engine rattling help needed

[masterzeke7]

So recently I just bought my first T4R, it's a 1994 4runner 3.0 V6 4WD 5spd manual. I bought it with a replaced headgasket from a guy on CL and everything was fine on the truck. I replaced the shocks all the way around the two rear springs in the back and it has new sparkplugs and wires, new full synthetic oil, all new gear oil in all the transfer cases including the transmission.

Recently there has been a coolant leak and I couldnt figure out where it was coming from. My friend looked at it and said it was the heating line going to the rear. Well I didnt think that was the problem as I have had an engine rattling noise recently. When I got to work today my engine was slightly steaming and I figured out where the coolant leak was coming from.

It appears to be near the passenger side near the firewall on the back of the engine block. Not sure what is there as I dont know anything about engines. The rattling that is coming from the truck is only when I am idling at stop lights or such things as soon as the rpms get over 2500-3k it seems to go away. It is progressively getting worse and I cant figure out what is going on. My temp gauge is fine. Oil pressure seems fine. Everything else is the same except this rattling. It worries me as this is my DD and if it breaks down I am SOL. Any more info you guys need I can get. Any advice or clues about whats going on would be great as I can start digging into this problem
Thanks guys

 

[masterzeke7]

bump

So 50 people have viewed my problem not one of you has any idea what my problem could be? i was really relying on you guys to come up with something just to help me steer myself in the right direction. Again any help would be nice. Thanks

 

[4runner_kid]

Welcome to the forum.

Where is this noise coming from? The front of the motor? Back? Side? Might be your idler pulley, or water pump.

 

[masterzeke7]

The noise sounds like its coming from the back part of the engine on the passenger side. My friend thinks that the coolant leak that I have back there is from the heating lines and that the noise Im getting is just some loose piece of plastic. I am not so sure because it seems to be getting worse. Also it feels my enging has lost power recently as well as when I take off It sputters than jumps to life. Takes a lot of clutch and gas to take off smoothly and Im not new to a clutch so I know its not me. thanks for your help

 

[fourwd1]

Why don't you pressure test the cooling system.
That should show you the source of any leaks.

 

[T-Dubya]

I had the same rattling problem. Check your exhaust heat shield, just kinda tap on it with your finger in different spots, a bolt on mine had come loose. there are a few little coolant hoses back there, find someplace that will do a coolant pressure test wherever its leaking will start spewing when pressurized. hope this helps, and good luck.

 

[masterzeke7]

Thanks for those of you who replied. I am working on it near the end of the month here as I am over paranoid that if i keep driving it I could wreck the engine. This SUV is mostly my DD so cant risk damaging it. What kind of place would do a coolant pressure check? cost? also as I have been looking around I think it might be my Catalyctic converter that is making the noise. When I idle its loud which are the pieces rattling around but as I go into gear and more speed the pieces get suctioned to the back of the Cat. As for the coolant leak it seems to be very miniscule and it only leaks when I drive over 30 miles at a time. I have had the truck parked for the last week or so and no coolant or oil or any types of leaks so the leak seems to be something with moving parts which would explain my friends thought for being my heating lines or heater core near the back passenger side firewall. Any other suggestions or anything would be much appreciated. Thanks guys