Engine knock/rattle vs. fuel injectors??? Any help?, Video and description... Options

[celicakitten]

So I've had my car for three months now and still cannot figure out what this noise is! I'm by no means a mechanic but have common sense around cars, celicas inparticular. It's a mostly stock 7a-fe with 194k and 5 spd tranny. The car runs fine, and since I've had her changed the oil, spark plugs/wires, exhaust manifold/down pipe(original was cracked), and have had no other problems...not even a check engine light. I can't find anything loose that would rattle, but there is a significant power steering fluid leak.

http://youtu.be/FOrH0HC7l5w

Please see the video I put on youtube to hear the noise, which is most notable on a cold start and anytime I'm constantly holding revs over 2500rpms, but will stop if I floor the gas or let off it completely...It's very annoying on the freeway(but isn't noticable with the radio on! ha!). I'm thinking maybe a bad piston ring, or possibly something in the fuel injectors??? I should also say the noise does seem to emit from the passanger side of the engine bay. I'm worried it may be time for a rebuild as I do not know how the previous owners treated her. If that is the case my biggest challenge would be finding someone I trust to do the work, but I'm sure you guys can help point me in the right direction for that!

[Smaay]

^^^ since you have a ST you should upgrade to a V6, not a crappy 3S-GTE that is too expensive.

now back on topic. Erynns car did the exact same thing. when i pulled it apart, this is what i found.



all the bearings looked like this. luckily the crankshaft was fine. it just needed a polish and it cleaned up perfectly.

[celicakitten]

^^^ since you have a ST you should upgrade to a V6, not a crappy 3S-GTE that is too expensive.

now back on topic. Erynns car did the exact same thing. when i pulled it apart, this is what i found.



all the bearings looked like this. luckily the crankshaft was fine. it just needed a polish and it cleaned up perfectly.

Smaay, I read your thread on Erynn's rebuild and it's amazing, I really wish I had the tools and the time to do it myself! From your experience how much should I truly be looking to pay someone to do that for me, and would you advise any work on the transmission while in there? Also since you're in So. Cal you wouldn't happen to know a good mechanic anywhere near(within 300miles) Las Vegas that would do such work?! I wish I had the money for a v6 swap! But I'm trying to keep my costs as low as possible. Actually I am torn between just driving her till it goes and then swapping a rebuilt engine in, or just rebuilding now before it gets worse. I'm having a tough time finding a mechanic here I can trust to do the rebuild and I haven't got a quote from the dealer yet but I'm sure they will be even more $$$ than I should be spending. Any help/ideas would be appreciated!

This post has been edited by celicakitten: Sep 19, 2012 - 12:56 AM