tapping noise

[Bakerboy]

My tercel has developed a tapping noise. My first inclination was the valves but I'm not sure. What are my options guys?

[Neu]

not a lot of information. Can you record the sound? Upload it.

I had a wrist pin go out and ruin the engine.

[takza]

Could be the fuel pump if it tends to do it cold and then it goes away hot.

[Bakerboy]

Ok, I checked the fuel pump and also readjusted the valves, but still tapping. I'm starting to get a bad feeling that I may have a serious internal problem.

[Petros]

Make sure it is coming from the engine (use a long screw driver and press your ear against the handle and the other end to various parts of the engine to find the source of the noise). After the valve adjustment, check for an exhaust leak up near the head. Sometimes the exhaust pulse can sound like a tapping sound. If your cam is damage or worn badly, or one of the rockers, it could make a tapping sound, though this is not common. Also I have my shift lever "tapping" when I do not put my hand on it (it rattles back and forth when the engine is idling).

Most of the other things that cause tapping get expensive. I once had a piston skirt fail and the piston rocked back and forth when it ran, burned oil like crazy, made a "clopping" sound, but yet it still ran! Rod knock means you need bearings, they are inexpensive but there is no easy way to get to the bearings because of the trans and cross member, you have to pull the engine.

good luck