Hey guys,

lately my 4Runner makes a really loud rattling noise while standing and in D (everytime!). At the same time the oil pressure sinks below the min. line. As soon as I hit the gas, it's gone and the oil pressure is back to normal, although a bit low (shortly above min.). When I shift to N or P while standing the noise is more silent. With the noise there's a lot of vibration, especially the dashboard.
From the inside the noise seem to come from the transmission (transmission fluid is full). Tried to locate it from the outside and from underneath, couldn't find a rattling noise.
After the last oil change the noise was gone for a few days but then it came back. For this reason and the low oil pressure, I suspect dirty hydraulic valve lifters.(?)

Could it be the differential? I think the differential bearing is a bit loose.
Could it any of the 4wd shafts, which haven't been greased in a long time?

Grateful for help and suggestions! Cheers!
My Eleanor is a 89, 2nd generation, automatic with a 4Y-E engine.

its not a diff problem. if the the oil pressure is low, check the oil first. if its full then you either have a plugged oil passage, bad bearings or a failing oil pump. at least thats what i think anyway.

This really sounds like the timing chain symptoms that are really common with 4cyl toyota engines when it's time to change the timing chain.

The one question I have is about the 4ye engine. I just checked wiki and it says that the 4ye is normally put in the Toyota High Ace and Town Ace vans.

Your engine should be the 22re unless it was changed at some point. Just look at the top of your valve cover and it should say 22re

If the rattling is the timing chain I would recommend a timing kit with a steel guide by engnbldr.com (he sells on ebay too). You can also buy a timing kit with a oil pump, water pump, timing cover from him, which is what I did.

Oil pressure does tend to be low on 4runners. I run mobil 1 15w50 synthetic oil in summer and mobil 1 10w40 synthetic in winter and my oil pressure improved from the conventional 10w30 plus I can get more miles with synthetic and better protection.

I've posted a number of times about the timing chains so you can search for it

Sometimes there are a few spots on the driveway beneath the vehicle. I tried to locate a leak and let the engine run for 20min on the spot, without any oil coming out. It doesn't consume more oil than it did before (a little sip every 5000km).

I will look into the changing of the timing chain. Eleanor is due to inspection next week so I will ask my mech about it, too.

The V6 engine was replaced by the current 4Y-E by the previous owner about 14000km (~9000miles) ago for consumption reasons.
It seems to be a very common thing here in Australia (so my mech) and the 4Y-E engine is also described in my owner's manual.

To prevent sludge formation, I use the Nulon 40-70 extra thick oil (Aussi brand, I guess).

Thanks for your replies so far!