1993 Toyota 4x4 Pickup! Engine Knock?

I didn't find a Forum for the 1993 so am posting here, hope it's OK!

My question is, I have a knock in the engine that sounds like it's up near the top of motor or intake manifold. It isn't a ticking sound like a lifter, rocker arm or exhaust manifold leak. It's more of a hard knock, at idle it's not as noticeable but as engine revs it gets very loud. I will be doing some investigating this weekend but was hoping someone may have had this issue & could share a general direction to consider. The engine does have 250,000+ miles but still runs strong. It's a V6 3.0 motor! Thank You!

ElkNut1

 

Hey guys if this is the wrong Forum for this truck year & question can someone please direct me to the correct one, thanks!

ElkNut/Paul

 

Could try in here.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/toyota-trucks-suvs.20/

Sorry I can't offer any help. I hope you get it figured out!

 

The V6 in these blows head gaskets like it’s cool. Good luck, hopefully it’s more simple than that.

 

I wouldn't be terribly surprised to hear a 3VZ-E bit the dust. They're possibly the least reliable Toyota motor of the last 35ish years. They're known for having constant head gasket plagues due to a poor exhaust routing design that traps heat near the #6 cyl.

I'd check your oil for signs of coolant mixed in, and vice versa. A loss in oil pressure will take out bearings rather rapidly.

 

Thatbassguy -- Thanks bud!

I will look into that but the truck runs good, no over heating, no water in oil or indication it's that? No doubt anything's possible but why the heavy knock if it's a head gasket?

ElkNut/Paul

 

Any change in the sound from cold to fully warm? Does it at idle or under load or both?

 

Sounding like a typical type of high mileage knock. I think what they're saying is that it might not be worth it to repair or even look into, but I'd lean a little your way on this. If all the fluids are remaining good and clean, may just be a little high tolerance in a cylinder or crank or internal component. Just basing on what you've shared and assuming that is all that is wrong (usually a no-no but oh well), I'd be tempted to try some thicker high quality engine oil but thicker viscosity at operating temp. Not ambient temp. Like a Rotella 5w-40 or if you know you consume a little already(likely with your beast) try the conventional white bottle rotella 15w-40. But seeing elk in your name makes me think you might be in cold weather country, so the 5w-40. But I'd see if thicker oil quiets it down, just to help pinpoint what's going on. Another thing you can do is pull spark plugs and with a lighted end borescope take a peek in the cylinders and see if you see any funny wear or stuff that doesn't look right. And seeing or knowing that crap can help you form a plan too