didn't help either. Should I remove the oil pan and check the pick up screen? I also installed a new oil pump when I did the timing chain kit. Please HELP!

 

22r/re poor plastic guide design are prone to break. When they break, the chain will have major slack causing the timing tensioner to weaken. If not replace at the same time when replacing the guide, I'd seen them make noise as well.

Or, Possibly a scare block?

I never heard a 22r/re engine not make some kind of noise.. tho I never own a brand new oe engine from toyota.

 

The kit I ordered came with a new tensioner, oil pump, chain, cam and crank sprockets, water pump, timing chain cover. I torqued everything with a torque wrench. Got my timing marks perfect. I think that I had saw something on the web that if you didn't remove the oil pan and check the pick up you could have poor oil pressure if enough of the plastic pieces of chain guides clogged the screen some? I didn't think that there was enough missing from the ones I removed to warrant removing the oil pan? I guess that I shouldn't have half -assed the repair and done the job right the first time?

 

My mechanic friend is pretty good but I just started a new job and don't have the cash to pay someone to do the repairs right now unless I do them myself. I'm a pretty decent gearhead and I think that I can do the repairs myself if I can pinpoint the problem. I just don't know at this point? Crank bearings? Bent push rod? Poor oil pressure due to the pick up screen being partially clogged?

 

Drive it until it breaks then I will know what it is ? Start saving for a rebuilt short block?

 

My friend said that same thing about them all making a little noise. What worries me is how bad the noise is when I first crank it. Almost sounds like a bad dry start ? Anyway, any suggestions for troubleshooting tips to figure it out is definitely appreciated.

 

I had one that would do that s but only if it sat for a week or more.... like all the oil drained off the top end of the motor... it did this for 60k miles after rebuild until I finally sold it not to long ago.... never gave any trouble but would be loud at startup especially when it was colder!!

 

Exactly what mine is doing! But I don't want to sell it!

 

I didn't sell for that reason I just sold it bc I had quit driving it. I sold it to a buddy he still drives everyday.... I wouldn't worry just keep oil in it... I switched over to running rotella 15w40 which I run in everything as lol by as t don't get real cold where your at it's a good thick oil that coats well!!

 

I thought that the Lucas oil additive would help. It did a little. I already bought the oil pan gasket so I might as well use it and see what is lurking in the black lagoon.
And I live in Florida so no worries. Might try Mobile 5w30 full synthetic after I put the pan back. Thanks for the replies.

 

this is normal in the 22re engine, FYI I used the Bosch platinum single electrode spark plugs and the engine is quieter and smoother than the NGK V power plugs that were supposed to be the best.

 

That's the NGK plugs I installed when I bought the truck.
And on that note, since the dash gauge assembly was replaced with a SR-5 model, I'm sure that the truck has higher miles than the odometer says with the worn out timing chain. Anyone have any recommendations for the best manufacturer of a complete new engine with a good warranty and does quality control on their motors?

 

I wouldn't go with a synthetic thin weight oil.... that's not what these older motors are designed for... just my opinion though

 

if its just the timing chain then I would replace the timing chain and new metal guides and water pump.i did this with mine and its a whole new truck again. mine also had the ticking noise but since I used the Bosch platinums its simmered down a lot and seems smoother accelerating, a lot of peeps say not to use other than denso or ngk but in my engine the bosch seem to run smoother.

 

I replaced everything that I took off to get to the timing chain. I couldn't believe that they put plastic chain guides in this motor!

 

Any recommendations? I live in Florida. I always put one quart of Lucas oil stabilizer and Castrol GTX in everything I drive.

 

What brand was the timing kit?

Did you torque the tensioner to the correct ftlbs?

Do not use that oil pan gasket, only use FIPG or The Right Stuff.

What brand oil filters are you using?

Adjust valve lash to 7 and 11 when cold. Never hot on 22res as some rockers will be hotter than others.

 

If you have the inclination and the tools, pickup a used 22re and rebuild it yourself. Have a machine shop do the bore. They will even do the bottom end assembly if you want(crank/rods/pistons). All the rest is just going step by step thru the FSM.

Only run the toyota headgasket and torque to 65.

Ask the machine shop if they recommend certain pistons/rings. If they do not, make sure and run NPR nitride steel rings and if you cant find them Hastings cast rings(i think 4216).

 

I

I used this kit:
NEW TK10120TCWPOP HD Timing Chain Kit (2 Heavy Duty Metal Guides & Bolts) with Timing Cover, Water Pump, & Oil Pump / 85-95 Toyota 2.4L 4Runner Pickup Celica SOHC 8-Valve Engine 22R 22RE 22REC

$127 CNS HD Timing Chain Kit (2 Heavy Duty Metal Guides & Bolts) with Timing Cover, Water Pump, & Oil Pump compatible with 85-95 Toyota 2.4L 4Runner Pickup Celica SOHC engine 22R 22RE 22REC

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IXVGM3M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_-vQpzb5AG7WDT
I torqued to whatever it said.I think it was 14ftpd? So that it wouldn't warp the tensioner.
I already bought a Felpro pan gasket and they won't take it back since I opened the box.
I have been using Fram oil filters.
I tried adjusting the valves before I installed the timing chain. I read that I was supposed to do it hot at normal operating temperature? Hmmm?