3SGE top end noise?

[sillycar chick]

My dad has a ST162 with a 3SGE in it, and we're trying to figure out a strange noise that seems to be coming from the top end.

When the hasnt been started for a few days, there is a top end rattle, but once oil pressure builds up (a few seconds) the noise disappears.
Sometimes when cruising with no load, noise comes in around 2000rpm, it sounds like a top end rattle, but sometimes comes in at 3 or 4K rpm, but doesnt stay there all the time.

Anything below 2500rpm there is no noise. There is no noise under load.

Any suggestions as to what this could be? Nothing abnormal is showing up on the oil pressure gauge. I have suggested he uses a YZZD2 toyota filer rather than the aftermarket one he is using, so he'll go get one tomorrow.

We wanted to find out if anyone on here has had this problem with a 3S before, if its a well known issue, as we dont have much experience with them, and dont want to go pulling the head off until we know what our options are.

Thanks!

["Z" UTE]

The most common "top end rattle" in a 3S is generally the timing belt tensioner. When was the belt last changed? Other than that, there could be some wear problems in the valve train, pop the rocker cover off and inspect the cam lobes.

cheers Chuck.

[Celica RA45]

it sounds like the oil is draining back into sump after it hasnt been running for a few days
i think toyota has a valve in the oil filter to stop drain back ,and i dont think the GUD 1s or ryco do
so the noise is either piston slap or bigends dry to oil pressure builds up
also check water pump and alternator as well as they sometimes get weird noises and check the idle bearing on the cam belt as well

[sillycar chick]

Cool thanks guys we'll check all those out

[Dale]

1st noise is just oil pressure building up, most likely dry bigends as mentioned above... mine used to do it on a dead cold start too

2nd noise... is it definitely not pinging? They tend to very lightly ping under light throttle when cruising along sometimes

[Jt_70R]

dont discount the good old gen 1 3S spun big end bearing either. Although if the engine is in alright nick and hasnt been thrashed, it would be pretty unlikely.

[sillycar chick]

Dad said he's been putting 98 octane in and doesnt think it could be pinging....
He's been crook so hasnt bought an oil filter yet, and he's also going to check his valve clearances. I think he's a bit concerned it could be valve recession though...

[af300e]

Hmm, valve recession closes up the clearances so I'd be surprised if that was the prob. Also causes hard hot starting, are you having that sort of prob?

No noise under load and noise when cruising could very well mean a big end.

Therefore, if it is a deep engine machanical prob, I'm tipping big end. I hope I'm wrong for your sake.

I've owned a car that had a noise zachery like the one you describe and it turned out to be a worn big end bearing, excessive clearance caused a knocking/tapping. When it finally spun the bearing, I knew it (squeaking rather than knocking).

(Hope it's something in the cam belt system, far cheaper )