Gen 4 3SGTE bottom end

**3sgte** · 13-11-2007, 03:12 AM

Anyone ever had one apart?
Specifically, I would like to know if I need to remove both oil pans to pull the cap for the front main bearing.

I have one with a mystery rattle that sounds like it is in the bottom end.

Accessory drive belt tension has an effect. Tighter equals louder.
Noise is loudest cold, under load between 1400 and 1800 RPM.

It is not rod bearings, and it is definitely not in the top end.
Here's a short video:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...28214664&hl=en

**twentyEight** · 13-11-2007, 09:20 AM

Gen 4 is the Beams, yes?

Celica RA45 has had several apart, send him a PM... I'm sure he'll be able to help...

**3sgte** · 13-11-2007, 09:29 AM

Originally Posted by twentyEight

Gen 4 is the Beams, yes?

Celica RA45 has had several apart, send him a PM... I'm sure he'll be able to help...

Thanks for the tip. The 3STGE is not beams, unfortunately it does not have VVT.

**twentyEight** · 13-11-2007, 09:45 AM

Whoops... I didn't even notice the "T"...

The Gen 4 3S-GTE is from the ST215, yes?

Celica RA45 has pulled apart Beams 3S's, so it won't be what you're looking for...

**3sgte** · 13-11-2007, 09:52 AM

It is from a Caldina, yes.

There is a good chance the oil pan is similar/same. (2-piece type)

**horse** · 13-11-2007, 11:03 AM

is this of any help?

http://www.toymods.net/forums/showpo...4&postcount=20

gen3 3sgte sump. AFAIK same as gen4

beams sump is the same except it has a cutout area for the CAS

**3sgte** · 13-11-2007, 02:36 PM

It is helpful.
However, it looks like the pressure relief valve is in the way of pulling that first main bearing cap off.

Also, somewhat unrelated, but I believe there is also a large baffle which extends down from the block (not shown in your pictures). Considering this, it probably isn't going to happen without pulling both pans.

**horse** · 13-11-2007, 02:44 PM

yeah i'm missing the windage tray in those pics sorry i forgot to mention that. Might be better that you pull the whole pan out anyway

O/T but how do you find the gen4 3sgte?

**Celica RA45** · 13-11-2007, 04:17 PM

windage tray is bolted to block ,could be loose, and if you need to take big ends and mains off to look at bearings you need to take both sump and pan off ,check to see if cam timming is ok and then check for seized water pump ,idler pulley or tensioner pulley .also when reving motor put screw driver to area and use the other end to your ear to find out where it is coming from ,thats all i could give you from listening to your little video

**3sgte** · 13-11-2007, 11:21 PM

da_horse:
It is from an auction car with 97,000 KMS on it (behind an A/T).

Celica RA45:
Noise is loudest from A/C compressor bracket. I had the compressor off to check that the bolts for the bracket were tight.
Waterpump and idlers were new at purchase, they appear to be Toyota items. It makes power like no-one's business. Way nicer than my previous first gen 3SGTEs.
I have already done the screwdriver test, that is how I narrowed down the location of the noise. The noise is definitely not in the top end. The noise is definitely not rods or piston related.

I have done more than my share of motors, I have seen "engine noises" from bad rod bearings, pistons, piston pin bushings, cam journals, rings, scissors gears, cracked flex plates, lifter buckets, shims, 1ZZ accessory belt idlers, cracked manifolds, TVIS screws, water pumps, etc.

Having said that, this noise is a weird one.

I have only seen a bad front main bearing (alone, without other failures) once, that was on a 1UZ. Noise was evident when cold, just like mine. It could be something related to the AC compressor bracket, but unless there is a problem unique to this generation engine (that I missed), I already checked that.

Thanks for your suggestions. They are appreciated.

P.S.
Sorry for venting, I'm just a little frustrated!