Toyota Repair: Rattling/2001 Toyota Camry, lucas oil additive, valve cover gasket

Question
QUESTION: Hi Ted,

Thank you for your generosity helping people, including me.

I'm also an "expert" on AllExperts so if you ever have a need for help with conflict, behavior or relationships, I'm happy to help too.

My 2001 Toyota Camry started rattling every time I accelerated up to 60 MPH. I took it into the shop and they said it was low on oil and that was likely the problem. They replaced a fuel filter during this time (unrelated I realize and a PV? to stop oil from leaking?). That didn't fix the problem.

I went back a few days later, paid for a diagnostic, more oil (they said the oil was dirty again) and some Lucas oil additive and they then said the issue was needing new valve lifters (a $ 750 repair).

Now, I'm not so sure they know what the problem is and a few hundred dollars later I still have the loud rattling from the engine upon initial acceleration and then with subsequent acceleration up to 60 MPH, where the noise isn't quite as bad.

Would really like to fix it if it's not an expensive repair. The car has 170 K miles on it now and I my income has taken a serious hit.

What do you think Ted?

Thanks again, very much.

Michael

ANSWER: Hello, so ae you saying they charged you $750 to replace valve lifter which didn't fix the problem? Did they offer any other suggestions after that? I have had to replace valve lifters so i can see why that would not fix it, it's hard to make an assesment without hearing the noise but engine noises usually mean an expensive repair is in the near future. Is this noise also there when accelerating the engine out of gear?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Ted,

To answer your question, I didn't have to pay $ 750 for lifters. That was the recommendation and quote after the second visit within a couple of days.

Initially, they said the rattling was due to very low oil. I paid $ 300 for an oil change (unrelated obviously), valve cover gasket and PCV valve.

With the rattling still happening every time I accelerated, sometimes loudly, I went back to the shop a couple of days later and I paid another $ 70 for a scan and read, more oil and some Lucas oil additive.

The engine still rattles.

What do you think, Ted?

Michael

Answer
It sounds like the connecting rod bearings are causing the noise, they may have been damaged when the engine became low on oil. The mechanics that are actually able to hear the noise what are they telling you it is, adding oil and oil treatments is obviously not the solution.