1987 Toyota Cressida Nerve-Splitting Rattle

504-Cressida · Posted at Sun Mar 08, 2009 4:13 pm

Noises problem
1987 Toyota Cressida 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 158000 miles

Hello,
When I am accelerating up a hill or general incline, my Cressida produces a rattling sound that chills my blood
(? repair $$$). Unless I really gun it, the car can't make it up a hill above 30mph. The rattle doesn't sound much worse than when it first started about a year ago. I have not had any luck getting my mechanic or any mechanic to give me a diagnosis. This deep guttural rattle seems to come straight from the center of the hood, either engine or chasis. This car does leak some oil onto the top of the engine, but has regular oil changes and other routine maintenance.
Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Extrudedcow · Posted at Sun Mar 15, 2009 4:54 pm

The 5m-ge is more than capable of pulling the Cressida up a hill when running properly.

I would compile a list of all maintenance that's been done in the last two years, and start with any ignition system maintenance that's been neglected (replacing spark plugs, distributor cap and rotor, wires). Something is robbing your motor of significant power, and identifying that will likely resolve the rattling.