RAN ENGINE DRY. NOW VALVE TICK

Hey guys,

I bought a 1997 4runner after selling my 2000 tacoma (tired of a singlecab). Posted here because i know you tacoma guys have the same 3.4L and might have experienced this:

I had the timing belt done, and the mechanic changed the oil while he was at it. Fastforward ~2000 miles, I get a low oil pressure light in the morning. I go ahead and check the dipstick and the oil isnt even registering. I go to train the oil and there's barely a god damn liter that comes out.

Anyways, I quickly dump about 6L in there and fire her up. All of the sudden i've got some kind of ticking noise.

Noise is here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aVSHe2s1tk

For reference, it's a 3.4L with about 195k miles on it. It ticks at idle and increased with RPMs. If I add a half liter of oil to the crank case it'll quiet down for just a bit before coming back again. From just looking under the oil cap, I'm going to assume that the PO wasn't too vigilant with his oil changes...

So bummed. I JUST bought this thing. Anyways, before I start throwing money at it, I want to know what you guys think. Is this a lost cause? Should I drop the pan and replace the bearings? Is this something I can remedy under the valve covers?

Suggestions and opinions welcomed.

Thanks

 

No bueno amigo! It's difficult to figure out where the noise is coming from in a few second sound byte, but if this is as a result of what the mechanic did, I'd be paying him a visit. Was there a ticking noise prior to going to the mechanic?

You may want to go down and let him listen to your sound clip but I wouldn't drive it. If he wants to see the truck you may have to tow or trailer it down.

Alot of things can happen as a result of oil starvation and none of them are good. My 1st guess is valve train but may be the start of a rod bearing going south.

 

Sounds alot like one of VR6 volkswagens right before it spun a bearing due to no oil
sorry for the negative vibes!

 

I would definitely pay the mechanic a visit. If he's a decent and trusting guy, he just might fix the issue. Worth a try.