Toyota Repair: toyota 4runner engine noise, 5 million miles, toyota 4runner

Question
I'm considering buying a 95 4runner, the engine has a loud tapping noise that seems to be coming from the top of the engine, Is that the lifters making that sound?,and if so how much would it cost to repair the problem?

Answer
John,
How many miles? Find a different 4runner to buy, there's plenty of them out there, and you can get one cheap because of the gas prices.
Someone ran the engine low on oil, or overheated it, or the oil pump is weak, or its got 5 million miles on it. That noise is NOT good, worn parts in the valve train, only start of worse things like bearings going bad on the bottom end.

Tim