Knocking noise

[rdimpulser6]

Here's the deal

92 truck with 22re motor no air, no nothing. Automatic. Had a Overheating problem Changed the radiator, hoses, temp gauge sensor, water pump. I was losing coolant, white smock out the tailpipe.. Advice said that Headgasket blown. Changed Headgasket. Started right up, but now have knocking noise. Advice was to pull the spark plug boots off one cylinder at a time to see if knocking went away, could be timing.. It didn't work, knocking stayed.. More advice said it could be the spacers between 2&3 cylinder rocker arms. Checked those and there is no wear causing misalignment.

Friend checked for valve clearance and said it was fine. The knocking noise started right after we replaced everything. Noise sounds like it is coming from the top end.

Please Help. Don't know what else to do.

[ArknSpark]

Greetings, I had a similar situation. I chased my tail for a couple of days wondering what in the world could be wrong. Finally I woke up at 3 AM one morning and realized what I had done. While you had your timing chain off, did you move either the crankshaft pulley or the cam shaft gear to achieve top dead center? If you moved one without moving the other, you probably bent a valve. Mine was the #3 exaust valve. Just a thought, good luck

[rdimpulser6]

Didn't move anything and was very meticulous about it. I didn't even remove the cam sprocket from the chain.

[jarrodH]

rdimpulser6: i dont know if you'll read this, but did you ever figure out the problem? i have the same exact truck and same exact problem as you, 92 22-re automatic. I too had an overheating problem, replaced head gasket, thermostat, hoses, water pump. Truck starts and runs fine except for a knocking noise that sounds like its coming from the top end. At first it was just a little and thought it needed a valve adjustment, so i did one. Knocking still there. I left it running, came back from the store, knocking became very loud.

Im not sure what it is. I was wondering if you ever came up with a solution (or if anyone else has one). Im thinking maybe trying another valve adjustment because ive never been that good at them, so maybe i messed it up. Another thought is maybe my timing is off causing detonation, and i should adjust my timing. Or since my truck has been sitting for months without being driven, maybe the gas has gone bad and the engine is not taking it well?? hmm could also be lifter sticking... btw, does anyone know if 22re lifters are hydrolic, my dad asked me, but i dont know the difference.

If anyone could help, it would be appreciated. Im going to go fix some minor problems tomorrow. Gotta go buy some more coolant, oil, and tranny fluid, as well as some high pressure hose, clamps, and a new radiator cap. Maybe after that stuff is in i can tinker with it some more.

[rdimpulser6]

Yeah I solved the problem. I didn't change the headbolts and reused the old ones. My headholts might have stretched out. Also on another forum site (I beleive I read it on yotatech.com) many of the members said the torque setting for the headbolts is not strong enough.This does not allow for complete seal at the head and block. I didn't change my headbolts, but just torqued the crap out of them. If you can, change the bolts. I recommend it for peace of mind. I'm going to change mine out whenever funds allow me to. I suggest getting the grade 8 headbolts from, I think AARP. The won't stretch and are reusable if the gasket ever goes again. I haven't had a problem with it ever since and I have about a 50 mile round trip commute for work. Hope this helps.

[jarrodH]

ahh, no i did replace the headbolts when i replaced the head gasket. I always replace them whatever vehicle i do that on. I cant quite remember the torque specs i used, but they were the same specs i used the first time i torqued new head bolts down after replacing some bent valves (broken timing chain) and i didnt seem so have a knocking problems then (at least not that i remember).

Im going to go work on it now, going to add some octane booster to the gas to see if it might just be detonation from higher compression after the shop milled my head. If not, ive got a can of sea spray im gonna throw into the crankcase.

[banshee35]

Did you ever find out where the noise was coming from? I've got a tapping/knocking noise in the top end too. Mine seems to be coming from the rear(3&4 cyl) area. Everthing is fine in the valve train, Valve adjustment is spot on. Any idears? I'm worried that its piston related , god I hope not.

[rdimpulser6]

My noise came from the same place. I read on another forum that the torque specs for the head gasket were not tight enough (I beleive it was yotatech.com). I got the truck from a family member who didn't want to deal with it and he said he had the head gasket replaced. Well what happened, whoever did it didn't put it on torque it down hard enough. So when I took it apart seemed okay. I replaced the necessary parts, but went by the toyota specs and had the same problem. I could have probablyd save time and money if I just torqued the crap out of the head bolts to begin within, but I have peace of mind now. Just remember to torque them down in order. Another thing is to replace the headbolts. I didn't which is what my problem was. One or more of the bolts may have stretched, but they are fine now. There were a couple of theories as to the knocking. Timing, part placement, valve lash was checked and double checked. Since the head was not on tight enough, there may have been a slight gap in between the head and block cause the explosion in the cylinder escape through here causing you to hear a knocking noise. I even compared it to lose valve lash to hear the valve knocking on the rocker arms and it sounds a little different. So most likely you may just have to torque the bolts down more.