I dunno... 88K is a mite early for guides. Possible, but... and you said you see them there. And if they are really gone its not gonna be quiet when its cold and only for a few seconds on startup. I could be mistaken but I would suspect based on your hot/cold experience that
1) 5W30 is a tad light for the 22RE. Try 10W30
2) Your oil filter's anti-drainback doesn't. Mine neither. You could do much better than Fram though.
3) Change the oil, filter, and drive it - and don't worry.

Last edited by Bill_Morgan; 10/07/04 10:51 PM.
-Bill
'87 4Runner w/ '96 5VZ-FE, 'Red Chili II'
'97 Taco XtraCab 3RZ-FE, 'BlackBean'
TLCA # 13257, Rising Sun 4x4 Club Land Use Coordinator
"He who stops being better stops being good." -Oliver Cromwell